Murrindindi Shire Council, Media Release, 22 October 2021

Have you heard of Chilean Needle Grass? It’s a perennial tussock-forming grass and is one of 32 declared Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) in Australia. It’s commonly mistaken for native spear grass, but has potentially disastrous economic and environmental impacts.

Murrindindi Shire Council recently commenced its Rural Roadside Weed Control Program to treat many of our roadsides for noxious weeds, including Chilean Needle Grass. We’re asking everyone to keep their eyes peeled for this weed. If you find Chilean Needle Grass on public land or on your own property, please get in touch with Council.

Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Karine Haslam said Chilean Needle Grass is a WoNS because of its ability to spread quickly and out-compete pasture and native grasses.

‘This grass can severely reduce pasture productivity and contaminate hay. Its needle-like seed can injure both stock and other animals by burrowing into their mouths, hides and fleeces’, said Cr Haslam.

‘Chilean Needle Grass has been found in patches along the Goulburn Valley Highway from Molesworth to Homewood, the Melba Highway from Yea to Murrindindi Road and the Yea-Whittlesea Road from Yea to Deepdene Road. It has also been found on several municipal roadsides within these vicinities and in patches along the Great Victorian Rail Trail.

‘Now is the time to identify Chilean Needle Grass while it is in flower and there is a small window of opportunity to treat between flowering and seed set. Given the weed’s ability to create persistent seed, it is important to act quickly and collectively to remove any known sites as well as newly-established infestations.

‘Chilean Needle Grass produces seed in the base, stem and panicle of the plant so slashing or grazing (before flowering and seed set), alone won’t adequately control it. In fact this weed is known to be spread by slashers and other machinery, so good vehicle hygiene is important in preventing its spread. A combined approach, which includes chemical control, is most likely to deliver the best result’, Cr Haslam said.

‘It is a requirement for land owners and managers to control ‘restricted’ weeds on their property and these weeds cannot be transported or sold lawfully within Victoria – this is especially important for hay growers to note’, Cr Haslam added.

If you suspect you have this weed on your property but are unsure and would like help with identification of this pest, please also contact Council on 5772 0333 to discuss before treating to avoid the inadvertent removal of Australian native spear grass.