Weeds

Environmental Weeds are widely recognised as a major threat to the biodiversity values of the South West.

Environmental weeds negatively impact bushland by:

• Displacing native plant species through competition for space, water and nutrients.
• Reduce wildlife habitat values.
• Increase fuel loads for fire risk.

The City of Busselton is actively undertaking weed control works in bushland reserve areas and other natural areas throughout the City. The development of the Strategic Weed Action Plan 2021 is assisting to guide the City’s weed program by:

• Prioritising weed species and priority areas for weed control.
• Compiling weed mapping data.
• Building community capacity through the Friends of Reserve Program on weed mapping and control.

Arum Lily 

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) originates from South Africa and is a major weed in the region.

• Arum lily infests native bush, wetlands and agricultural areas.
• It can outcompete native flora and is toxic to both native fauna and livestock
• Seeds are easily spread by birds and plants have large underground tubers, meaning they can resprout from disturbances.

City of Busselton Arum Lily Control

• The City control arum lilies on City managed land, including reserves, road reserves and other areas.
• Areas of high conservation value, such as Meelup Regional Park, are prioritised for control.
• The City is part of the four Local Governments, One Weed project. The Cities of Busselton and Bunbury and Shires of Capel and Harvey have received a grant to control arum lily across the four local government areas. Funds will go towards providing landowners with chemical, workshops, targeted roadside control and contractor assistance for arum lily control on private land. For more information, please see here.
• The City also supports the Arum Lily Blitz (see below) run by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region. 

What can you do? Join the Arum Lily Blitz

• The Arum Lily Blitz is run by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and supported by the City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Lower Blackwood LCDC, Yallingup LCDC and Margaret River Busselton Tourist Association.
• Almost 2000 landholders have already joined the Blitz and are controlling arum lily on their property.
• The project runs workshops, provides free chemical and can provide contractor support to qualifying landowners
• Visit one of the below stores to receive free chemical to control arum lily at your property
• Vasse General Store – Northerly St, Vasse, WA, 6280
• Dunsborough Rural – 16 Clark St, Dunsborough, WA, 6281
• Busselton Agricultural Services – 41 Barlee St, Busselton, WA, 6280
• For more information on the Arum Lily Blitz, please see here.

What else can you do?

• Join a local Friends of Reserves group who care for City managed reserves. For more information please see here or contact a City Environmental Officer on 9781 0444
• When bushwalking, snap off arum lily flowers. While this will not kill the plant, it will stop seeds forming and so stop new plants spreading

Further Information

How To Control Arum Lily

Woody Weeds 

Woody weeds are wattles, eucalyptus and other large shrubs and trees which are not native to the local area and have spread into local bushland. Often, they are native to other parts of Australia and have been used in historic revegetation and rehabilitation projects, as shelterbelts and screening, and as garden plants. As they lack the predators and diseases found in their native range, they proliferate in local bushland and outcompete native plants. As they spread, they can form a thick midstorey layer, greatly increasing the fire fuel load of the bushland and changing the vegetation and soil structure.

Removal is normally straightforward as woody weeds can respond well to treatments like felling, cutting and painting and ringbarking. Chemical control is normally essential to ensure plants do not resprout from the roots. Native animals, such as Western ringtail possums, can form dreys or nests in some species, so carefully inspect before removal and take a staged approach if required. A list of common woody weeds is provided below and resources for further information on identification and treatment options. If woody weeds are identified in City of Busselton managed bushland, please report to City Environment Officers on 9781 0444 or city@busselton.wa.gov.au.

Common woody weed species:

• Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia) – golden flowers during July/August
• Flinder’s Range Wattle (Acacia iteaphylla) – silvery leaves with yellow flowers June/July
• Australia Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) – large tree with dark grey bark, often found in creeklines and wet areas
• Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) – the leaves smell like turpentine when crushed
• Myrtle-leaved Milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia) – medium shrub, bright purple flower, weed in coastal vegetation
• Common Fig (Ficus carica) – please use a net to prevent birds and animals spreading seeds into bushland

Resources

Weed Brochure in the Geographe Catchment

Woody Weeds of the Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin Region

Related Information

MyWeedWatcher App