Invasive Grasses Grant for Landholders
Sorell Council has secured a grant from the Weed Action Fund to support landholders to tackle the spread of highly invasive grasses within the Sorell municipality. The focus of this project is to address the increasing threat posed by four major invasive species: African Love Grass, African Feathertop, Chilean Needle Grass, and Serrated Tussock. These grasses are known for their aggressive growth, ability to outcompete native vegetation, and reduction of agricultural land productivity.
About the Invasive Grasses
- African Love Grass: A drought-tolerant grass that quickly establishes itself on disturbed or overgrazed land. It forms dense patches, reducing biodiversity and creating fire hazards due to its dry leaf litter.
- African Feathertop: Recognized by its tall, plume-like seed heads, this grass spreads rapidly and dominates native grasslands, making land unusable for agriculture and grazing.
- Chilean Needle Grass: This species poses a significant threat to pastures, producing sharp seeds that can cause injury to livestock and decrease pasture quality. It can easily spread via contaminated hay or machinery.
- Serrated Tussock: An aggressive weed that forms dense, impenetrable tussocks, severely reducing the grazing capacity of land. It has deep roots that make it difficult to control and costly to remove.
Project Goals and Scope
This project will cover 1,076 hectares of land. The primary goals are to survey and map the extent of these grasses, create awareness among the community, and develop management strategies to help landholders combat these weeds effectively. The project will provide a detailed understanding of how widespread these invasive species are and what measures can be taken to manage them.
Grant Allocation
The majority of the funding will be dedicated to education and awareness, ensuring that landholders and the broader community are well-informed about the dangers posed by these invasive grasses. This will include:
- Educational Workshops: To provide landholders with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, manage, and control invasive grasses on their properties.
- Awareness Campaigns: To inform the wider community about the importance of preventing the spread of these invasive species.
- Management Plans: Tailored plans will be developed for affected landholders, offering best-practice guidelines for controlling these weeds and restoring land productivity.
How You Can Get Involved
Understanding the extent of these invasive grasses is a crucial step in controlling their spread and protecting the environment and local agriculture. If you would like to learn more about these species, participate in workshops, or receive a management plan for your property, we encourage you to contact us.
