Recent climatic conditions have provided fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) with the perfect conditions to germinate and dominate local pasture.

Many local beef and dairy producers have lost the battle to contain the spread of this toxic weed, according to the association chairman Noel Watson who has been battling the fireweed menace since it started to spread in the district many years ago.

The association is now backing a biological control, that is importing some form of disease or insect that preys on fireweed in its native South Africa, as the only answer in the long run.

“Various methods of control that have given some temporary relief in the past have proved totally ineffective this season as fireweed tightens its grip on the valley,” Mr Watson said.

“Our local producers have struggled through many years of ongoing drought and lost production to now face, after the rains earlier in the year, a toxic yellow ‘drought’ potentially worse than that caused by the previous lack of rain.

“Many farmers are despairing with most reluctant to go into their paddocks to face the impact of this dreaded weed.”

Bega Valley Shire Council meanwhile has issued a few weed control and penalty notices, and although the battle may appear lost in some areas, landowners from the Tanja to the Murrah are now considered the front line in the battle.

Research program starts

The Bega Valley Fireweed Association was disappointed in the initial slow response from government to its call for action for research into a potential biological control for fireweed.

“The $300,000 pledged by our local Federal Member Mike Kelly in the lead up to the 2007 election was allocated just prior to the 2010 election,” committee member Tanya Rutter said.

The government tender for the Fireweed Control Research Project has been awarded to the University of New England under the direction of Prof Brian Sindel, Professor of Weed Science, Department of Agronomy and Soil Science - Environmental and Rural Science, she said.

The consultants are set to deliver:

• The establishment of a community consultation Steering Committee;

• A report on fireweed to assist the Australian Weeds Committee (AWC) assessment criteria for the Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) nomination process;

• A final report synthesising existing research and new practical research into fireweed ecology and impacts on agricultural productivity and biodiversity in Australia;

• A final report on investigation of potential biological control agents in South Africa;

• A communication plan to keep industry and community groups informed of research aims and progress and to help translate research findings into practical tools; and

• A national best practice management manual for fireweed.

The Steering Committee met for the first time at Armidale in August and BVFA chairman Noel Watson attended as a farmer representative of the committee.

The application for “Weeds of National Significance” candidacy is complete and will be lodged this month.

Dr Andy Sheppard, Leader of Invasive Species & Plant Biosecurity Theme, Ecosystem Sciences at CSIRO has recently returned from a week spent at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Discussions between Dr Sheppard and Prof. Steve Johnson, who is a plant ecologist and world leader in plant breeding systems and pollination biology, and UKZN entomologist Dr Terry Olckers have led to an in principle agreement that the biological control of fireweed project will be undertaken by a collaboration of CSIRO and UKZN through the appointment of a post doctoral fellow.

Dr Sheppard anticipates the contractual agreement issues will be completed in time for his return in November this year where he will assist in the appointment process for the post doctoral fellow and help select sites and define the precise work plan.

BEGA Valley Shire Council says it is noticeable that some landholders are putting in a significant effort to control Fireweed but their success is being affected by others who appear to be making little effort to manage it as required under the Noxious Weeds Act.

Council weeds manager Ann Herbert said where a landholder did not comply with the requirements of the Class 4 Management Plan, action could be taken under the Noxious Weeds Act.

“Many paddocks around Bega and throughout the Shire are now an unwelcome shade of yellow as Fireweed flowers and seeds,” Ms Herbert said.

“Fireweed thrives in the cooler months, from March to late October when weather conditions are cooler.

“Despite good pasture cover in most areas, this fast-growing and competitive weed is enjoying perfect growing conditions.”

Actions the council can take include issue of “weed control notices” requiring specific controls, fees for inspections, entry to control fireweed at the landholders’ expense and/or penalty infringement notices (PIN).

“Landholders need to be aware of the risks they run in not controlling fireweed or any noxious weeds,” Ms Herbert said.

“If legal action is taken, it can be very costly.

“It is something we prefer not to do. We would much rather work with the landholder to get the weed control done but we will take legal action if there is continued non-compliance – it is only fair to those landholders who are doing the weed control work.”

An intensive inspection program supported by local landholders along the coast from Tanja to the Murrah has been successful with the area and extent of fireweed significantly reduced as landholders comply with the requirements of the Class 4 Plan, she said.

“Some have been issued with Weed Control Notices, there have been several PINs issued and one or two owners have narrowly escaped an entry by doing last minute work, but basically the program has been very effective,” said weeds officer Ken Roberts, who has been working with the community in the area.

The Class 4 Management Plan (available on Council’s website) outlines what is legally required of landholders to comply with the Noxious Weeds Act. In some parts of the Shire where Fireweed is found only as small scattered infestations, it must be fully controlled.

In heavily affected areas, controls are required so as to provide a strategic 50-metre buffer zone along property boundaries to complement adjoining controls. These controls must prevent Fireweed from seeding in the buffer zone.

For further information on Fireweed management, contact Council on 6499 2222.