Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the regulation, control and management of invasive species and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Invasive Species) Bill 2002.

 

Submitted by the Towamba Valley Landcare Group

Derek LewisChairman

Stoney Batter

Wyndham NSW 2550

02 6494 2194

fdlewis@bigpond.com

 

 

This Landcare Group is becoming increasingly alarmed at the spread of Fireweed (Senecio Madagascariensis) in the Bega Valley.

 

The weed appears unstoppable as it ravages the landscape, defying the most determined efforts of landholders to bring it under control.

 

Information provided by the Department of Agriculture indicate that fireweed is widespread on the coast of NSW, and spreading inland.  There seems to be no effective way of preventing its spread. 

 

The weed is toxic to animals which eat it.  It is spread mostly by wind dispersing seed over large distances.  A high proportion of seed is viable.

 

Valleys like the Towamba enjoy some protection from the barriers of bushland between it and the surrounding infested zones, but fireweed advances along roads, powerlines and related corridors, and blows from clearing to clearing on the wind.  It is now established here in pockets, and we fear that if no form of control is discovered we will soon be in the same situation as the Bega Valley.

 

We  therefore urge the committee to give some attention to fireweed, and include it on the list of weeds which are to be the particular focus of the Inquiry.