A trial using a drone to tackle invasive weeds clogging Gunbower Creek is looking promising.
A $100,000 Victorian Government investment allowed North Central CMA and Goulburn Murray Water to trial drone spraying technology alongside conventional boat based spraying to tackle the highly invasive pale yellow water lily in a section of the creek over summer.
Pale yellow water lily is an invasive weed that reduces creek capacity for irrigation and water for environment delivery, and restricts access for recreation such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.
It can also impact threatened native plant and fish species, including the critically endangered silver perch and the threatened golden perch and Murray cod.
Focus
The summer’s spraying program was focussed on an 80 kilometre stretch of the creek between the National Channel and Koondrook Weir, mostly via boat based spray rigs.
Before and after photos of a sprayed segment of river. Photo: Buloke Times
Drone spraying was trialled along a small section of the creek at Jumbo’s Cut.
“We wanted to find a way to treat sections of the creek we couldn’t access by boat, and test whether it could be done successfully,” North Central Catchment Management Authority Project Manager Amy Russell said.
“It is early days, but we couldn’t be happier with the results so far. Not only were we able to access hard to reach areas, but if the trial proves to be effective, it may allow us to reduce the amount of spray we use to effectively control this weed.
“The drone also helped prevent the ‘umbrella effect’ occurring, where the leaves at the top protect the leaves below. The down draft from the drone allowed the spray to penetrate deeper into the dense infestations.”
Further trials
The North Central CMA is hoping to use the trial results as a basis for further trials.
“The community is behind our goal to reduce the impact pale yellow water lily has on the creek and prevent it from entering nearby wetlands such as Reedy Lagoon, but it’s a big job,” Ms Russell said.
“Gunbower Creek is important economically, culturally, and environmentally to this region, which is why managing this weed is so important.
“We know spraying works. Over the past four years, the program has reduced the infestation by about 80 per cent in treated areas.
“Fish and frog friendly”
The spray used is fish and frog friendly.
The spraying program is part of a $248 million investment by the Victorian Government over four years (2020-2024) to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 28 June 2024.
