Caring for our Country grant to aid Alligator Weed control

Ninety-five percent of Australia's distribution of A. philoxeroides occurs in the Hunter/Central Coast, Hawkesbury and Nepean/Sydney regions. These have been identified by the Commonwealth as nationally core infestations needing control. To prevent additional spread, control of outlier infestations is important sites selected for control have already been subject to rigorous investigation and assessment processes to determine the risk of further weed distribution spread through water channels and floodplains, with corresponding impacts on vegetation communities and aquatic ecosystems.

This project is directly linked to major control priorities identified for the two regions (National Priority Action Frameworks (http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/alligatorweed). Collaboration by a range of stakeholders in recent years has strategically identified and prioritised control sites for Alligator Weed at the sub-catchment level.

The project will directly implement on-ground works to control priority regional outlier infestations, apply incentive based measures and landowner agreements and facilitate ongoing control and maintenance by the community. It will also build the capacity and involvement of indigenous participants to identify and manage Alligator Weed on their land and improve youth employment prospects.

The project will end in June 2013.