The Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group is already coordinating, through the Cross Catchments Weeds Initiative of its catchment committees, a Parkinsonia Control Program that involves agencies, local government and landholders in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.

Assessment of a Parkinsonia infestation.

The National Prickle Bush Management Group (NPBMG) consists of a mix of community and agency representatives across northern Australia, and has been formed to coordinate action, and harness national commitment in the fight against three of Australia’s worst weeds – prickly acacia, parkinsonia and mesquite.

Planning a control campaign.

All three are recognised as Weeds of National Significance (WONS). Prickly acacia already covers 6 million hectares of Queensland’s Mitchell grass downs and threatens a further 50 million hectares of native grasslands. Parkinsonia infestations amount to 800,000 hectares of mostly watercourses and floodplains, while mesquite has aggressively invaded 800,000 hectares of rangelands to date.

A major role of the NPBMG will be to oversee the implementation of the respective national strategies for the three WONS. Due to similarities between the three – including their geographic distribution, potential spread and general appearance – the group intends to coordinate joint initiatives and action wherever possible.

Approximately $3.5 million in funding has been provided by the Commonwealth Government (Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia) to assist in implementing the national strategies for the three weeds over a two year period.

To advance on-ground efforts, the NPBMG has recently assessed community devolved grant applications for the three weeds. Twenty projects have been recommended for funding and a second round of devolved grants funding is to be advertised in mid-March.

For further information contact Nathan March on (07) 4742 1404.