Get on top of weeds before they take over

Published on 12 September 2016

Mildura Rural City Council is calling on residents and landowners to help combat  destructive weeds that are emerging throughout the municipality. 

Late winter rains and warm temperatures have enabled weeds to flourish in public parks and reserves, on naturestrips and along footpaths and roads.

Portfolio Councillor for Environmental Sustainability Judi Harris said khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) and caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) were of particular concern at this time of year.

“Both these weeds have prickles which pose an obvious threat to people and pets using our public spaces,” she said.

Both species are very hardy and easily spread by seed adhered to vehicle and bike tyres, clothing and animals.  Caltrop in particular, flourishes in the warmer months and once the take hold, can be difficult to remove.

“However weeds can be controlled and with effort and vigilance on everyone’s part we can reduce the threat they pose to our parks and nature strips.”

Council undertakes weed control on Council owned property including parks, recreation reserves, public gardens and the nature strips that adjoin them. However, weed control on nature strips, privately owned land and roadsides that adjoin privately owned property is the responsibility of the adjoining landowner.  

“Landowners are expected to proactively remove weeds from their nature strips and private property, just as they are required to mow them and keep them free of waste and rubbish,” Cr Harris said. “We also want to encourage people to report any major outbreaks they notice on Council land to us as soon as possible.”

Removing weeds before they set seed is crucial to ensure their spread is limited and their impact is lessened in years to come.  There are a number of options for weed control including digging it out at the roots and ensuring you remove the entire plant or using a chemical treatment on it. 

“Another great was to limit the growth of these weeds is to take up space with other hardy native plants, which will grow and spread in a similar fashion."

Information about common local weeds and how to control them is available online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/environment. 

Council also has available WEEDeck Identification Cards to help people identify potentially destructive weeds found locally.  WEEDeck’s are available from Council’s Deakin Avenue Service Centre.

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