Weed killer – Yarra Ranges weed management officer Paul Smitka takes a look at the ivy, pittosporum and pine trees that have invaded Richards Reserve in Montrose. 56741

By Casey Neill
URGENT action is needed to stop weeds from destroying the Yarra Ranges’ environment, according to shire officials, who want to make it an election issue.
Yarra Ranges Council is calling on the State Government to spend $500,000 each year for five years on weed management in the municipality, and list several environmental weeds as noxious to control their sale, use and removal.
Weeds are the second biggest threat to the Yarra Ranges environment, after clearing, and are becoming more difficult and costly to manage.
The shire is home to critical habitat for many rare and threatened indigenous fauna species.
Weeds smother the natural bushland environment and change its structure, affecting wildlife.
Biodiversity conservation coordinator Marty White said his team had prioritised weed-affected areas.
“Prioritisation gives us a pretty good handle on where best to invest our money,” he said.
“We’re now limited by the size of investment.”
Mr White said many weeds were very aggressive and invasive. “So you’ve only got to let them go for a number of years and they can really change that whole ecosystem,” he said. “Time is critical.”
Weed-affected bushland eventually becomes unable to recover on its own, meaning costly replanting and maintenance is required. Mr White said weeds were more obvious in the Dandenongs than other areas of the shire, but the problem was widespread. “In many areas it’s further away from the eye but it’s just as bad,” he said.
Only three of the 20 most common problematic in the Yarra Ranges are declared noxious in Victoria – blackberry, montpellier broom and English broom.
Noxious weeds can be prohibited or restricted and landowners can be required to remove the plants.
Currently the shire and other landowners can clear their land only to have weeds return from neighbouring properties.
“It undermines the whole program,” Mr White said.