Sunshine Coast bushcare volunteer invents weapon for war against asparagus fern

Via ABC News.

In short: Queensland man Ron Gooch has invented a tool to fight the spread of the invasive asparagus fern, which is classed as a weed of national significance.
The Asparagus Assassin is now being used by five bushcare groups in the Noosa region.
What’s next? Mr Gooch hopes the Asparagus Assassin will be adopted by landcare groups around the country.

Full story here.

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Hawkesbury River County Council

2 weeks ago

HRCC was assisted by local volunteers in Bilpin to tackle an infestation of Banana passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana) prior to fruiting. The weed is thriving due to the rich soils and milder temperatures of Bilpin and Berambing and is being spread by birds. It is listed in our area as Local containment and this small effort is a start to suppressing this species on council roads.
Vines were skirted and sprayed during our working bee.
Please contact HRCC at inspections@hrcc.nsw.gov.au if you have seen this plant on your property or call 45749600.
Next year will see more efforts in tackling this weed.
Further information can be found at:
https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/BananaPassionfruit
Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network
Hawkesbury Bushcare
Hawkesbury City Council
Mountains for Wildlife, Hawkesbury - Blue Mountains

HRCC was assisted by local volunteers in Bilpin to tackle an infestation of Banana passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana) prior to fruiting. The weed is thriving due to the rich soils and milder temperatures of Bilpin and Berambing and is being spread by birds. It is listed in our area as Local containment and this small effort is a start to suppressing this species on council roads.
Vines were skirted and sprayed during our working bee.
Please contact HRCC at inspections@hrcc.nsw.gov.au if you have seen this plant on your property or call 45749600.

Next year will see more efforts in tackling this weed.
Further information can be found at:
weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/BananaPassionfruit
Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network
Hawkesbury Bushcare
Hawkesbury City Council
Mountains for Wildlife, Hawkesbury - Blue Mountains ... See MoreSee Less

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Hawkesbury River County Council

2 weeks ago

Recently HRCC received a Biosecurity Alert from Atlas of Living Australia for a priority weed called Broad leaf pepper.
This was recorded by a member of the community through an app called iNaturalist Australia. The person was able to get an identification from the photo suggestions and is also peered reviewed to confirm the identification.
This then triggered a Biosecurity Alert and the information that was captured triggered an email to be sent to HRCC for identification.
Once alerted staff attended the location being a council reserve in Penrith and correctly identified the weed. The weed control team then attended site to treat the plant.
Broad leaf pepper can cause allergic reactions from both the flowers and sap. If you suspect you have seen this plant, please contact inspections@hrcc.nsw.gov.au
More information can be found on the following link:
https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/BroadleafPepperTree
Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Greater Sydney Local Land Services Atlas of Living Australia iNaturalist.org

Recently HRCC received a Biosecurity Alert from Atlas of Living Australia for a priority weed called Broad leaf pepper.
This was recorded by a member of the community through an app called iNaturalist Australia. The person was able to get an identification from the photo suggestions and is also peered reviewed to confirm the identification.
This then triggered a Biosecurity Alert and the information that was captured triggered an email to be sent to HRCC for identification.
Once alerted staff attended the location being a council reserve in Penrith and correctly identified the weed. The weed control team then attended site to treat the plant.

Broad leaf pepper can cause allergic reactions from both the flowers and sap. If you suspect you have seen this plant, please contact inspections@hrcc.nsw.gov.au

More information can be found on the following link:
weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/BroadleafPepperTree

Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Greater Sydney Local Land Services Atlas of Living Australia iNaturalist.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Hawkesbury River County Council

3 weeks ago

As Christmas 🎄 approaches, so does the attack on Alligator Weed 🌱 . This effect is from a biocontrol released by HRCC known as the Flea Beetle. 🪲 🪲. Whilst it doesn’t eradicate the plant completely (no biocontrol will), it will help to contain it without the use of chemicals or labour. This picture is taken of Yarramundi Lagoon, but the beetle is present in most large water bodies that contain Alligator Weed. ... See MoreSee Less

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Hawkesbury River County Council

1 month ago

Not spreading weeds via your boats / kayaks is easy, follow these simple steps.... ... See MoreSee Less

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Hawkesbury River County Council

2 months ago

Weed control staff are currently managing an infestation of Chilean needle grass in Knudsen Reserve in Angus. This work requires a good eye to identify plants amongst other grass species. It produces a distinctive seed head that is purple in colour and used for positive identification. Further treatments are required to continue to manage this infestation as new plants germinate.

More information can be found on the following link:
weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Details/36

Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Greater Sydney Local Land Services Blacktown City Council ... See MoreSee Less

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