Objective
To develop and produce a standard, custom-made National Pocket Guide for Weed Identification by pooling the resources of weed management organisations across Australia. This pooling arrangement will enable participating organisations to produce a cost effective weed identification deck with flexibility to carry their corporate identity and species mix relevant to their jurisdiction, land management objectives, organisation objectives and climate.
1. Background
1.1. National Weeds Strategy
The proposed national pocket guide will contribute to the fulfilment of a number of objectives that are outlined in the National Weeds Strategy. A strategic approach to weed problems of national significance.
The objectives being targeted include:
- Objective 1.2 - To ensure early detection of, a rapid action against, new weed problems.
- Objective 2.2 - To deal with established weed problems of national significance through integrated and cost effective weed management (the pocket guide can be used as a part of the community education component for weed management groups).
- Objective 3.1 - To strengthen the national research, education and training capacity to ensure ongoing cost effective, efficient and sustainable weed management (as a tool that can be used in education and training)
1.2. Awareness Programs
Existing weed related textbooks are an excellent resource, available to many Australians but are cumbersome items that are likely to be damaged when taken into field situations. The pocket guide is aimed at field identification of weeds, with textbook quality pictures and key identification traits customised for the specific user. This material does not replace formal identification methods, but should improve early detection of serious weed problems. The use of the pocket guide will assist all agencies with field awareness programs for key target audiences. Many State/Territory Governments are focusing on the need to raise community awareness and this pocket guide offers one avenue that can be used as part of an overall awareness program. The lack of weed identification often allows weeds to become established before management is implemented.
1.3. Monitoring of weed spread
The pocket guide will be a useful tool that will assist Australians in the monitoring of weed spread particularly when linked to existing community based monitoring programs such as waterwatch, pasturewatch and weedwatch.
1.4. Early identification of weed species
The pocket guide will be useful for the early identification of weed occurrence and will aid the community in identifying weeds at any early stage thus avoiding or minimising future economic, environmental and agricultural weed impacts.
1.5. Progress to date
New South Wales Agriculture commissioned the development of a pilot pocket guide for weed identification by Sainty and Associates which displays fifteen weeds. This was trialed nationally in 1999 by the NWSEC and a final product designed with additional cards being developed for sale in 2000.
1.6. Multiplicity of other products
There are a number of identification products currently available in different forms, each with some advantages and disadvantages. A national pocket guide that is agreed upon by multiple stakeholders will combine the best features of existing products to reduce the expensive and resource inefficient printing costs that exist across Australia.
2. Concept
2.1. Easy Identification
The pocket guide will offer users good quality photographs that display distinguishing weed features needed for identification and easy to follow descriptions aimed at community groups and field operatives.
2.2. Convenient Product
It is believed the pocket guide will be an innovative yet convenient guide that can be used at all levels. Its size will allow clients to carry the product in their shirt pockets, tractors, utes, purses, backpacks, school bags etc.
2.3. Cost and Resource Effective
Weeds do not change in appearance and many State/Territory agencies deal with the same weed issues. The sharing of resources at the set up stage will reduce duplication and pressure on current staff resources. The contracting of a private publisher to handle the production of this national product allows State/Territory resources to concentrate on important localised issues. This also provides product continuity and widens its availability.
2.4. Custom-made for all Australian Environments
Although the pocket guide will be developed nationally by combining sponsoring organisations at the set up stage. The final product can be custom-made to suit any situation, i.e. aquatic weeds, arid environments, wetlands, rainforests, bushland, new incursions, climate, legislative control, jurisdiction etc.
2.5. Commercially marketed
By working jointly with a commercial publisher there is an increased opportunity for the card deck to be marketed commercially. The publisher will be required to liaise with the nominated sponsoring organisations to ensure that there are no breaches of existing policies, where their name is directly involved.
2.6. Corporate Identity
Agencies that sponsor the set up costs of particular cards will be entitled to display their corporate identity on each card sponsored. Organisations or agencies that purchase a production run of card decks will have their corporate identity displayed on the front of the entire pocket guide, followed by information cards as desired.
2.7. Professionally Produced
A publisher following a tendering process that meets the policy requirements of sponsoring organisations congruent with national competition policy will professionally produce the product. It is expected the publisher chosen will have in their possession high quality weed identification photographs and descriptions, with a proven record in publishing plant identification materials.
2.8. Standardised National Product
The standardising of a weed identification format provides the Australian community with information that will be consistent across the country. A standardised national product also increases the ease with which information can be added to existing products at minimal expense. The standardisation will also allow agencies to include cards that have been sponsored by other states/territories into the combined customised card pocket guide, avoiding species duplication.
2.9. Weed List
An Australia wide weed list will be generated and agencies that participate in the set up costs will nominate cards that they wish to sponsor and develop based on their requirements.
3. Target Audience
Target audiences include:
- Community based groups (Landcare, bushcare, Catchment Groups, Coastcare, Friends of groups etc.)
- Government Officers (Local, State and Federal)
- Labour market program participants
- Education Institutions (TAFE, universities, schools)
- Industry (weed control operators, private enterprise agronomists etc.)
- Private Landholders
- Real Estate Agents and Valuers
- Special Interest Groups (Frog Societies etc.)
4. Applications
The national pocket guide has many avenues to which it can be applied. It is believed this product could be linked to many existing programs. Examples include:
- Waterwatch
- Pasturewatch
- Weedwatch
- Friends of the Herbarium
- National competency standards and training
- Other education institutions and curriculums
- Utility providers (Telstra, Optus, Electricity Providers, Gas Providers etc)
- Financial Institution Rural Lenders
- Private sector to improve weed control.
5. Pilot Testing and Market Research
1000 copies have been distributed throughout Australia to collaborating agencies and key target audiences. A survey was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the pocket guide and determine any changes needed. The market research will also determine the indicative costs. It is believed this pilot testing and market research phase will result in a product that satisfies the needs of both the collaborating agencies involved with the set up costs and those interested in developing a customised deck for their needs.
6. Corporate Recognition
Corporate recognition of agencies that fund the set up costs of cards will be displayed on the back of each card that they sponsor. Corporate recognition of organisations that pay the printing costs of a customised card deck will displayed on the front card.
7. Ownership
Ownership of photographs that are used in the production of cards will remain with the contributing organisation or individual and will be duly acknowledged. Content copyright will reside with the publisher and the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee subject to the approval of the content by the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee.
8. Evaluation (Updating Policy)
Every card will be evaluated and revised at the end of the third financial year following its original publication date. Those organisations that sponsor the development of specific weed cards will have first option to re-sponsor that particular card.
9. Future Product Development
It is believed that as agencies produce specific pocket guides the profits gained from sale can be channelled into the set up costs required for the development of other weed cards. The modular pocket guide format will allow future card decks to be updated at minimal cost without the requirement to produce an entirely new publication.
10. Enquiries
Please direct all enquiries regarding WEEDeck to the publishers:
 SITE MAP
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