Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy by Mallee Catchment Management Authority

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

This Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy is prepared as a requirement of the Victorian State Government. The Mallee CMA acknowledges the Victorian Government as the funding body for the production of the strategy ISBN 978-1-920777-22-7 Mallee Catchment Management Authority 2011 Disclaimer The content of this draft document is not to be used or quoted other than for the review purposes for which it is intended. The material contained in this draft publication is not intended to be advice on any specific matter. The Mallee Catchment Management Authority on behalf of itself and its employees and agents do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind and readers should not act on the basis of any material contained in the publication. The Mallee Catchment Management Authority expressly disclaims any liability to any person in respect of any action taken or not taken in reliance on the contents of this publication. Any references to funding priorities or levels in this document are for indicative purposes only, and do not in any way indicate Government commitment.

Copyright ÂŠ 2011 Mallee Catchment Management Authority The material contained in this publication is copyright, and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority expressly retains all rights and obligations contained in or under the Copyright Act 1968 or any regulations thereunder or any other statute or common law absolutely on its own behalf and on behalf of any funding body to whom ownership of the copyright may pass by action of contract or law.

Cover photo: Koorlong Forest ground cover. Courtesy Bob Merlin.

Acknowledgments

The Mallee Catchment Management Authority acknowledges the contribution of the following stakeholders in preparing this strategy: Mallee CMA Board Mallee CMA Lands Community Advisory Committee Mallee CMA Irrigation and Environment Community Advisory Committee Department of Primary Industries Department of Sustainability and Environment Parks Victoria Mallee Regional Landcare

Contents Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the Strategy

1.2 Scope of the Strategy

1.3 Policy Context

1.3.1 The Biosecurity Approach

2 INVASIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE MALLEE

3 INVASIVE PLANT AND ANIMAL MANAGEMENT IN THE MALLEE

3.1 Vision

3.2 Principles

3.3 Goals and Strategic Actions

Goal 1: Foster partnerships and build knowledge among stakeholders and the community

Goal 2: Prevent the introduction or eradicate new invasive plants and animals

Goal 3: Protect high value regional assets from the impact of invasive plants and animals

3.4 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework

Goal 4: Continuous improvement in invasive plant and animal management in the region

through effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 32

4 APPENDICES

Appendix 1:

Roles and responsibilities for invasive plants and animals management in

the Mallee region

Appendix 2:

Declared Noxious Weeds – Mallee region

Appendix 3:

Listed invasive animals – Mallee region

Appendix 4: References

Appendix 5:

High Priority Buloke Woodlands Density and Quality

Appendix 6:

Asset descriptions

Introduction Invasive plants and animals (IPA) threaten the natural environment and primary industries. Many species have the potential to reduce agricultural productivity, displace native species and contribute significantly to land and water degradation. Each year, weeds alone cost the Victorian economy over $900 million (DSE 2009b). Invasive plant and animal control is a high priority for communities across the Mallee due to the environmental, economic and social impacts on both private and public land. Weed infestations have been estimated to cost the farming community in the Mallee approximately $20 million per year (DNRE 2001). Despite significant investments of time and funds by the community and government, insufficient resources are available to manage all the threats IPAs pose to the region. To be effective, it is therefore essential that future investment is well planned and targeted. This strategy, developed by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, provides the basis for public investment in managing threats from IPAs across the Mallee region over the next five years.

1.1 Purpose of the Strategy This strategy aims to: • Describe priorities for government, industry and community to minimise the economic, environmental and social impact of invasive species • Provide catchment focused priorities for future funding • Guide investment decisions of all current public investors when developing works programs and projects • Maximise public benefit from public investment. The strategy covers the five years from 2011 to 2016 and is relevant for all land managers and service delivery agencies involved in the management of IPAs in the Mallee.

1.2 Scope of the Strategy The Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy provides the basis for investment in managing threats from invasive plants and animals across the Mallee region. It covers all land tenures in the Mallee region and is considered a sub-strategy to the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy. The Strategy replaces the Mallee Rabbit Action Plan and Mallee Weed Action Plan. The strategy covers invasive plants and animals that are, or could be, declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act). Terrestrial and freshwater species are included but microorganisms and invertebrates, over-abundant native species and invasive fish species are excluded from this strategy.

1.3 Policy Context The Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy is one of many sub-strategies of the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy. This IPA strategy is particularly relevant to native vegetation, river health and wetland management because invasive species are such a frequent threat to these parts of the Mallee environment. It is also consistent with key national, state and regional policies and strategies (Figure 1).

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Australian Pest Animal Strategy

National

Australian Weeds Strategy Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria

State

Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework Land and Biodiversity White Paper

Regional

Regional Catchment Strategy Mallee Native Vegetation Plan Invasive plants and animals are identified as key threats to assets identified in these strategies and plans

Mallee River Health Strategy Mallee Wetlands Strategy

Sub strategies

River Murray Frontage Action Plans Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy Figure 1: Policy context for the Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy.

1.3.1 The Biosecurity Approach This strategy is based on the biosecurity approach. The biosecurity approach uses risk management principles and a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;generalised invasion curveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Figure 2) to illustrate four different approaches to IPA management: prevention, eradication, containment and asset based protection (DSE 2009a).

Species absent

Entry of invasive species

Small number of localised populations

Rapid increase in distribution and abundance, many populations

Invasive species widespread and abundany throughout its potential range

Figure 2: Generalised invasion curve for invasive plants and animals

Prevention, eradication and containment measures are used before a target species has reached its full potential of impact, distribution and abundance. In these situations, direct action against those species is the most effective and efficient means of control (the species-led approach). This approach generally applies to state and regionally prohibited weeds. However, where invasive species are abundant and widespread, the asset protection approach is considered to be most cost effective (DSE 2009a). This means that effort is focussed on protection of priority assets, ideally addressing all threats, not just IPA. An asset is defined as a biophysical or physical element of the environment that is valued for the social, economic and environmental services that they provide (Adamson and Annett 2008).

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

The Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy and associated sub-strategies (Figure 1) each highlight priority assets for the region (though some of these documents may not use the term â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;assetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;). These strategies were the key documents used to develop an asset list for this strategy. They were also valuable for the identification of threats and the associated targets and actions for their management. Another key component of the biosecurity approach is the use of partnerships with government departments and agencies, industry and the community. Partnerships improve the impact of IPA management programs through sharing of knowledge, information and resources, working across land tenures and decreases in management costs through better coordination (DSE 2009b).

Figure 3: Manual eradication of Boxthorn.

Invasive Invasive plants plants and and animals animals in the in Mallee the Mallee Rabbits are an ever-present problem in the Victorian Mallee. They are a major threat to agricultural production, native vegetation and habitat conservation in the region. Rabbits are well adapted to the Malleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dry sandy soils. The semi-arid woodlands and chenopod shrubland communities of the region are some of the most vulnerable vegetation communities in Victoria and suffer severe damage from rabbit browsing. Rabbit populations have fluctuated dramatically over time but are concentrated in core habitat areas, with warren densities being high around lakes and on dune ridges within semi-arid (pine-buloke) woodland (MCMA 2003). Rabbits have contributed greatly to the extremely high grazing pressures on this particular native vegetation type. The threat they pose is powerfully illustrated by the fact that widespread regeneration of these pinebuloke woodlands has not occurred in Victoria since the appearance of rabbits in about 1866 (Sandell 2009). Rabbit grazing is highly selective and can have greater impact on preventing the regeneration of woody perennials than most other grazers, including domestic stock, goats and kangaroos. While myxomatosis and the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) have assisted rabbit control, increasing resistance has now diminished the effectiveness of both forms of biological control, and diligent use of traditional control methods is becoming more urgent all the time (Sandell 2009). After rabbits, foxes are the most abundant pest animal across the Mallee. Foxes prey on lambs and a wide range of native mammals, reptiles and birds. The fox is believed to be a major factor in the extinction of at least six mammal species in Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mallee. Fox numbers and their impacts on native fauna are closely linked to rabbit numbers, as the rabbit is a major component of the fox diet. When rabbit numbers decrease, foxes are thought to switch to native species, so the importance of fox control increases (MCMA 2003). This emphasises the need for integrated management programs rather than a focus on individual invasive species for the most effective outcomes. Feral goats and pigs threaten some parts of the Mallee. Pigs are more prevalent in the riverine environments adjacent to the River Murray where even just a few pigs can cause serious damage to riparian and aquatic environments (MCMA 2003). They also occur in areas such as Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve and have been reported in the Mallee lakes systems. Feral goats are common in most of the larger public land areas. They are thought to damage native vegetation but their true impact is not well understood. Wild dogs are found across the southern edge of the Big Desert. They prey on sheep, particularly on farms around the boundaries of large public land areas. Their impact on native species in the region is not well understood. There are many weeds that have become common across the Mallee landscape in a relatively short space of time. Bridal creeper, boxthorn and cactus species are highly invasive environmental weeds and impact on Mallee biodiversity (DNRE 2001). Weed invasions change the natural diversity and balance of ecological communities. These changes threaten the survival of many native plants and animals as the weeds compete with native plants for space, nutrients and sunlight (DAFF and DSEWPC 2008). Currently, there are 25 State Prohibited Weeds, 4 Regionally Prohibited Weeds and 14 Regionally Controlled Weeds listed under the CaLP Act for the Mallee region (DPI 2010). In addition to the conventional ways (e.g. wind and water) that weeds spread in the Mallee, disturbance from pest animals such as rabbits, goats and pigs also create good conditions for weed growth and contribute to weed spread. Agricultural weeds, such as silver-leaf nightshade, hoary cress and hardheads, are serious problems in the region, with almost 300 validated infestations on record (MCMA n.d.). Agricultural weeds cause significant

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

losses in horticulture and dryland farming through competition with crops and by the reduction of produce quality. Their control increases the cost of production and, in extreme cases, can diminish the productive capability of the land (MCMA 2003).

Figure 4: Rabbit ripping.

Invasive plants and animal management in the Mallee 3.1 Vision The vision for the Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy is to: Minimise the impact of invasive plants and animals on environmental assets and the productive capacity of the agricultural landscape in the Mallee catchment.

3.2 Principles The Mallee CMA has applied the following principles in the development of this strategy: 1. The highest priority for pest management is to prevent new species from establishing, or to intervene early to eradicate emerging pest species. 2. An asset-based approach must be adopted for widespread pests. 3. Priority-setting must be done via transparent, scientific, and evidence-based decision-making tools. 4. Solutions must address the causes of pest invasion, not just the symptoms. 5. Pest management programs must be integrated within the broader management of land and water resources and an outcomes-based approach to monitoring, evaluation and reporting should be adopted. 6. Approaches to IPA management need to be guided by considering the role of government, industry and community. 7. The utmost care and compliance with cultural heritage legislation (i.e. Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) is critical to ensure Aboriginal cultural heritage values are not harmed by invasive plants and animal management actions. The Mallee CMA will apply these principles to the implementation of this strategy.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Protecting Cultural Heritage The Mallee CMA follows a process to ensure that all sites with cultural heritage value are looked after and treated with respect when the Mallee CMA is funding or completing onground works. Prior to the commencement of any on-ground works, the Mallee CMA assesses whether a cultural heritage site inspection is required. If a site inspection is required, the Mallee CMA arranges for a Case Manager to visit the proposed site to conduct an assessment of cultural heritage value. During the site visit the Case Manager assesses the proposed site and provides technical advice and guidance on the proposed works. Information about the site including GPS locations, requirements of the proposed works and photographs are also be collected. The information collected by the Case Manager is then provided to the Mallee CMA Indigenous Facilitator to complete a further desktop assessment. This will be all that is required for many sites. However, a few sites may require the Indigenous Facilitator to complete a further site visit. If anything of cultural heritage value is found, the Indigenous Facilitator will explain the significance of the site and make recommendations on how to proceed. This may include whether a buffer zone and/or site monitor is required during the proposed works. The Indigenous Facilitator then completes a report detailing any Aboriginal cultural heritage sites found at the site and provides the landowner with a written copy.

Figure 5: Example of a Flaked Stone Tool.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

3.3 Goals and Strategic Actions The following sections describe the four goals of this strategy in detail. For each goal, a set of strategic actions has been identified. Where appropriate, targets for these actions have also been identified.

Goal 1: Foster partnerships and build knowledge among stakeholders and the community Effective pest management depends on the development and implementation of working partnerships between government, industry and the community. These relationships are vital because no single group can achieve IPA control in the absence of cooperation and coordination across the many players. Understanding the different roles and responsibilities of these groups is also important in finding ways for management activities to complement each other and to develop coordinated approaches to invasive plant and animal management in the Mallee. Knowledge and Awareness Effective invasive plant and animal management in the Mallee region depends on a knowledgeable and active community. It is important that all stakeholders understand the significance of invasive species in the region, can access information about invasive species, are aware of their management responsibilities with regard to them, and have opportunities to work in partnerships to manage invasive species. There are many agencies and organisations that have interests and responsibilities in IPA management. Information and knowledge is constantly changing. Communication across these different agencies is often not consistent. The CMA is in a strong position, under the auspices of this strategy, to convene a regular forum between these agencies and organisations to increase communications and to identify opportunities for cooperation and partnerships. The likely participants in such a forum would be DPI, DSE, Parks Victoria, Landcare networks, farmer organisations, local government, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and other community groups with an interest in invasive species management. Roles and responsibilities of government departments and agencies The Mallee CMA, state government, public land managers, owners of freehold land, waterway managers, industry, local government, and the community all have responsibility for management of invasive plants and animals. Roles and responsibilities of each of the main stakeholders are detailed in Appendix 1. Broadly speaking, the responsibilities of the main state government agencies are: â&#x20AC;˘ The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has responsibility statewide for prevention and eradication programs focused on State Prohibited Weeds, other potentially eradicable high risk invasive plants, and new and emerging invasive animals. Within the Mallee region, DPI also supports containment and asset protection programs focused on managing established declared species (e.g. rabbits). DPI also facilitates research programs for both invasive plants and animals, and participates in developing farming systems to reduce incidence and impact of invasive species; â&#x20AC;˘ Parks Victoria (PV) as a major public land manager, has a major focus on invasive plant and animal management; â&#x20AC;˘ The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), is the other major public land manager in the Mallee and contributes to prevention, eradication, and containment actions. DSE may also

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

support the management of declared and undeclared invasive species, where those species pose unacceptable risks to public assets; • The Mallee CMA plays a coordinating, monitoring and resource condition reporting role across these agencies and their programs. Roles and responsibilities of landholders The CaLP Act provides the legislation that outlines the duties of landholders for the management of their land and associated invasive plants and animals. It is the duty of all landowners to take all reasonable steps to: • Eradicate regionally prohibited weeds; • Prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds; • Prevent the spread of, and as far as possible, eradicate established pest animals. Under the Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria, everyone in the community has a ‘duty of care’ to others in relation to biosecurity. This obligation includes taking action to avoid or reduce negative impacts (such as providing early notification of a pest incursion) and refraining from activities that may have impacts on others (such as introducing a disease, pest or weed, or facilitating pest or disease introduction or spread to new locations). Table 1: Strategic actions for building partnerships and knowledge. Strategic Actions

Lead responsibility

Distribute the Mallee IPA Strategy to stakeholders and partners.

Mallee CMA

Communicate the goals and strategic actions of the Mallee IPA Strategy through the Mallee CMA website and other communication streams.

Mallee CMA

Maintain information on declared species and land manager responsibilities. Make sure they are readily available on the Mallee CMA website and distribute in hard copy to community groups, landholders and local governments.

Mallee CMA and DPI

Support community groups carrying out targeted invasive plant and animal management with information, education, extension, enforcement and the identification of funding opportunities.

DPI

Actively seek community participation and create partnerships with community groups in all IPA management project and programs.

Mallee CMA and DPI

Convene a regional invasive species forum among agencies and organisations with interest in and responsibilities for IPA management.

Mallee CMA

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Fostering Partnerships Rabbit control is a major focus for Berriwillock, Lalbert, Nullawill and Culgoa Landcare groups in the south eastern Mallee region. Second Generation Landcare Grants over many yearshave supported these groups to conduct a coordinated rabbit control program on public and private land, across their combined areas of 190,000 hectares. For the past two years, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has also conducted rabbit compliance programs in the region (between Lake Tyrell and Swan Hill, and around Sea Lake). These programs aim to enhance rabbit control works on all land (both private and public) by inspecting all properties and undertaking compliance procedures if control works are not being conducted or if works are inadequate. Previously, DPI and the Landcare groups each implemented their own rabbit control programs, with little collaboration. A new approach was adopted for the Second Generation Landcare Grants funding round of 2009-2010. For the first time, DPI and the Landcare groups coordinated their rabbit control programs. The collaboration was facilitated by the Mallee Regional Landcare Coordinator. Prior to the submission of funding applications, the Regional Landcare Coordinator held a meeting between DPI and representatives of the Landcare groups to identify opportunities to work together. At the meeting, DPI presented information on the proposed location of their compliance program in the area for the coming year. With this early warning, the Landcare groups enthusiastically agreed to time the Landcare groupsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rabbit ripping campaign with the DPI compliance program. The Landcare groups and DPI both felt that this partnership would improve the outcomes of their rabbit control programs, especially by being able to address the in action of some landholders in areas that require active rabbit management. The rabbit control programs of the Landcare groups and DPI are also supported by other key partners including Buloke, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack Shires, DSE, Parks Victoria, VLine/Vic Track and Vic Roads.

Figure 6: Rabbit ripping on roadsides in the Mallee.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Goal 2: Prevent the introduction of or eradicate new invasive plants and animals Preventing new and emerging high risk invasive plants and animals from establishing in the region is the highest priority for this strategy. The greatest return on investment is achieved through investing in this preventative approach. The Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability and Environment have the lead roles in prevention and eradication of high risk invasive plants and animals. Target species for prevention and eradication in the Mallee region are drawn from two categories. The first is comprised of those species set by formal declarations under the CaLP Act and the second category comprises those species not yet formally declared but considered to be high risk. Invasive plants that are candidates for prevention and eradication include all listed State Prohibited Weeds and Regionally Prohibited Weeds (Appendix 2). For invasive animals, those listed as prohibited, controlled or regulated are candidates for prevention and eradication within the Mallee region (Appendix 3). Risk Assessment New and emerging species that are classified as high risk are those that have the greatest potential to affect valued resources. A peer-reviewed methodology for assessing the risks that invasive plants pose, called the Weed Risk Assessment, has been developed and applied in Victoria. The Weed Risk Assessment (DPI 2008) is based on three key principles: • Invasiveness – potential to spread; • Distribution – present and potential; • Impact – social, environmental and economic. The Weed Risk Assessment uses data on each of these factors to calculate a weed risk score. This score is used to determine whether a species should be a priority for prevention or eradication in strategies like this one, and also in the process of determining whether a species will be listed under the CaLP Act. Currently, there is no equivalent methodology for assessing the risk of invasive animals. Invasion Pathways and Processes Prevention and eradication of high-risk species involves minimising the movement of new pests into the state in all invasive processes and pathways. New pest problems can enter the region via commercial activity (nurseries, pet shops and aquaria) and through environmental factors (fire, drought, climate change). The Mallee Weed Action Plan (DNRE 2001) noted that the most significant pathways of invasion and spread of weeds in the region are: • Transportation of stock and fodder • Contaminated vehicles, equipment and machinery • Cropping • Grazing • Horticulture • Animals and birds (native and introduced)

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

• Inappropriate management of linear tracts of land (roadsides, railways, rivers) • Water harvesting • Earthmoving and excavation • Road construction • Tourism • Garden waste disposal. Surveillance Surveillance is critical to successful IPA prevention and early intervention. Clearly, early detection of new invasive species is vital to being able to prevent their establishment in the region. However, the self-evident challenge presented by new invasive species is that they are usually not readily recognisable to people in the region. Therefore surveillance programs must be strongly shaped by knowledge of the pathways of invasion and spread. The DPI Weed-Alert Program is designed to prevent future incursions of high-risk invasive plants. The WeedAlert Program focuses on State Prohibited Weeds and Victorian Alert Weeds, and deals with detection and response for the whole of Victoria on both public and private land. Among many activities, the program provides training to volunteer ‘weed spotters’ focussing on identification of target weeds and discussion of their likely pathways of spread (DPI 2010a). Research on IPA surveillance is in its early stages. Emerging findings suggest that surveillance can be designed strategically to optimise the use of limited resources and to maximise the likelihood of detecting high risk species. For example, the ideal amount of time to spend at one location before moving to the next can be calculated (Hauser and McCarthy 2009). This work also suggests that locations that are very difficult to search should not be included in a surveillance program, while locations that are very easy to search be given a minimal amount of time. The most time is given to locations that are of intermediate difficulty. Though still in its early phases, this research can assist in designing a more effective and efficient approach to IPA surveillance. Table 2: Strategic actions for prevention and eradication. Strategic Actions

Target

Lead responsibility

Implement programs to eradicate State Prohibited Weeds and the equivalent among invasive animals.

All species targeted for eradication are treated for eradication.

DPI

Implement programs to eradicate Regionally Prohibited Weeds.

All species targeted for eradication are treated for eradication.

Landowners

Undertake risk assessments of potential new highrisk invasive plants and animals. Link this work to surveillance and other early detection work.

Lists of high risk species for the region are reviewed and updated annually.

Mallee CMA and DPI

Support relevant Mallee CMA field staff to complete the Weed-Alert training program.

Ensure all relevant field staff in the Mallee CMA have completed weed alert training program.

DPI

Design an IPA surveillance program for the region.

Surveillance program is designed and implemented within the life of this strategy.

Mallee CMA

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Prevention of a State Prohibited Weed Branched broomrape (Orobranche ramosa) is a parasitic plant that depends entirely on its host plant for water and nutrients. It can pose a serious threat to agriculture as it attacks the roots of crops including pulses, pasture legumes, oilseeds and a wide range of vegetables. Branched broomrape has not yet been found in Victoria but poses an extremely serious threat to Victorian agriculture, particularly to the pulse, oilseed and vegetable industries. It also affects some Australian native plants. It was estimated in 2000 that branched broomrape would cost Australian agriculture $2.1 billion in 25 years if left uncontrolled. Branched broomrape is a State Prohibited Weed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. This means that the Victorian Government is responsible for its eradication should it be found in Victoria. It is also a declared exotic disease under the Victorian Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995. The plant could be introduced to Victoria on vehicles and machinery, or as a contaminant of soil, livestock, fodder or produce from the large and expanding area of infestations in the Murray Bridge area of South Australia (Faithfull and McLaren 2004). In Victoria, emergency measures are in place to deal with an introduction. Quarantine measures in South Australia are intended to minimise the pathways of spread. Declaration of branched broomrape enables the restriction of movement of vehicles, machinery, horticultural produce, fodder, grain and livestock from quarantined areas, and empowers the Department of Primary Industries to direct a landowner to prevent the growth of the plant. Inspection of Victorian properties linked to infested areas in South Australia commenced in Victoria in 2000 and has occurred during spring in each subsequent year. Surveillance through property inspections and the Weed-Alert Program is essential for monitoring the distribution of this State Prohibited Weed. In late October 2009, more than 5,500 hectares of Mallee country were surveyed. The survey was a success, with no

Figure 7: Branched Broomrape.

plants found (DPI, 2009/10).

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Eradication of a State Prohibited Weed Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) is native to Central America, South America and southern United States and was introduced to Australia in the late 1800s. It expanded its range extensively with favourable conditions in the mid-1900s. Mesquite was planted as an ornamental, for stock shade and fodder, erosion prevention and around stations and mining areas. Mesquite can invade grazing land causing pasture loss and creating stock movement or water access problems. Its sharp thorns can injure animals and puncture tyres. Mesquite is a State Prohibited Weed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. This means that the Victorian Government is responsible for its eradication in Victoria (DPI 2011). There are only a small number of mesquite infestations known to exist in the Mallee catchment, which makes it a prime candidate for eradication. Eradication of a pest is feasible in the early stages of range expansion when there are less than three infestations; and each infestation is no more than 100 hectares and easily accessible (Gillespie 2009). The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) through the Weed-Alert Program encourages people to report mesquite infestations. These reports play a vital role in helping determine the distribution of State Prohibited Weeds, which enables DPI to implement more effective eradication programs. In 2009, three sites of mesquite were inspected and treated as a result of the Weed-Alert Program (DPI 2009).

Figure 8: Mesquite.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Goal 3: Protect high value regional assets from the impact of invasive plants and animals The biosecurity approach states that once a pest becomes so widespread that eradication or containment is no longer possible, management should focus on protecting high value assets. This asset protection approach must focus on reducing the impact of all threats, including pests, on high value assets in the region. To implement an asset protection approach, regional assets must be identified. There are many ways to go about asset identification and prioritisation. The basic steps in the process, shown below, are drawn from the asset-based approach described in the White Paper for Land and Biodiversity (DSE 2009b). 1. Identify the asset. 2. Describe the importance of the asset. 3. Describe the risk to the asset, in this case from IPAs. 4. Establish the feasibility of management of the risk (e.g. controlling the weed). This approach was applied to assets in the Mallee region. The asset list was developed by reviewing existing regional strategies and plans, including the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy, Mallee Native Vegetation Plan, Mallee River Health Strategy, Mallee Wetland Strategy and the River Murray Frontage Action Plans. This created a list of 21 assets (Table 3). These assets were analysed, according to the four steps set out above, with stakeholders from the Mallee CMA, DPI, DSE and Parks Victoria. Applying the asset protection approach does not exclude invasive plant and animal management on land that falls outside of the identified assets; it is simply used as a prioritisation process for the allocation of limited resources. The application of the asset analysis determined each assetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s importance, risk from IPAs and the feasibility of addressing these risks. Each asset was given a score against agreed criteria, and then assigned to a category based on the action needed. From the analysis, four categories of assets were created (Figure 9): 1 - High priority for on-ground action Assets in this category are important at a state, national or international scale, are at high to very high risk from IPAs, and management actions are well understood and supported by the landowner or manager. These assets require urgent on-ground action to prevent critical loss of value due to IPAs. 2 - Medium priority for on-ground action Assets in this category are important at a regional or state scale, are at medium to high risk from IPAs, management actions are well understood and there is a reasonable chance actions will be supported by the landowner or manager. These assets require on-ground action within the next five years to prevent serious decline.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

3 - Monitor for future action and maintain previous gains Assets in this category are important and have known IPA risks, but the asset is not under immediate threat. In some cases this will be because of previous IPA management work. These assets need to be regularly monitored and IPA work maintained to ensure that previous gains are not lost. 4 - Priority for research Assets in this category are important and have known IPA risks, but a gap in knowledge means that it is not clear whether they should be in the high priority, medium priority, or monitoring category. Research is needed to address knowledge gaps in order to determine appropriate management actions. Table 3: Mallee assets used for the IPA asset protection assessment. Asset Number and Name 1. Agricultural Land 2.Hattah- Kulkyne Lakes System and National Park 3.Tyrrell Creek and Lake Tyrrell 4. Lalbert Creek and Lake Timboram 5. Yarriambiack Creek, Lake Corrong and Lake Lascelles 6. Outlet Creek and Wirrengren Plains 7. Murray River and Floodplain from Nyah to Robinvale 8. Murray River and Floodplain from Robinvale to Merbein 9. Murray River and Floodplain from Merbein to SA Border including Chowilla Floodplains, Lindsay-Wallpolla Islands and Lake Wallawalla 10. Cardross Lakes/Koorlong State Forest 11. Pink Lakes 12. Raak Plain 13. Murray-Sunset National Park dunefields 14. Wyperfield/Big Desert dunefields 15. Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve 16. Yarrara, Meringur and Mallanbool Flora and Fauna Reserves 17. Bronzewing, Wathe and Wandown Flora and Fauna Reserves 18. North West savannah woodlands 19. Cowangie Gypseous Dunes/Plains and Wetlands 20. Southern Buloke Woodland Community

Figure 9: Priority levels of Mallee assets.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

1 - High priority for on-ground action Assets that have been identified as a high priority for on-ground action are listed in Table 4. Table 4: Assets identified as high priority for on-ground action. Asset

Asset value description

2. Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes System

Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes is a system of 17 perennial and intermittent

and National Park

freshwater lakes fed mainly from the Murray River via Chalka Creek. Twelve of the 17 lakes have been declared as Wetlands of International Significance under the RAMSAR Convention. The lakes system is located within Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, which includes areas of hummockgrass Mallee and high priority remnants of buloke woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, which is listed as an endangered ecological community under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The lake system and National Park also provides habitat for many threatened Mallee birds including the White-Bellied Sea-Eagle and Bush Stone Curlew. Hattah-Kulkyne is threatened by significant rabbit populations due to the highly suitable soils and proximity to water. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration. The lakes system is also threatened by the aquarium escapee, leafy elodea (Eleoda candensis). This aquatic weed clogs waterways, shades out native species and reduces available habitat for native fish species.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

6. Outlet Creek and Wirrengren

Outlet Creek forms part of the Wimmera River system. The Wimmera

Plains

River runs into Lake Hindmarsh, which flows into Outlet Creek and Lake Albacutya. Lake Albacutya overflows in extremely wet years into the continuation of Outlet Creek, where it dissipates into the wetlands of the Wirrengren Plains. The Mallee CMA region includes approximately 67km of Outlet Creek downstream of Lake Albacutya, in the south the Wyperfield National Park. This asset includes areas of high priority remnants of buloke woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, which is listed as an endangered ecological community under the EPBC Act 1999. The woodlands are associated with lunettes and sandplains. Outlet creek also supports the nationally vulnerable Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). The surrounds of waterways and lakes and the boundary between nonalluvial and alluvial areas also have high indigenous cultural significance. Outlet Creek and Wirrengren Plains are threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the buloke woodland communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

11. Pink Lakes

Listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands, JAMBA and CAMBA, Pink Lakes consists of four main salt lakes (playas) and is one of the four rare boinka (a large saline groundwater discharge lake) systems in north western Victoria. The lakes are bare salt pans or open salt lakes depending on the season. The Pink Lakes are fed by groundwater, direct precipitation and runoff. The lakes have no visible inlets or outlets. This asset also includes high priority remnants of buloke woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, which is listed as an endangered ecological community under the EPBC Act 1999. Cultural heritage sites are also common on the lunettes. Pink Lakes is threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the buloke woodland communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration. The small patch size of remnant vegetation means pressure from grazing is increased. Foxes are also a major predator of the ground-dwelling threatened Mallee birds.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

12. Raak Plain

Listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands, the Raak Plain boinka (a large saline groundwater discharge lake) is a system of salinas and gypseous saltmarsh plains surrounded by dunes and ridges. The vegetation of the Raak Plain is regarded as being of high conservation value due to the diversity of vegetation communities (e.g. Samphire and Low Chenopod Shrublands) and the presence of rare plant species. This boinka is the largest and most active natural groundwater discharge area in Victoria and possibly south eastern Australia. Cultural heritage sites are also common on the lunettes. Raak Plain is threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the buloke woodland communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration. The small patch size of remnant vegetation means pressure from grazing is increased. Foxes are also a major predator of the ground dwelling threatened Mallee birds.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

13. M urray Sunset National Park

Murray-Sunset National Park, in Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far north western corner, is

dunefields

the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest national park. It is in one of the few remaining semi-arid regions where the environment is relatively untouched. Murray-Sunset National Park contains areas of significant vegetation (e.g. Hummock Grass Mallee and Savannah Woodland) and also supports the nationally endangered Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata), Black-Eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) and the vulnerable Mallee Emu-Wren (Stipiturus mallee). Murray-Sunset National Park also provides strategic links between Hattah- Kulkyne Lakes and Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve. Areas of vegetation within the national park are at high risk from rabbit grazing. While foxes are known to occur in areas of Mallee dunefields, the impact of foxes on ground-dwelling fauna is yet to be determined and requires further research through adaptive management trials. The population of feral goats is also increasing on the fringes of the national park, where permanent access to water is available.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

18. N orth West savannah

The North West savannah woodlands include the savannah woodlands

woodlands

of the Murray-Sunset National Park, Wallpolla Island State Forest and Ned’s Corner, a historic sheep and cattle station managed by Trust for Nature. Ned’s Corner has a mosaic of threatened ecosystems including an ancient alluvial plain dominated by Saltbush, Mallee and Black Box woodlands, corridors of Murray Pine and River Red Gum. Since 2002, Trust for Nature has been rehabilitating the former station by stopping all grazing to allow for the gradual regeneration of native vegetation. A legacy of past grazing means that these woodlands are threatened by many associated weeds. Ward’s weed poses a significant threat, and has increased in abundance since the cessation of grazing. Rabbits are also a significant threat to buloke woodland communities through selective grazing on saplings, which prevents regeneration.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

20. S outhern Buloke Woodland

The buloke woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression

Community

Bioregions are listed as an endangered ecological community under the EPBC Act 1999. Recognised Ecological Vegetation Communities (EVCs) that contain as Buloke Woodlands include Low Rises Woodland, Plains Savannah, Plains Woodland, Ridged Plains Mallee, Semi-arid Chenopod Woodland, Semi-arid Woodland and Shallow Sands Woodland. Significant remnant buloke woodland patches exist within many of the priority assets identified for immediate action. This Southern Buloke Woodland Community represents an additional area of this ecological community that has been identified for immediate action on private land and roadsides. The major threat to buloke woodland communities is selective grazing by rabbits, which prevents regeneration.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

2 - Medium priority for on-ground action Assets that have been identified as a medium priority for on-ground action are listed in Table 5. Table 5: Assets identified as medium priority for on-ground action. Asset name 7. Murray River and Floodplain from Nyah to Robinvale 8. Murray River and Floodplain from Robinvale to Merbein 9. Murray River and Floodplain from Merbein to SA Border including Chowilla Floodplains, Lindsay-Wallpolla Islands and Lake Wallawalla 10. Cardross Lakes/Koorlong State Forest 14. Wyperfield/Big Desert dunefields 15. Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve 17. Bronzewing, Wathe and Wandown Flora and Fauna Reserves 19. Cowangie

3 - Monitor for future action and maintain previous gains Assets that have been identified to be monitored for future action and to maintain previous gains are listed in Table 6. Table 6: Assets to be monitored. Asset name 1. Agricultural land 3. Tyrrell Creek and Lake Tyrrell 4. Lalbert Creek and Lake Timboram 5. Yarriambiack Creek, Lake Corrong and Lake Lascelles 16. Yarrara, Meringur and Mallanbool Flora and Fauna Reserves

4 - Priority for research Assets that have been identified as a priority for research are listed below in Table 7. Table 7: Assets that are research priorities. Asset name

Research priority

2. Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes System and National Park

Elodea control

9. Murray River and Floodplain from Merbein to SA Border including Chowilla Floodplains, Lindsay-Wallpolla Islands and Lake Wallawalla

Fox predation on turtles

17. Bronzewing, Wathe and Wandown Flora and Fauna Reserves

Fox predation on Mallee fowl

18. North West savannah woodlands

Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weed control

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Strategic actions for asset protection Strategic actions that have been identified for the four categories of assets are listed in Table 8. Table 8: Strategic actions for asset protection. Strategic Actions

Target

Lead responsibility

Category 1. Support immediate IPA management works on the seven high priority assets identified in this strategy.

To be established for each asset.

Mallee CMA

Category 2. Develop a plan for integrating work on medium priority assets identified in this strategy into other work on these same assets.

By January 2011 identify the projects or programs to which each medium priority asset will be linked.

Mallee CMA

Category 3. Design and implement an IPA monitoring program for the assets identified in this category within the strategy.

Monitoring program designed and in place by June 2012.

Mallee CMA

Category 4. Commission work to address knowledge gaps for the five assets listed in the research category.

As a result of the knowledge gaps being addressed, assign these assets to one of the first three categories.

Mallee CMA

Establish and implement a process to review and update asset priorities as new information on value, risk and feasibility becomes available.

Review asset priorities on an annual basis.

Mallee CMA

Figure 10: Remnant vegetation monitoring.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Protecting Buloke Grassy Woodlands As a key natural asset of the Mallee, 250,000ha of buloke grassy woodland ecological community has been targeted for protection from rabbits through the Mallee Woodlands Bouncing Back program. Commencing in 2007, this program involves a landscape scale approach to protecting Mallee woodlands. It is being delivered by Parks Victoria in partnership with Trust for Nature. Support has also been provided by the Mallee CMA through the Australian Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caring for Our Country Initiative. Rabbits can stop regeneration of slow growing native flora such as bulokes (Allocasuarina luehmannii). They browse and kill emerging trees, and are gradually turning these nationally threatened vegetation communities from woodlands to grasslands. Regeneration has only occasionally occurred in this vegetation community since the appearance of rabbits in the mid-1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Rabbit grazing is highly selective and rabbits can have greater impact on the regeneration of woody perennials than most other grazers, including domestic stock, goats and kangaroos. The Bouncing Back program aims to break the historical cycle of boom and bust rabbit populations, which has been so damaging to Mallee native vegetation. The program targets buloke grassy woodlands in national parks, reserves, state forest and areas of private land being managed for conservation. A study of buloke regeneration at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park found that a very low level of rabbit abundance is required to allow buloke seedlings to survive and grow. Rabbit abundance is described as very low if spotlight counts are less than three per kilometre, and/or warren counts are less than one active entrance per hectare, and/or faecal pellet counts are less than 10 per quadrat (0.25m2) (Sandell 2009). This is a higher standard of rabbit control than has generally been practiced across the Mallee but sets a clear target, which will allow semi-arid woodlands to progressively recover.

Figure 11: Buloke Grassy Woodland.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

3.4 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework Goal 4: Continuous improvement in invasive plant and animal management in the region through effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting Monitoring the success of this strategy must be based on progress against the four goals. DPI has developed a whole of government IPA monitoring and reporting framework to support regional efforts to monitor and report on IPA strategies. This framework proposes general evaluation questions for four aspects of IPA management: impact, effectiveness, strategic alignment and continuous improvement. The approach described here focuses on the four goals of this strategy and draws on evaluations, questions and data suggestions from the DPI monitoring and reporting framework. The most important evaluation questions are identified for each goal, along with suggested data to report on those questions. The third column in the table, reporting and evaluation, focuses on how best to address the evaluation question. Table 9: Evaluations, questions and data suggestions from the DPI monitoring and reporting framework. Evaluation questions

Monitoring and data collection

Reporting and evaluation

Goal 1. Foster partnerships and build knowledge among stakeholders and the community. To what extent are the community able to access current information on IPA management in the region?

• Frequency of up-dating regional IPA information on agency web-sites. • Website data on page visits and downloads of the strategy and other IPA documents like species lists.

Annual report of data to be provided to the Regional Invasive Species Forum.

To what extent are stakeholders and the community sharing knowledge and building partnerships based on IPA management?

• Frequency of and attendance at the ‘Regional Invasive Species Forum’. • Annual self-assessment of the forum.

Independent evaluation of the Forum conducted every two years in conjunction with planning.

To what extent are IPA projects and programs seeking direct community participation in their IPA work?

• Records of the approach each project and program used to engage community. • Examples of how that engagement has occurred. • Surveys of regional stakeholders.

Comparison of engagement activities (effort) with stakeholder views regarding engagement and participation. Report to DPI, DSE and Mallee CMA.

Goal 2. Prevent the introduction or eradicate new invasive plants and animals To what extent has local surveillance prevented invasive species from establishing in the region?

• Numbers trained for surveillance (including Weed Alert program). • Data on new incursions detected (number, location, area, species).

Data is collated and reported to DPI, DSE and Mallee CMA. Information is used to design a surveillance program for the region.

To what extent have high risk invasive species been managed for eradication?

• Proportion (%) of high risk species where eradication actions have been taken. • Changes in area of infestations of high risk species.

Demonstration that target to treat all high risk species has been met.

Goal 3. Contain high risk invasive plants and animals Has the feasibility of using a containment approach for feral pigs and goats been assessed?

• Recommendations on management approach for feral pigs and goats.

Plan for addressing feral pigs and goats is agreed between DPI, DSE and Mallee CMA.

Have other candidates for a containment approach been identified?

• Analyses of other species for containment approach.

Containment plans created for targeted species.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Evaluation questions cont.

Monitoring and data collection cont.

Reporting and evaluation cont.

Goal 4. Protect high value regional assets from the impact of invasive plants and animals To what extent have IPA impacts on priority assets been reduced or controlled?

• Measures of impact of invasive species on each asset recorded over time. • Measures against benchmarks or targets (e.g. no. of rabbits per spotlight KM). • Funding directed to managing priority assets, including amounts for IPA management.

Project level evaluations (e.g. at the end of the project) that examine whether IPA impacts on the assets have reduced.

To what extent is IPA management being integrated with broader management of these priority assets?

• Priority assets that have a management plan or project which includes IPA management. • Priority assets that have a specific IPA monitoring program.

Project level evaluations (e.g. at the end of the project) that examine how well IPA management was integrated into asset protection and whether this has led to improvement in asset condition.

To what extent have the asset priorities been reviewed and updated?

• Lists of priority assets for IPA management over time. • Process used to review that list. • Completion of the projects to address knowledge gaps.

Evaluation at a region-wide level to test whether the key assets in the region that are threatened by IPAs are on the priority list.

Figure 12: Cactus after treatment.

Appendices Appendices Appendix 1: Roles and responsibilities for invasive plants and animals management in the Mallee region. Organisation

Roles and responsibilities

Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA)

The Mallee CMA is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the regional IPA strategy. The Mallee CMA will consult with landowners and engage with partners in the delivery of the strategy. It may also commission relevant information projects. Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 the Mallee CMA is responsible for providing strategic direction and coordination for land, water and biodiversity management through a formal partnership between the Victorian government and a community-based board. The Mallee CMA is responsible for reporting to government on the state of the whole of the region, including public and private land.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

DPI is responsible for statewide agricultural policy, program development, coordination and research. In the regions, DPI delivers both the agricultural industries programs and through Catchment Management Officers, the soil, salinity and pest programs, including technical advice and enforcement. DPI will largely invest in statewide prevention and eradication programs focused on State Prohibited Weeds, other potentially eradicable high risk weeds and new and emerging invasive animals. Within the region DPI may also invest in containment and asset protection programs focused on managing established declared species (e.g: rabbits). DPI also invests in statewide research programs for both invasive plants and animals. DPI also supports ongoing development of farming systems to reduce incidence of invasive plants and animals that can adversely impact on the natural resources base.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)

DSE delivers many programs on natural resource management and planning in Victoria. Regarding invasive plants and animals, DSE (and Parks Victoria) invests in asset protection programs and, as a land manager, also contributes to statewide prevention and eradication programs. It may also invest in managing both declared and undeclared invasive species, where those species pose an unacceptable environmental risk. They may also invest in prevention, eradication, containment and reduction activities in support of statewide asset protection.

Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria manages parks and reserves in Victoria through a service agreement with DSE. Major parks in the Mallee include Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Wyperfield National Parks. Parks Victoria also manages approximately 130,000ha of reserves in the Mallee, including the Murray River Reserve including Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve that vary in size from 1ha to over 20,000ha. Parks Victoria shares its conservation responsibilities with other public and private land managers. It has an Environmental Management System (EMS) for conserving and enhancing the natural values, and for managing current and potential future risks consistent with national and state legislation and Victorian government policy. Parks Victoria will participate in implementing this strategy, including delivery of programs on its land.

Private Landowners

Landowners have a duty of care to control certain invasive plants and animals. The CaLP Act specifies that landowners are required to take all reasonable steps to manage invasive pests on their land. Ultimately, the success of this strategy will rely on actions of landowners and managers who have the final say on management of their land.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Organisation cont.

Roles and responsibilities cont.

Local Government

Councils implement the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and in part develop and implement planning schemes. The Mallee CMA region includes 7 municipalities, with only the Mildura Rural City Council wholly within the region. Councils own and manage substantial areas of land including public reserves that often have pest plant and animal issues. Some also have environmental officers and deliver advice and/or incentives to landowners and community groups. Most councils have a roadside management plan which will usually include weed and pest animal management.

Landcare Groups

Landcare groups conduct many activities that link strongly to this strategy. Landcare has a major role in planning and conducting on-ground works to protect against the infestation and spread of pests. The Mallee region contains around 27 Landcare groups, with all the dryland covered by groups. Community grants programs are often directed through Landcare groups, with Landcare co-ordinators being a source of awareness and technical advice on pest plant and animal management.

Aboriginal communities

The regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aboriginal communities have strong interest in land management including its cultural sites and places. In addition to having land management roles, the community has a major stake in ensuring that IPA management activities, like ripping rabbit warrens, do not damage cultural heritage sites.

VicRoads

VicRoads constructs and maintains highways and declared main roads, including all aspects of the road reserve. They have responsibility for managing invasive plants and animals on those roadsides. VicTrack owns and is responsible for management of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural railway reserves. Its role includes collaboration between entities in meeting obligations to control pests and protect native vegetation.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Appendix 2: Declared Noxious Weeds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mallee region State Prohibited Weeds Common Name

Scientific Name

Alligator Weed

Alternanthera philoxeroides

Bear-skin Fescue

Festuca gautieri

Black Knapweed

Centaurea nigra

Branched Broomrape

Orobanche ramosa

Camel Thorn

Alhagi maurorum

Giant Knotweed

Fallopia sachalinensis

Giraffe Thorn

Acacia erioloba

Hawkweed

Hieracium spp.

Horsetail

Equisetum spp.

Ivy-leafed Sida

Malvella leprosa

Japanese Knotweed

Fallopia japonica

Japanese Knotweed hybrid

Fallopia x bohemica

Karoo Thorn

Acacia karroo

Lagarosiphon

Lagarosiphon major

Lobed Needle Grass

Nassella charruana

Marijuana

Cannabis sativa

Mesquite

Prosopis spp.

Mexican Feather Grass

Nassella tenuissima

Nodding Thistle

Carduus nutans

Parthenium Weed

Parthenium hysterophorus

Perennial Ragweed

Ambrosia psilostachya

Poverty Weed

Iva axillaris

Salvinia

Salvinia molesta

Tangled Hypericum

Hypericum triquetrifolium

Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes

Branched broomrape is also a declared exotic disease under the Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995.

Regionally Prohibited Weeds Common Name

Scientific Name

African Feather-grass

Pennisetum macrourum

Cape Tulip (One-leaf)

Moraea flaccid

Cape Tulip (Two-leaf)

Moraea miniata

Serrated Tussock

Nassella trichotoma

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Regionally controlled Weeds Common Name

Scientific Name

African Boxthorn

Lycium ferocissimum

Artichoke Thistle

Cynara cardunculus

Boneseed /Bitou Bush

Chrysanthemoides

Hardheads /Russian Knapweed

Rhaponticum repens

Hoary Cress

Lepidium draba

Noogoora Burr /Californian Burr

Xanthium strumarium (incl. X. occidentale & X. orientale)

Prairie Ground Cherry

Physalis viscosa

Prickly Pear (Drooping)

Opuntia monacantha

Prickly Pear (Erect)

Opuntia stricta

Silverleaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Spiny Burr Grass/Gentle Annie

Cenchrus longispinus

Spiny Emex

Emex australis

Wheel Cactus

Opuntia robusta

Wild Garlic

Allium vineale

Restricticed Weeds Common Name

Scientific Name

African Daisy

Senecio pterophorus

African Love-grass

Eragrostis curvula

Amsinckia

Amsinckia spp.

Angled Onion

Allium triquetrum

Apple of Sodom

Solanum linnaeanum

Athel Pine, Tamarisk

Tamarix aphylla

Bathurst Burr

Xanthium spinosum

Bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus agg.

Bridal Creeper

Asparagus asparagoides

Buffalo Burr

Solanum rostratum

Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana

Californian /Perennial Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Caltrop

Tribulus terrestris

Cape Broom/ Montpellier Broom

Genista monspessulana

Chilean Cestrum

Cestrum parqui

Chilean Needle-grass

Nassella neesiana

Devil's Claw (Purple-flower)

Proboscidea louisianica

Devil's Claw (Yellow-flower)

Proboscidea lutea

Dodder

Cuscuta spp.

English Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Flax-leaved Broom

Genista linifolia

Golden Thistle

Scolymus hispanicus

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Restricticed Weeds cont. Common Name

Scientific Name

Gorse/Furze Ulex

europaeus

Great Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Hemlock

Conium maculatum

Horehound

Marrubium vulgare

Hymenachne

Hymenachne amplexicaulis

Illyrian Thistle

Onopordum illyricum

Khaki Weed

Alternanthera pungens

Lantana

Lantana camara

Mimosa

Mimosa pigra

Onion Weed

Asphodelus fistulosus

Ox-eye Daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley

Salpichroa origanifolia

Parkinsonia

Parkinsonia aculeata

Paterson's Curse

Echium plantagineum

Pond Apple

Annona glabra

Prickly Acacia

Acacia nilotica subsp. indica

Ragwort

Senecio jacobaea

Rubber Vine

Cryptostegia grandiflora

Saffron Thistle

Carthamus lanatus

Sand Rocket/Sand Mustard

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Scotch/Heraldic Thistle

Onopordum acanthium

Skeleton Weed

Chondrilla juncea

Slender/Shore Thistle

Carduus tenuiflorus / C. pycnocephalus

Soldier Thistle

Picnomon acarna

Soursob

Oxalis pes-caprae

Spear Thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Spiny Broom

Calicotome spinosa

Spiny Rush

Juncus acutus

St Barnaby's Thistle

Centaurea solstitialis

St John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

St Peter's Wort

Hypericum tetrapterum

Star Thistle

Centaurea calcitrapa

Stemless Thistle

Onopordum acaulon

Stinkwort

Dittrichia graveolens

Sweet Briar

Rosa rubiginosa

Thorn Apple (Common)

Datura stramonium

Thorn Apple (Long-spine)

Datura ferox

Thorn Apple (Recurved)

Datura inoxia

Topped Lavender

Lavandula stoechas

Tree of Heaven

Ailanthus altissima

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Restricticed Weeds cont. Common Name

Scientific Name

Tufted Honeyflower

Melianthus comosus

Tutsan

Hypericum androsaemum

Variegated Thistle

Silybum marianum

Viper's Bugloss

Echium vulgare

Wild Mignonette

Reseda luteola

Wild Teasel

Dipsacus fullonum

Wild Watsonia

Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera (gazetted as W. meriana ‘Bulbillifera’)

Willows2

Salix spp2

Except Salix alba var. caerulea, Salix alba x matsudana, Salix babylonica, Salix X calodendron, Salix caprea

‘Pendula’, Salix matsudana ‘Aurea’, Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, Salix myrsinifolia and Salix X reichardtii. Fisheries Act Noxious Aquatic Species Common Name

Scientific Name

Caulerpa

Caulerpa taxifolia

Ricegrass/Common Cordgrass

Spartina anglica

Wakame Seaweed

Undaria spp

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Appendix 3: Listed invasive animals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mallee region Established Pest Animals Common Name

Scientific Name

Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Hare

Lepus capensis

Feral Pig

Sus scrofa

Feral Goat

Capra hircus

Wild Dog

Canis lupus

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Appendix 4: References Adamson, K. and Annett, S. 2008, ‘Land asset-based approach framework’, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) 2008, ‘Weeds in Australia’, viewed 20 December, 2010. http://www.weeds.gov.au/weeds/why/index.html Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) 2001, ‘Mallee Weed Action Plan 2001-2005’, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, East Melbourne. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2008, Review of noxious weeds in Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/weeds_vic_nox_review. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2009, ‘Weed Spotter Catchment Update: Mallee Winter 2009’, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2009/10, Weed Spotters Newsletter Summer 2009/10. Issue number 8, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2010a, ‘Declared Noxious Weeds – Listed by Common Name’, viewed 28 October, 2010 http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/weeds/general/lc0252a-declared-noxious-weedslisted-by-common-name/tables/lc0252a-table-part-1 and http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/weeds/general/ lc0252a-declared-noxious-weeds-listed-by-common-name/tables/lc0252a-part-2. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2010b, ‘What are Weed Spotters’, viewed 17 November, 2010 http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nrenfa.nsf/childdocs/-C288566198D9F56E4A2567D80005ACFBAD1311E486E564954A2567D80009DE05-0CC3718D3B70C93ACA25737D001727E5-C52DE31C1BEEF7FBC A2573750020A2C6?open. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2011, ‘Mesquite: High-risk Invasive Plants’, viewed 19 November, 2010 http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/weeds/spotters/weed-alert-species/ mesquite. Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 2009a, ‘Guidelines for Preparing Regional Pest Plans’, Department of Primary Industries and Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 2009b, ‘Securing Our Natural Future: A white paper for land and biodiversity at a time of climate change’, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Faithfull, I. and McLaren, D. 2004, ‘Branched Broomrape – Management: State Prohibited Weed’, Landcare Notes, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Frankston.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Hauser, C. E. and McCarthy, M. A. 2009, ‘Streamlining ‘search and destroy’: cost-effective surveillance for invasive species management’, Ecology Letters, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 683-692. Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) 2003, ‘Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy 2003-2008’, Mallee Catchment Management Authority. Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) n.d., ‘Mallee Catchment Technical Bulletin: Mapping Mallee Weeds’, Mallee Catchment Management Authority. Sandell, P. 2009, ‘Mallee Woodlands Bouncing Back – Protecting our semi-arid woodlands from rabbits’ Under Control Pest Plant and Animal Management News, no. 39, p. 5.

High priority Buloke woodlands.

Appendix 5: High Priority Buloke Woodlands Density and Quality

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Appendix 6: Asset descriptions Medium priority for on-ground action Asset

Asset value description

7. M urray River and Floodplain

The Murray River and Floodplain from Nyah to Robinvale includes crown

from Nyah to Robinvale

frontages to the Murray River between Nyah and Robinvale. The Murray River floodplain includes Murray River Public Purposes Reserve, State Forests including Nyah State Forest and Vinifera River Reserve, and other crown land. Murray River Frontage also includes Belsar Island and the Belsar Yungarra floodplain complex which links Lakes Powell and Carpal (Listed on Directory of Important Wetlands, JAMBA and CAMBA). Heywood Lake and Major Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagoon are also listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands. This asset includes significant areas of associated vegetation including Riverine Grassy Woodland and supports the nationally vulnerable Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). Most of the floodplain also has high cultural heritage value for local indigenous communities, particularly areas of river frontage and wetlands. Important cultural heritage sites include Major Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagoon. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities surrounding the Murray River through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration, and habitat destruction. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the grounddwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python. The Noogoora Burr also presents a recreation hazard on the banks and floodplains of the river.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

8. M urray River and Floodplain

The Murray River and Floodplain from Robinvale to Merbein includes crown

from Robinvale to Merbein

frontages to the Murray River between Robinvale and Merbein. The Murray River floodplain includes River Murray Reserve, Murray-Kulkyne Regional Park and Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve. Kings Billabong, Lake Ranfurly and the Wargan Basins are listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands, JAMBA and CAMBA. This asset includes significant areas of associated vegetation including Riverine Grassy Woodland and supports the nationally vulnerable Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). Most of the floodplain also has high cultural heritage value for local indigenous communities, particularly areas of river frontage and wetlands. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities surrounding the Murray River through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration and habitat destruction. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the grounddwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python. The Noogoora Burr also presents a recreation hazard on the banks and floodplains of the river.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

9. Murray River and

Lindsay Island occupies 15,000ha dissected by a number of streams and

Floodplain from Merbein to

billabongs. Wallpolla Island covers 9,200ha and contains 11 permanent and

SA Border including Chowilla

intermittent creeks and a number of temporary wetlands. Lake Wallawalla is a

Floodplains, Lindsay-Wallpolla

large riverine lake and lunette system south of Lindsay Island.

Islands and Lake Wallawalla Lindsay and Walpolla Islands and Lake Wallawalla are part of Murray-Sunset National Park and are listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands, JAMBA and CAMBA and form part of the Chowilla floodplains and Lindsay-Wallpolla Islands MDBC Icon Site. The area also includes River Murray Reserve. This asset includes significant areas of associated vegetation including Riverine Grassy Woodland and supports the nationally vulnerable Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). Most of the floodplain also has high cultural heritage value for local indigenous communities, particularly areas of river frontage and wetlands. Important cultural heritage sites include Lake Wallawalla and Wallpolla Island. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities surrounding the Murray River through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration, and habitat destruction. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the grounddwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python. The Noogoora Burr also presents a recreation hazard on the banks and floodplains of the river.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

10. Cardross Lakes/Koorlong

Cardross Lakes is an artificial wetland created for the disposal of irrigation

State Forest

water and is listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands. Koorlong State Forest contains high priority remnants of Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, which is listed as an endangered ecological community under the EPBC Act 1999. A significant number of cultural heritage sites also occur in this area. Cardross Lakes/Koorlong State Forest is threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration. The population of feral goats is also increasing.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

14. Wyperfield/Big Desert

Wyperfield National Park, Big Desert Wilderness Park and Big Desert State

dunefields

Forest form the largest remnant of uncleared native vegetation in the agricultural areas of south-eastern Australia. Wyperfield National Park is a 356,800ha park characterised by a chain of lake beds connected by Outlet Creek. Big Desert Wilderness Park covers 142,300 ha of semi-arid dunefields and is the largest of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22 wilderness areas. Big Desert Wilderness Park is listed on the Register of the National Estate. Big Desert State Forest covers 150,000ha of semi-arid dunefields and is the largest of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Forest areas. The Big Desert State Park is home to significant areas of Redgum and Yellow Box remnants and the Mallee Dingo and Mallee Fowl. The asset also provides strategic links between Wathe Flora and Fauna Reserve, Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve and Wyperfield National Park. Many cultural heritage sites also occur on public land between Wyperfield National Park and Big Desert Wilderness Park. Areas of Wyperfield/Big Desert dunefields that support threatened Mallee birds also have high populations of foxes, a major predator of ground dwelling species. The population of feral goats is also increasing and wild dogs in the outer 5km of the park are a threat to stock on adjacent farm land.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

15. Annuello Flora and Fauna

Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve is a large eastern outlier of the Murray-

Reserve

Sunset National Park. It is very important for the conservation of rare and threatened flora and fauna and supports a diverse fauna associated with seven vegetation communities, providing habitat for a number of mallee dependent species. It is of particular importance for its populations of the nationally endangered Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata) and the vulnerable Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). Strategic links between Murray-Sunset National Park and Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve are also significant. Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve is also listed on the Register of the National Estate. Areas of Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserves that support threatened Mallee birds also have high populations of foxes, a major predator of ground dwelling species.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

17. Bronzewing, Wathe and

Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve supports mallee vegetation

Wandown Flora and Fauna

communities which are required for the survival of a range of mallee

Reserves

dependent animal species, a number of which are rare or threatened. Species recorded at Bronzewing include the nationally endangered Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata) and Black-Eared Miner (Manorina melanotis). Also present are the Major Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri) and Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) which are considered vulnerable in Australia. The sandplain sub-species of the Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus striatus) and the Desert Skink (Egernia inornata) which are rare in Victoria also occur here. Wathe and Wandown Flora and Fauna Reserves support Mallee Heath habitat which is required for the survival of the Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata). Bronzewing and Wathe Flora and Fauna Reserves are also listed on the Register of the National Estate. Strategic links between Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve, Wathe Flora and Fauna Reserve and Wyperfield National Park are also significant. Areas of Bronzewing, Wathe and Wandown Flora and Fauna Reserves that support threatened Mallee birds, also have high populations of foxes, a major predator of ground dwelling species. The population of feral goats is also increasing in these areas.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

19. Cowangie Gypseous

Cowangie gypseous dunes/plains support areas of Samphire Shrubland, Low

Dunes/Plains and Wetlands

Chenopod Shrubland, and Mallee Box Woodland. Numerous salinas with calcareous and saline wetlands occur both within the State Forest and private lands. Cowangie is threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration, and habitat destruction.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Medium priority for on-ground action Asset

Asset value description

1. Agricultural land

The area of agricultural private land in the Mallee region is 2.3 million ha. The current market value of all agricultural land (including irrigation water) is approximately $2,680 million. Irrigated land makes up 1.4% of the area but 36% of the value of agricultural land. The area under irrigation has grown by around 1,000 hectares per year since 1994. Productive land is the backbone of the economy of the Mallee. The Mallee produces 50% of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cereals, covering both wheat and barley, as well as a high percentage of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irrigated horticulture. Agricultural land is threatened by a broad range of invasive plants and animals. Once established invasive plants are superior competitors for both nutrients and water and provide habitat for invasive animals. Agricultural weeds compete with crops and affect the quality of produce. Their control increases the cost of production, and in extreme cases, can diminish land capability.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

3. Tyrrell Creek and Lake Tyrrell

Tyrrell Creek is an intermittent creek that flows north-west from the Avoca River and is filled when the river floods. Tyrrell Creek leaves the Avoca River between Charlton and Glenloth, flowing north-west to terminate in Lake Tyrrell, near Sea Lake. The section of river within the Mallee CMA region extends from Dumosa in the south to Lake Tyrrell in the north, a distance of approximately 81km. Lake Tyrrell and Tyrrell Creek are both listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands. Parts of this asset also contain high priority remnants of Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, which is federally listed as an endangered under the EPBC Act 1999. The surrounds of waterways and lakes and the boundary between non-alluvial and alluvial areas also have high indigenous cultural significance. Rabbits threaten the buloke woodland communities surrounding Tyrrell Creek and Lake Tyrrell through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the grounddwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

4. Lalbert Creek and Lake

Lalbert Creek is an intermittent creek that flows north-west from the Avoca

Timboram

River and is filled by over-bank flows when the river floods. The creek flows north to Lake Lalbert, then north-west to empty into Lake Timboram. Within the Mallee CMA region, Lalbert Creek flows a distance of approximately 65km, from just west of Lake Lalbert to Lake Timboram. Lalbert Creek is also listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands. This asset also includes significant areas of associated vegetation including Riverine Grassy Woodland. The surrounds of waterways and lakes and the boundary between non-alluvial and alluvial areas also have high indigenous cultural significance. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities surrounding Lalbert Creek and Lake Timboram through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration, and habitat destruction. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the ground-dwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

5. Yarriambiack Creek, Lake

Yarriambiack Creek is a major distributary of the Wimmera River, diverging

Corrong and Lake Lascelles

near Longerenong and flowing north through Jung, Warracknabeal, Brim and Beulah. The creek discharges into Lake Corrong and Lake Lascelles, east of Hopetoun. This asset also includes significant areas of associated vegetation including Riverine Grassy Woodland. The surrounds of waterways and lakes and the boundary between non-alluvial and alluvial areas also have high indigenous cultural significance. Rabbits threaten the vegetation communities surrounding Yarriambiak Creek and Lake Corrong and Lascelles through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration, and habitat destruction. Rabbit warrens also have a significant impact on bank stabilisation and erosion. Foxes are also a major predator of the ground-dwelling threatened Mallee birds and the Carpet Python.

Mallee Invasive Plants and Animals Management Strategy

Asset

Asset value description

16. Yarrara, Meringur and

Yarrara Flora and Fauna Reserve, along with the nearby Meringur and

Mallanbool Flora and Fauna

Mallanbool reserves, contain the largest remnants and best examples of

Reserves

Belah (Casuarina pauper) Woodland surviving in Victoria. The reserves are listed on the Register of the National Estate. Areas mapped as culturally sensitive also exist near Yarrara Flora and Fauna Reserve. Yarrara, Meringur and Mallanbool Flora and Fauna Reserves are threatened by rabbits due to the highly suitable soils. Rabbits threaten the non-eucalypt woodland communities through selective grazing of saplings, which prevents regeneration.