Sydney West Blue Mountains Regional Weeds Committee
Meeting No 2014.1
Thursday 8th May 2014
NSW NPWS Parramatta
MINUTES
Present / ApologiesJustine Clarke (Blacktown CC)
Eric Mahony (Blue Mountains CC)
Chris Stanfield (HRCC)
Karen Jenkin (HRCC)
Michael Pattison (Hawkesbury CC) (11AM onwards)
Maree Costigan (Holroyd CC)
Anthony Schofield (WAP PO, HRCC)
Jonathan Sanders (NSW OEH)
Matt Springall (NSW OEH)
Anne Duncan (Sydney Weeds) / Pino Todarello (Parramatta CC)
Janet Rannard (Penrith CC)
Helen Pollard (The Hills SC)
Greg Steenbeeke (OEH)
1. Welcome
Jonathan welcomed all participants to the meeting.
Members present declared any pecuniary interests: NSW NPWS, BMCC, and HRCC, indicated that they received WAP funds.
2. Actions arising
1. Confirmation of previous minutes (Meeting of 14th March 2013):
Moved: Matt Springall
Seconded: Michael Pattison
2. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
· Weed risk assessment and alert for Asparagus falcatus complete.
o Found at Strathfield, Northern beaches, central coast (Wyong). In Pittwater there are 2-3 cm stems.
o Bird spread. Climbs to tops of trees.
o Good videos are available on U-tube about how to identify and control - the videos presented at the recent SWC Weeds Forum. (Videos made by “Pittwater Eco warriors” John and Lynn Illingsworth). It was noted that these were a good resource and worth using in community and Council capacity building. It was also noted that Mount Lofty NRM Board in SA also have lots of weed control videos – and they are happy for their use if acknowledged. Action 2.2.1
· Order 30 has been enacted. Members raised some practical issues with implementation in the suburbs. It was suggested that all occurrences should be recorded by members but with control being a matter of feasibility/funding. Other members expressed disappointment that their advice not taken (e.g. lack of listing of Himalayan honeysuckle, which is bird dispersed) and which is considered locally in Blue Mountains to be an emerging weed risk. The recent NRC weeds review acknowledged the need to be more locally responsive but it is not yet clear how things will progress from here.
· Look-Learn-Act Website. Further investigation of this will be undertaken as part of review of website.
3. New Incursions (Action 3.1)
· Ming asparagus (MS) – Scheyville NP 1-2 ha scattered. Has a massive rhizome, thorns, very hardy, can survive outside the ground for 2 months. Has infected 42 ha of Mt Cootha in Brisbane.
· Kei Apple (MS) – 2 locations in Kemps Creek NR, reserve in Blacktown. African, drought hardy. Is a weed in SEQ, Mt Lofty, Fleurieu Peninsula, Broken Hill. Can be cut and painted with Roundup. LLS are funding control. Action 3.2.
· Amazon Frog Bit (CS), Limnobium laevigatum (now class 1). Aquatic weed popular with the fish tank people. Similar to Salvinia and looks like a miniature starship enterprise. No registered herbicide for it. Action 3.3.
· Fraxinus griffithi (MS)– popular street tree in northern suburbs which has many seedlings coming up (sumara type seeds). Need to engage landscapers, developers to prevent incursions before they start. It was noted that NGIA have made progress with respect to weeds in last few years – they have a project officer working on it, Anthony Kochenko. It was also noted that they have industry days for plant growers, which could provide an opportunity to increase weed awareness. Action 3.4.
· Gleditsia (JS) – has taken off in his area. Going down through rivers along riverflats. Need to keep an eye on it. Jump on outliers to contain it. Willow warriors working on it on tributary rivers.
Action 3.1. Provide new incursion report forms to EO, including location (ALL)
Action 3.2. Provide electronic copy of weed alert for Kei Apple to EO for circulation (MS)
Action 3.3. Discuss herbicide for Amazon Frog bit with DPI. Send photos and info for website to EO (CS).
Action 3.4. SWC to work out how to access nursery and garden industry days (E/Chair/MS)
4. WONS update
It was reported that Weeds of National Significance still exists as a register and category, and is still relevant in terms of preparation of funding applications. However there will no longer be funded coordinators. Extension materials will be available on-line rather than hard copy. The usefulness of these materials was noted. Hilary Cherry (NSW NPWS) will continue to work on WoNS in the short term, and is wrapping up the Broom manual, which will be an on-line product.
Recent additions to Weeds of National Significance were noted for information: Madeira vine, Cats claw, Fireweed, Asparagus weeds, water hyacinth etc. List can be checked at http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS.
5. WAP projects 14-15
The status report on WAP (from AS) was circulated (document attached) and the opportunity for additional funding for year 5 (notifications had been circulated to members) due 9th May was noted. Members advised that they would be submitting proposals. An assessment panel (AS, Jeff Hill, Rod Ensbey) and AD (observer) will meet on 20th May to assess applications, using a scoring system including invasive species strategy priority, regional priorities (map), and WAP application targets.
Anthony indicated that DPI planning for WAP 2 (2015-2020) has started with shifts in direction being communicated to WAP project officers (see attachment). He informed members that the formal process for WAP 2 would start Feb 2015, but that RWCs need to start thinking about it informally now. Aim is still to put program in place for 5 years, with no need for annual applications.
Anthony also informed the meeting that he and MH (RWC North) went to a session on Community Based Social Marketing. CBSM applies marketing principles to get community engaged in environmental activity and DPI is looking at pilot projects in relation to weeds.
6. SWC activities for 14-15
Forum
It was noted that the forum was successful. There were 135 attendees – mostly government but also 14 contractors, 11 volunteers, 5 students. The feedback through the evaluation forms was very positive – overall experience was very good, most presentations very useful, and good value for money.
SWC Activities for 2014-15
Potential activities currently on the SWC agenda include:
· Survey of weed expenditure. This was supported.
· Survey of training needs via survey monkey to find out how SWC can best support member training.
· Brochure updates – regional – these will be sent out asking members to identify required changes. Action 6.1.
· Website review – review use (numbers etc), investigate the Look-learn-act website. Ideas/ comments welcome. Action 6.2.
· GIS – mapping of new incursions/emerging weeds. WAP funds will be sought.
· Other grants / funding opportunities
Committee suggestion:
· Display at Gardening expo. CS volunteered HRCC to assist. Suggested that there should be two public displays per annum aimed at region-wide audiences, by SWC, with members focussing more locally at other times. It was noted that not all members had the resources for displays. Action 6.3 and 6.4.
Action 6.1. Respond to request re updates required to regional weed brochures (All).
Action 6.2. Provide feedback/comments and ideas on website to inform review (All).
Action 6.3. Consider SWC displays at Garden Expo (and other events) as part of development of SWC events program (EO)
Action 6.4. Develop list of education display resources for members (EO)
7. General business
NSW NPWS (JS):
o Senior Field Officer for bush regeneration has been appointed.
o ongoing work at Edmondson Park, a new Regional Park in middle of olive country. Experimental trials integrating fire into weed treatment (olive). Fire frequency for Cumberland plain woodland considered to be 7 years currently but it would probably be a benefit to be 3-5 years.
o Investigating use of goats to control blackberry ($120-150 per day)
o NPWS and Landcare are running corporate days on Sydney harbour. Use for widespread weeds, hoping to run more. Money goes to the Foundation – it can be accessed for costs/tools.
Blue Mountains (EM):
o Been working on LLS project on African olive, which is finishing up end of this year; boneseed eradication and control in some places. Working with Dave Monahan and Mt Annan.
o Inspections – 1300 completed this year – 40-50% on high risk sites; nurseries/aquatic etc on annual basis. Have not done any Section 18s yet as the inspection process is more about capacity building and education.
o Ludwigia peruviana 24D permit - effective but not near potable water. Noted that Vigilan herbicide gel also works, and that picloram registered for all woody weeds.
Hawkesbury CC (MP)
o Arundo donax (giant reed) partnership with LLS in Upper McDonald. Mapped it on Hawkesbury last year. What is it doing in SW and coastal zone? Qld have done a risk assessment and NSW have done state level assessments (Pete Turner) Action 7.1.
o Cobomba project Glenbrook – more info next meeting. Built two biofiltration ponds.
o In discussion with HRCC - Collective actions on pathways over mountains (bird distribution). High-risk workplaces (e.g. railways, highways) is also a practical issue.
Action 7.1. Prepare Weed Alert for Arundo donax and provide risk assessment links to EO for circulation (MP).
8. Next meeting and host.
Host: Blue Mountains (Glenbrook), Eric Mahony.
Date: To be determined but, as it would involve election of new sub-committee office bearers, will be planned to be one month before the AGM.
EO indicated intention to lock in all dates for the whole year. Action 8.1.
Action 8.1. Send out email re 2014-15 meeting dates (EO).
Sydney West Blue Mountains RWC Meeting 8th May 2014
Actions Arising
Agenda Item / Action No. / Person(s) responsible / Action / Due Date3 / 3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4 / Members
Matt Springall
Chris Stanfield
EO/Chair/MS / Provide new incursion report forms to EO, including location
Provide electronic copy of weed alert for Kei Apple to EO for circulation.
Discuss herbicide for Amazon Frog bit with DPI. Send photos and info for website to EO.
SWC to work out how to access nursery and garden industry days / 30June
30June
30June
Next Mtg
6 / 6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4 / All members
All members
EO
EO / Respond to request re updates required to regional weed brochures
Provide feedback/comments and ideas on website to inform review
Consider SWC displays at Garden Expo (and other events) as part of development of SWC events program
Develop list of education display resources for members / Respond to request
Ongoing
10 July
Ongoing
7 / 7.1 / Michael Pattison / Prepare Weed Alert for Arundo donax and provide risk assessment links to EO for circulation. / 30 June
8 / 8.1 / EO / Email re 2014-15 meeting dates. / 30 June