weed management underway in the dandenongs

After months of planning and coordination the Dandenong Ranges Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative is underway.

The Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative sees $1million of state government funding put towards weed management at three sites across the Dandenong Ranges. Council wil be matching that funding dollar for dollar for weed control and management on council land.

For the initiative to be successful over the long term weeds must be managed at a landscape scale. This requires the combined efforts of friends of and landcare groups, private landholders and public land managers. Weeds know no boundaries and don't mind who manages the land, that's why it's important to get all land managers on board.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has the lead role in coordinating the project under the direction of the Project Working Group. The Group is made up of representatives of council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, DSE and Vic Roads. Yarra Ranges will also play a key role in coordinating works with Landcare, Friends of Groups and private landowners to ensure combined efforts have the greatest impact on reducing weeds and improving biodiversity.

Works in the Dandenongs will be targetted in three specific areas. These areas were selected after considering quality of vegetation, weed threat, community support and uptake of community grants and incentives.

In the next six months work will continue on council managed land (reserves and roadsides) and develop a community engagement plan. If you'd like to know more you can email the shire at enviroadmin@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.