Program History & Achievements
Hunter and Central Coast Regional Weed Strategy 2010 - 2015
Development of the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Weeds Management Strategy (the Strategy) was initiated by the Regional Weed Management Professional Team that comprises representatives from each of the Lower Hunter and Central Coast Councils and the Upper Hunter Weeds Authority. The Strategy was compiled by the Regional Weeds Strategist and the HCCREMS team, with the assistance of key stakeholders including member councils, Upper Hunter Weeds Authority, Industry and Investment NSW and the Hunter - Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
The Strategy provides the overriding framework to manage weeds on a strategic landscape scale through coordination in planning, investment and operational activities on a regional basis across landscapes, land management boundaries (irrespective of tenure) and local control authority jurisdictions.
To do so, the Strategy identifies five key objectives. These are:
| Objective 1 |
Ensure effective weed management coordination and collaboration across land management responsibilities and land tenures to reduce the impact of weeds in the region |
| Objective 2 |
Identify and prioritise knowledge gaps to improve effective management and scientific understanding of weed issues in the region |
| Objective 3 |
Strategically increase the awareness and capacity of community and stakeholders to undertake effective and coordinated weed management initiatives across the region |
| Objective 4 |
Implement early detection and treatment strategies for new weed incursions
Implement works program to address high priority landscapes and high priority natural assets on natural assets throughout the region |
| Objective 5 |
Improve and standardise data capture techniques, monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes |
Sixteen strategic management recommendations and forty nine implementation actions detailed within the Strategy aim to deliver on these objectives for the Hunter - Central Coast region. These recognise and build upon the significant work already carried out by local councils, state agencies and community groups. These recommendations have been formulated with significant input from councils, agency personnel and industry specialists.
The strategy and Implementation Plan were endorsed by all councils in August 2010
Determining the risk of weed species to landscapes in the Hunter and Central Coast region
The economic cost of managing weed infestation outstrips available resources. Due to their being limited resources to control weeds, it is essential to have some form of risk assessment process to inform management priorities, strategies and resource allocation. Additionally the dynamic nature of weed distribution makes for an ongoing project of continual evaluation.
The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Weed Strategy 2010 – 2015 identifies six landscape within the region. A particular weed species may present more, or less, of a threat depending upon the actual landscape in which it is growing. Therefore central to strategy is the identification of priority weed species within each landscape unit.
Post 2007 Flood Aquatic Weed Control Program
Extensive and intense flooding in the Hunter region during the June 2007 storm events caused substantial damage to thousands of properties and affected major infrastructure. The storm and flooding that occurred also impacted on environmentally sensitive and agricultural areas, particularly properties along the Hunter River, Hexham Swamp and surrounding environs, and Lake Macquarie Foreshore and its major creek systems. Widespread flooding also affected much of the Port Stephens and Maitland Council areas which consist of a series of interconnecting wetlands and flood prone land.
From a weed management perspective, there were serious concerns that the nature and extent of the flooding had potential to contribute to the further spread of Alligator Weed (Alteranthera philoxeroides) onto adjoining land and downstream into major river systems, tributaries, wetlands and water bodies.
To address these concerns, the Regional Post Food Alligator Weed Control Project identified, mapped and effectively controlled approximately 121 hectares of new, regionally significant infestations established as a result of the floods. In particular, the project focused on newly infested areas where the weed had not previously been present.
The HCCREMS team managed the initiative with financial and technical support from the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Department of Primary Industries. Enormous success was realised through the cooperative efforts of all participating councils. The provision of local knowledge and technical expertise by all participants assisted with effective on-ground management strategies not previously achieved on this regional scale in the Hunter and Central Coast.
A Landscape Unit Based Approach to the Prioritisation of Alligator Weed
The first known records of this species (1946) are thought to have been from specimens growing in marshland near Carrington (Newcastle). Over time the weed has spread considerably within and throughout the region.
While a risk assessment of individual alligator weed infestations was previously carried out across both the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney regions (Chandrasena 2008), this work provided information only on the threat posed by separate Alligator Weed infestations on an individual basis. Because of the large number of infestations in the region however, an approach was required which would provide prioritise management strategies at the landscape level.
As such, a methodology for prioritising “Alligator Weed Management Units” has been developed. This methodology is based upon the assessment of various criteria including the potential for further spread, actual or likely impacts to biodiversity and the feasibility of effective management of the species. Development of this methodology was completed by HCCREMS with funding provided by the National Coordinator of the Aquatic Weeds of National Significance Management Group, administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Management of Salvinia molesta on the Wollombi Brook
It is unknown when Salvinia molesta was first recorded in the Wollombi Brook. However, large infestations were already present by the late 1980’s, and by 2005 Salvinia was recorded across 60-70% of the Brook.
In partnership with Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority, HCCREMS prepared a Regional Management Strategy for Salvinia molesta in the Wollombi Brook” and subsequent management control on both public and private properties.
The 2007 flood event reduced the extent and distribution of Salvinia throughout the Brook providing a unique opportunity to ensure that extensive Salvinia infestations do not reoccur in the future. At least twelve properties have been identified as containing Salvinia as a result of the 2007 flood event
Implementation of the strategy has included on-ground works and the mapping of Salvinia locations, providing an important tool in determining priority sites for control of the species.