Threats and Management Issues
Vegetation Clearance
Timber harvesting (and agriculture) is a significant contributor to vegetation clearance in the North East region of Victoria. Potentially threatening processes associated with such clearing may affect individual plant species through direct impacts such as falling, snigging and loading and indirect impacts on a site and surrounding vegetation, and the impacts of a cycle of harvesting on forest structure and ecology. Potentially threatening processes directly associated with harvesting operations include damage or loss of individuals, disturbance to the superficial soil structure or soil-stored seedbanks and compaction of the soil surface on snig tracks and log landings (C of A and VicRFA SC, 1998).
Threatened Plants
Threatened plants in the region may be variously protected under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Listed species are managed according to guidelines in approved Action Statements or National Recovery Plans.
- List of threatened flora species under FFG Act
- List of threatened flora species under EPBC Act
The State Government’s goal for weed management programs is to minimise the economic, environmental and social impacts of declared and potential pests for community benefit.
The North East Regional Catchment Strategy goal is to ensure sustainable resource management whilst increasing productivity and community viability for the benefit of the North East region and the downstream community.
The weed management strategies (outlined in the NECMAs Draft North East Region Weed Action Plan) for the next five years are:
1) Prevent the introduction and establishment of new and emerging weeds.
2) Increase the level of catchment community responsibility for weed control.
3) Contain and reduce the impact of existing weed infestations.
4) Develop a partnership approach to weed management.
5) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of weed management in the region.
Each of these goals has an implementation plan which details aims, actions, responsibilities and timeframes.
The State Government will continue to be responsible for eradicating State Prohibited Weeds in the North East CMA region. Currently, there are four known species, including Alligator weed, Camel thorn, Black Knapweed and Mesquite. Meanwhile, current regional priority weeds have been determined through the North East Regional Catchment Strategy. They include African lovegrass, Paterson’s Curse, Blackberries, Prairie ground cherry, English broom, St John’s wort, and Noogoora burr. The impact of each varies depending on their location and community’s capacity to manage them. Therefore, community groups are encouraged to set their own standard of control through LAPs. Finally, new and emerging weeds in the region include Chilean needle grass, Silver-leaf nightshade and Serrated tussock.
Weed control targets for the North East are:
| Weed Control Program | 5 Year Target |
| State Prohibited Weeds | All known infestations treated for containment and/or eradication. |
| Regional Priority Weeds | 100% of all priority areas managed under group control programs. |
| New and Emerging Weeds | All known infestations treated for containment and/or eradication. |
During 1998-99, Parks Victoria conducted invasive plant programs on various plots of public land throughout the North East. These programs targeted weeds such as English Broom, Paterson’s Curse, Himalayan Honeysuckle, St John Wort and blackberry. Joint projects have been established between NRE, the North East Catchment Management Authority and local government during 1998-99 to tackle blackberry in the region (particularly in the Upper Ovens catchment).
The Good Neighbour Program provides for works on roadsides and public lands to reduce the threat of further spread and invasion of invasive plants. In 1998-99, the NECMA received 120 expressions of interest, resulting in twenty-four projects being funded.
(NECMA, 1999)
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2008.
This document was last reviewed on 04/09/2008