Australian Weeds Committee - Newsletter No. 2. January , 2005 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Weed Strategy Revision The National Weed Strategy (NWS) was launched in mid 1997, and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council has recently decided that it should be revised. This will take place during 2005. Of the 26 strategies in the original NWS, 17 have been completed and the balance are being implemented. A great deal has been achieved under the Strategy which include Weeds of National Significance (WONS) and their management, development of training at all levels, increased weed awareness, and an overall improvement in the way that weed issues are addressed across the nation. It is now time to revise the Strategy to reflect the key weed management actions which will need to be undertaken in order to manage weeds at the national level for the next five to ten years. The procedure for the revision will be announced in early 2005, but for those wishing to be involved in the process we request that you send an email to the address below, so that you can be advised of developments in the Revision. The Australian Weeds Committee will be contacting key stakeholders and conducting public consultations as part of the Revision process. Contact - Secretariat – Australian Weeds Committee - jthorp@jta.com.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Core Attributes for Mapping Weeds The Bureau of Rural Sciences has recently published a discussion paper “Towards a national set of core attributes for mapping Weeds of National Significance (WONS)”. The final paper was presented to the 14th Australian Weeds Conference and outlined 13 mandatory and two optional core attributes. This paper also outlines the background and the methods followed including the public consultation that was required to reach a consensus on the attributes. It is important to note that users can add to the core attributes for any purpose, but that the 13 mandatory elements will allow for national, regional and local reporting in a consistent manner. Any individual or organisation undertaking weed mapping is asked to use these attributes in order that their data can be include in future national data sets. Contact - John Thorp (NWMF) - jthorp@jta.com.au http://www.affa.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=B32270CA-C04B-4B48-9B0F89A272C436DA&contType=outputs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Biological Control Act - Procedure The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council Standing Committee Meeting 6, September 2003 endorsed a procedure for determining candidate weed species and/or control agents for biological control, which included decision criteria for when to use the Biological Control Act (BCA). This paper is available from the web link below and outlines the decision making procedure for addressing this issue. Concern has been raised in recent times that the release of agents has been delayed or prevented because member states have been concerned about the legal liability which may arise where a target weed species is used in a productive capacity. Its control could result in a loss to the producer which has the potential to impose a legal liability on the releasing organisation. The use of the BCA is a mechanism whereby some of this liability maybe reduced. The BCA does not provide protection against losses which are incurred by off target damage. It has been noted that using the BCA can be a costly exercise, and Australian Weeds Committee has requested the Department of Sustainability and Environment, to provide a case study relating to Chilean Needle Grass which will provide a practical example for applicants when they consider this matter. Contact - Secretariat – Australian Weeds Committee - jthorp@jta.com.au http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/NRMSC_Procedure_For_Weed_&_Biocontrol.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Information Managers Technical Group – National Surveillance and Incident Response Management Software The National Information Managers Technical Group (NIMTG) is a sub committee of the Primary Industries Health Committee. It has been working to resolve key issues surrounding the need to implement a superior information management application in support of Biosecurity, emergency incidents and routine surveillance and market access. It’s relevance to weeds is that software developed from this program would be used to manage eradication programs, surveillance and monitoring of weed spread at a state, territory, and national level. This software will cover a wide range of incidents which could occur in the national resource setting and includes such incidents as a foot and mouth outbreak, fruit fly outbreak, citrus canker, Siam weed eradication and even social programs such as exceptional circumstances grants. The software included in the surveillance and incident support response package will include modules covering surveillance, control, and recovery, client and resource information systems and resource management package The project has reached a stage where software development will soon commence, and it is vital that weeds workers are involved in order that the final software meets their needs. It is likely that for national cost sharing to be approved that member states will be required to use this package or an equivalent in order to report at the required level. The project is being run by information managers from every jurisdiction in Australia, who represent the Primary Industries Departments. If you wish to be involved then it is suggested that you contact the person responsible in your state. Please contact this office if you need information for your state / territory contact. Contact - Secretariat – Australian Weeds Committee - jthorp@jta.com.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weeds Australian Website Upgrade In July the revised website www.weeds.org.au was launched by Senator Ian Macdonald in Rockhampton, and since that time website usage has tripled because it now carries a weed identification module. This module allows the identification of current or potential weeds for any part of Australia and is based in climate prediction, IBRA regions and cadastral information. It uses a simple key and is designed for use by members of community groups and landholders. The site is based on the WEEDeck card series and carries approximately 170 common species, being expanded as more WEEDeck cards are published. The site also carries a national search facility which is linked to the species information and allows users to obtain control and other information that is published for their species of interest. The site also carries Australian Weeds Committee information, national noxious weeds list and numerous other useful items including detailed pages for each of the Weeds of National Significance (WONS). Contact - John Thorp (NWMF) - jthorp@weeds.org.au www.weeds.org.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spot the Threat - National Pest Hotline A national hotline has been established for new weed incursion, which can be accessed by calling 1800 084 881 in your state or territory. Any reports are immediately referred to the controlling authority for weeds in the jurisdiction where the weed is located. These weeds can also be reported at the Weeds Australia website, and a “Spot the Threat” promotional card is available at the website below, or in hard copy from John. Contact - John Thorp (NWMF) - jthorp@jta.com.au http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/spot_the_threat_post_card.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review of AQIS Weed Risk Assessment System The Review is well advanced and a draft final report has been prepared. However, a few key issues remain to be finalised, and the Review Group will need a further meeting before signing off on their report. It is hoped that the Review Report will be available by the end of March 2005. Contact - Don Hayman (Chair Review Group) - don.hayman@agric.nsw.gov.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eradication of 4 Tropical Weeds An eradication program for Koster’s curse, limnocharis, mikania vine and miconia is underway in far North Queensland. The program has been in operation for two years and is expected to be a five year program. The Queensland Department of Natural Resource and Mines, manages the project with staff and equipment based at strategic locations, at South Johnston and Tolga near Atherton. The program is also supported by local government and other state government agencies. The current control program has significantly decreased the number of plants at known sites in Queensland and interstate. All known infestations are regularly surveyed, and species specific control undertaken, depending on when the species reaches sexual maturity. These infestations are thought to have arisen from gardens, nursery and/or botanic gardens. All these species have the potential to become serious weeds. l Contact - Peter James - peter.james@nrm.qld.gov.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siam Weed Eradication Program Recently the extent of Siam Weed has been reviewed as new infestations have been discovered outside the original control areas. The project has received approval for a two year extension to its funding in order to maintain complete control of known infestations and to complete a revised delimiting survey. This is a very serious weed threat to Australia, and the weed has the potential to be as serious as any of the WONS are today. An extensive effort has been maintained, to ensure that armed services vehicles and equipment are thoroughly cleaned on their return from East Timor in order to minimise the possibility of an occurrence in the Northern Territory. Contact - Philip Maher - Philip.Maher@nrm.qld.gov.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Weeds Management Facilitator - John Thorp Details of the National Weed Management Facilitator’s work can be found on the Weeds Australia website, including progress reports and work program. The Facilitator undertakes a number of tasks which include developing a national network of weed management activities, assisting with weed awareness, acting as first point of contact for national weed enquiries, visiting stakeholders and attending WONS annual meetings, maintaining a watching brief on state and territory legislation, maintaining a watching brief for early warning of new weed occurrences, encourage contingency plans, participate in NIMTG, promote the development of consistent extension products, systematic analysis of national weed control efforts, report regularly to the Australian Government and AWC. Specific details on the work undertaken relating to the above areas can be obtained by downloading the most recent Facilitator’s Report from the address below. Contact - John Thorp (NWMF) - jthorp@jta.com.au www.weeds.org.au/facilitator.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe to this newsletter or remove an existing subscription, please visit our subscription management facility at http://www.jta.com.au/mailman/listinfo/awcnewsletter/ Legal Notice - http://www.weeds.org.au/disclaimer.htm