Community controlling weeds

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COLLABORATION TO MANAGE SAFFRON THISTLE

Over the past seven years, landholders in the Glenroy Hills have grown increasingly concerned about Saffron Thistle and Paterson's Curse spreading across their properties. These weeds have significantly reduced farming capacity by taking over gullies and hillsides.

SOLUTION

Community members reached out to neighbours facing similar challenges, forming a group of 11 landholders collectively managing approximately 1,000 acres in the Glenroy Hills. Both permanent and absentee landholders collaborated on a management plan. Given the challenging terrain of steep, tight gullies and hills, they engaged helicopter spray contractors for difficult-to-access areas and broad-acre spraying contractors for the remainder. The group coordinated simultaneous spraying by two contractors to achieve best-practice results.

IMPACT

The project cost was estimated at $20,000 for all 11 landholders. They secured financial support through Up2Us Landcare Alliance's 'Mansfield's War on Weeds' project, though landholders ultimately contributed over three times the incentive provided. The initiative proved highly successful, and landholders have committed to continuing management over the next two years through their own grant application to further reduce Saffron Thistle infestations.

This project demonstrates how community-led action can effectively preserve and protect our land ecosystem.