Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Media Release, 20 September 2021
Lockyer Valley Regional Council is urging landholders to remain vigilant for Fireweed.
Lockyer Valley Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said the invasive weed has the potential to severely impact agriculture in the region if it’s not removed from pastures.
“The Lockyer Valley is such a strong agricultural area responsible for the supply of a large percentage of Australia’s fruit, vegetable and livestock production.
“Fireweed has a distinctive 13-petal yellow flower that can rapidly reproduce more than 10,000 seeds during a growing season, so awareness and attention to detail is extremely important,” Cr Hagan said.
Fireweed is toxic and can have a detrimental impact on human health and grazing stock, tainting milk supply and in some cases leading to the death of livestock and degrading property value. The seeds can be easily distributed by wind, fodder and grazing stock.
“Landholders who suspect they may have Fireweed growing on their property are urged to contact Council for an inspection.
“We also encourage landholders to familiarise themselves with Council’s Herbicide Subsidy Scheme for the control of Fireweed,” Cr Hagan said.
Weeds covered under the Herbicide Subsidy Scheme include:
- Giant rat’s tail grass (GRT)
- Annual ragweed
- Parthenium
- Mother- of- Millions (MOM)
- Fireweed
- Groundsel bush
- African boxthorn
- Harrisia cactus
- Water Lettuce
- Water hyacinth
- Salvinia
Landholders interested in accessing the Herbicide Subsidy Scheme are encouraged to contact Council Pest Management officers for assistance. To access herbicide at a 50 per cent subsidised rate, an officer must complete a Property Pest Management Plan with the landholder.
Further information on invasive Fireweed can be found on the Department of Agricultural and Fisheries website, or to access herbicide subsidy, contact Council’s Pest Management Officers on 1300 005 872.
