The highly invasive tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), the Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica), and Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) are the three invasive weeds that are being targeted by Rous County Council (RCC) with funding received through the Good Neighbours Program.
While all three plants have some medicinal and or food applications their presence in the wild in Australia represents a negative impact on Australian ecosystems, agriculture, and livestock management.
The funding of over $160,000 will be split between three programs that aim to strengthen biosecurity resilience by delivering coordinated on-ground control programs that benefit agriculture, biodiversity, and the broader community.
Rous’ Weed Biosecurity Team Leader, Rhett Patrick, welcomed the funding, describing the program as an important step forward for land management.
‘This initiative recognises the importance of building strong connections between public and private landholders,’ said Rhett Patrick.
‘Effective weed management depends on a united approach, and programs like this provide the resources and support needed to make that collaboration possible.’
Funding local projects
Three targeted weed control projects will be delivered with the newly secured funding:
- In Grady’s Creek (Kyogle Shire), Rous will lead a 12-month campaign to control the highly invasive tropical soda apple, working alongside landholders and community groups. The project has received $62,000 in funding and aims to significantly reduce the presence of this aggressive weed.
- In Uki (Tweed Shire), $33,792 will support the treatment of a two-hectare site infested with Chinese violet, preventing its spread to nearby properties and adjacent Wollumbin and Jerusalem National Parks. In addition to on-ground control, Rous will engage with the local community to promote best-practice weed management strategies.
- The third project will tackle Job’s tears across 30 properties in the Horseshoe Creek and Terrania Creek areas (Kyogle and Lismore Shires). With $68,736 in funding, the initiative will implement effective control measures to limit seed dispersal and protect downstream waterways and catchments.
Phillip Rudd, General Manager at Rous, highlighted the benefits these projects will have on local communities.
‘Each one of the projects addresses a real threat to our environment and landholders,’ said Phillip Rudd.
‘The support through Local Land Services’ Good Neighbours Program will help us to deliver practical and targeted action against these three invasive weeds in high-priority areas.’
To learn more about the Good Neighbours Program visit the Good Neighbours Program.
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