weeds of national significance

PARTHENIUM WEED

( hysterophorus)

STRATEGIC PLAN © Commonwealth of Australia and the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee, 2001

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Project Manager, National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee.

Supporting information about the National Weeds Strategy, Weeds of National Significance and progress to date may be found at www.weeds.org.au where links and downloads provide contact details for all species, their management committees and copies of the strategy.

This strategy was developed under the leadership of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland with full cooperation of all the States, Territories and Commonwealth of Australia.

Comments and constructive criticism are welcomed as an aid to improving the process and future revisions of this strategy.

Published by: National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee, Launceston For further information contact: John R Thorp, Project Manager For the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee 16 Flowers Court LAUNCESTON Tas. 7250 Telephone: (03) 6344 9657 Mobile: 0419 323 400 Fax: (03) 6343 1877 Email: [email protected] Web: www.weeds.org.au

Publication date: October 2000

ISBN: 1 876977 13 2

Copies available from: Natural Resources and Mines, Qld Land Protection Locked Bag 40 COORPAROO DC QLD 4151 Phone: (07) 3406 2853

Preferred way to cite this publication: Agriculture & Resource Management Council of Australia & New Zealand, Australian & New Zealand Environment & Conservation Council and Forestry Ministers, (2001) Weeds of National Significance Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) Strategic Plan. National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee, Launceston.

Cover design by: Grant Flockhart & Simone Chown, Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Formatting design by: Grant Flockhart

The editors have tried to make the information in this product as accurate as possible. However, they do not guarantee that the information is totally accurate or complete. Therefore, you should not rely solely on this information when making a commercial decision. Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

THE CHALLENGE 2

1 BACKGROUND 3 1.1 The biology of parthenium weed 3 1.2 History of spread 4 1.3 A weed of national significance 6 1.4 Legislative controls 7 1.5 Control to date 7 1.6 Socio-economic factors affecting management 8 1.7 Principles underlying the plan 9 1.8 Process Followed 9 1.9 Relevance to other strategies 9

2 STRATEGIC PLAN 11 2.1 Prevent spread 11 2.2 Awareness and commitment 13 2.3 Reduce the impact 15 2.4 Co-ordinate management 15

3 MONITORING AND EVALUATION 17

4 STAKEHOLDER RESPONSIBILITIES 18

5 ADDITIONAL READING 20

6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 21

7 GLOSSARY 22

APPENDIX 1 QUEENSLAND PARTHENIUM WEED 23 MANAGEMENT GROUP STRUCTURE weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Executive Summary

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) is Parthenium weed is prevented from The a major pest in Queensland with the spreading to and impacting on new vision of potential to spread to all medium rainfall areas. rangelands and summer cropping areas. It is an • Protocols are established to reduce the the annual herb that aggressively colonises disturbed movement and spread of parthenium weed strategy sites. It has major impacts on pasture and • Infestations are detected and recorded through is that: cropping industries, with estimated losses of $16 a surveying and mapping program million per year for Queensland pastoralists. • New and existing infestations are eradicated Parthenium Infestations of parthenium weed also degrade outside core infestation areas weed is natural ecosystems. The plant can produce • Enforcement is used as a management tool. confined to serious allergenic reactions in humans. core infested The community is aware of parthenium areas in Parthenium weed poses a potential risk to most weed and provided with quality Queensland grazing and cropping areas in eastern and information and skills to assist in its and its social, northern Australia. Currently, large infestations detection and reduction. economic and are found in central Queensland, with serious • Raise the community’s ability to recognise environmental outbreaks in the south and west of the State, and parthenium weed, know of its impacts and have impacts are there are sporadic occurrences in northern and the skills required for its management reduced to a central New South Wales. • Increase stakeholders’ commitment to minimum. parthenium weed management. This strategy has been prepared in response to growing community concern regarding the spread The impacts of established parthenium of parthenium weed, both within Queensland and weed infestations are reduced. interstate and the effects of parthenium weed in • Best practice parthenium weed management is production areas, on the environment and on developed and adopted by all sectors human health. It follows from a Queensland • The resources required for parthenium weed parthenium weed workshop in 1999 and management are assessed. incorporates actions from the state containment strategy. Major challenges are to raise awareness Parthenium weed management is of parthenium weed; to stop the spread of weed co-ordinated at a national level. seed via vehicles, produce and livestock; to • Manage implementation of the strategy further improve integrated control and establish • Monitor implementation of strategy economically feasible management practices; and • Coordinate communication about the strategy. to coordinate nationwide management of parthenium weed. The extent to which these outcomes are met will be evaluated as part of a five-year cycle of The strategy aims to deliver four desired review and will determine the success of this outcomes: strategy.

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

The Challenge Parthenium

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) While the greatest impacts to date have been on was first introduced to Queensland only forty-five land used for animal grazing, parthenium weed years ago. In a short period it advanced from has the potential to become a major weed of isolated outbreaks to establish core infestations cropping areas, as occurs overseas. To prevent across the central highlands of Queensland into this from happening, it is imperative to contain New South Wales and the Northern Territory. It parthenium weed within its current distribution, to has the potential to increase in extent and eradicate it where possible, and to raise density in northern and eastern Australia. The awareness and commitment in cropping plant reaches maturity rapidly and produces large industries. quantities of seed that are easily transported by vehicles, machinery, animals, fodder, pasture Progress has been made on the control of seed, stock feed and water. parthenium weed. It can be managed with a combination of methods depending on the site, Parthenium weed causes an estimated loss of including biological control agents, pasture $16 million per year for Queensland pastoralists management, cultivation and chemicals. due to reduced production and increases in Nationally, the emphasis must be on establishing management costs. It also affects cropping detection/monitoring procedures and stopping the systems to the tune of $6 million per year and spread of parthenium weed via vehicles and as a significant costs are expended on roadside contaminant from Queensland. In Queensland, controls. The environmental and social costs of the challenge is to further improve integrated parthenium weed have not been well quantified, control including the impact of biocontrol agents however, in Queensland it has been shown to and economically feasible management practices impact significantly on the biodiversity of the that complement biocontrol to reduce the impact Einasleigh Uplands bioregion and the central of this weed. Management practices aimed at highlands. An important issue is that frequent preventing further spread will be to no avail contact with the plant or its pollen can produce unless the opportunities for establishment of new serious allergic reactions: dermatitis, hay fever infestations in clean areas are radically reduced. and asthma. It has been suggested that some Unless effective and efficient management is landholders do not treat parthenium weed for fear implemented and maintained, parthenium weed of allergic reactions. will continue to impact adversely on agriculture, human health and the environment.

Implementation of the National Parthenium Weed Strategy will contain the spread of parthenium weed in Australia and minimise the impact of established infestations.

A dense parthenium weed infestation

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

Background 1

Parthenium weed is a weed of national significance mechanism of seed, which makes it well adapted (WONS) as it is an annual herb that aggressively to semi-arid environments and increases the colonises disturbed sites. It currently infests over 8 chances of seed burial. In addition, parthenium million hectares of central Queensland but has the weed releases allelopathic chemicals that inhibit potential to infest all medium rainfall rangelands germination and growth of pasture grasses, and summer cropping areas across Australia. legumes, cereals, vegetables, other weeds, and even trees. A member of the family, parthenium weed is the only member of the genus brought As parthenium weed does not reproduce into Australia. Parthenium weed can be confused, vegetatively from plant parts, the only method of however, with a number of other introduced reproduction and spread is by seed (Figure 1). weeds from the family including: seedlings of Seed spread by wind is limited. Movement in cobbler’s pegs (Bidens subalternans); flowers of sheet water flow is important as indicated by bishop’s weed (Ammi majus) and hemlock large colonies along waterways and on drainage (Conium maculatum); and the ragweeds floodplains. Most long-distance dispersal of seed Parthenium (Ambrosia spp.). is by vehicles and farm machinery, as evidenced by the major spread of parthenium along roads. A period of drought followed by rain provides ideal 1.1 The biology of conditions for spread. Drought reduces pasture parthenium weed cover (competition) and increased movement of Parthenium weed, Parthenium hysterophorus, is stock and stock fodder also aids the spread of also known by a large number of other common seed. In particular, flooding after drought is names including false ragweed, star weed, carrot advantageous to the weed, as flood is a dispersal weed and bastard feverfew depending on the mechanism for parthenium seed. country infested. It is an annual or short-lived ephemeral herb, growing to two metres. In summer, can flower and set seed four Parthenium weed is an aggressive coloniser of weeks after germination because they are areas of poor ground cover and exposed soil stressed and small. Buried seeds have been such as fallow wastelands, roadsides and found to last much longer than seed on the soil overgrazed pastures. It does not usually become surface. Timing of chemical control is critical so established in undisturbed vegetation or in that parthenium weed is removed when plants are vigorous pastures, and there is a marked inverse small and have not produced seed, and when relationship between existing plant cover and grasses are actively growing and seeding to weed density. recolonise the infested area (eg in early summer). Studies suggest that after six years, 50% of seed Several aspects of the ecology of parthenium buried 5cm below the surface are still viable. weed contribute to its aggressiveness. These However, unlike other weed species, there is no include the size and persistence of the soil seed critical point where intervention is required, as bank, longevity of seed when buried, fast parthenium weed can produce flowers and seed at germination rate, and the innate dormancy any time of the year under favourable conditions.

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

1.1 & 1.2 Parthenium

1.2 History of spread Parthenium weed is native to the sub-tropical areas of South and North America. It has been matures introduced to many countries in Africa, Asia and in 4 weeks; the Pacific and has become a major weed in out-competes and Australia. The first occurrence of native plants; parthenium weed in Australia was reported at forms dense SPREAD Toogoolawah near Esk in southern Queensland cover; AND late 1950’s. It is believed American aircraft DISPERSAL likes bare SEED landing at a local airstrip transported it. In 1964, ground; BANK it was discovered north of Clermont in central 340 Queensland. Largely unrecognised and untreated, million/ha parthenium weed flourished under good growing seed bank. seasons with seed subsequently spread by vehicles, machinery, animals, fodder, pasture seed, stock feed and water. Expansion of the 15 parthenium weed infestation was most apparent MATURE thousand machinery/ vehicles; along the State's road systems and in areas PARTHENIUM seeds per WEED plant; cleared during the land-clearing program called grain, hay, seed the "Brigalow Scheme". seeds remain for sowing; viable for 10 years. livestock. The current distribution of parthenium weed in low Queensland is plotted in Figure 2. The core area light limits of infestation in central Queensland has been growth; estimated at 8.2 million hectares. Scattered throughout the year but peak infestations occur from Cook shire in the north to after rains; Longreach in the west and south to the border seedlings river towns of Mungindi and Goondiwindi. resistant to competition once Infestations of parthenium weed have been found established; in northern and central New South Wales since reduced by 1982, particularly in Moree Plains Shire. Roadside pasture competition, infestations have occurred along a number of frost, low roads leading out of Queensland, as far south as moisture. Jerilderie and Deniliquin near the Victorian border. Nevertheless, the extent of parthenium weed in NSW has been significantly reduced in recent GERMINATION years. All roadside infestations have been suppressed and all infestations on private land are under active control. In the Northern Territory, parthenium weed has been eradicated from Figure 1. The life cycle of parthenium weed

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

1.2

previous infestations on the Roper River, at Katherine, and in the Gulf of Carpentaria. No regrowth has been observed for several years. The species is occasionally recorded in WA.

The potential distribution of parthenium weed in Australia was modelled using CLIMEX. Parthenium weed is best suited to areas with a summer rainfall greater than 500 mm/annum and could potentially grow in all States of Australia (Figure 3). It has the potential to become a serious weed of medium rainfall rangelands and summer cropping areas. It is unlikely to become a major weed in winter-rain- fall areas as seedling growth is reduced when night temperatures fall below 5ûC, although established Parthenium plants are able to withstand at least one light frost (-20ûC). Parthenium weed grows on a wide range of soil types from sand to heavy clays, it favours

the latter but growth is reduced on acid soils. A mature parthenium weed plant

Figure 2. Current distribution of parthenium weed in Queensland

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

1.3 Parthenium

produce serious allergic reactions such as dermatitis, hay fever and asthma • In one study, 10% of workers on parthenium infested properties developed visible skin allergies to parthenium weed • It has been suggested that some landholders do not treat parthenium weed for fear of allergic reactions, while others have had to leave parthenium-infested production areas due to impacts on their health.

Figure 3. Potential distribution of Environmental: parthenium weed. (Data is splined from a CLIMEX climate prediction. • It is present in 23 reserves and two listed EI=Ecoclimatic Index: EI<10 potential for wetlands in Queensland permanent population low, EI>50 potential very high). • This weed and rubber vine are considered to be the two weeds of greatest threat to biodiversity 1.3 A weed of national in the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion (Sattler significance and Williams, 1999) Parthenium weed currently impacts on a range of • It is described as a significant threat to the land uses as summarised below. native grasslands of the central highlands of Queensland (Fensham 1999) • Disturbances, such as floods, can kill native Primary production: • Reduced pasture production by excluding vegetation and allow parthenium weed to beneficial forage plants, resulting in a establish in otherwise undisturbed native non-nutritious monoculture; estimated cost $16 vegetation sites in native-grasses and open million per year (1992) woodland communities. • Toxic to cattle, may cause death after 30 days if significant amounts consumed Beneficial use: • $1.8 million is spent annually by • Can be used for biogas production and green producers/government on the chemical control manure in central Queensland • Extracts have been used or trialed as a • Increased costs in cropping both in-crop control flea-repellent and a herbicide and headland management • A tea/poultice is used in the Caribbean and • Property devaluation Central America, where the population has been • Allelopathic exudates effect plants somewhat desensitised to allergic effects of • Depreciation of the value of livestock, pasture parthenium weed seed, grain and hay through contamination • These uses are generally not feasible in • Reduce marketing options. Australia because of the comparatively high cost of labour and low population density, and susceptibility of the population to allergic Health: • Frequent contact with the plant or pollen can reactions.

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

1.4 & 1.5

1.4 Legislative controls the vigour of pastures, thereby preventing establishment and helping to smother existing Parthenium weed is declared in all States and plants. It is the most useful method of controlling Territories, except Western Australia where it is large-scale parthenium weed infestations and declared north of 26ûS latitude. preventing new infestations in clean areas. Ploughing-in of parthenium weed before plants The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service reach flowering stage, followed by establishment prohibit the introduction of parthenium weed as with pasture species may be effective. nursery stock or seed into Australia. Cleaning is required when goods or vehicles are found Parthenium weed is generally not a problem in contaminated with the species. competitive crops. It is normally ploughed in before crops are planted, although heavy 1.5 Control to date infestations may need to be reworked. It can be treated with pre-emergent herbicides, but some Parthenium weed management operations have wheat and sorghum crops may require a later been ongoing since the 1970’s. Measures Parthenium herbicide application. Cropping industries incur undertaken to prevent, contain and eradicate $6 million in control costs per year made up of parthenium infestations include: awareness additional herbicides and cultivation due to raising activities by local governments, industry, parthenium weed. The extra harvesting costs community and State government; provision of associated with restrictions on header vehicle washdown facilities (over $300,000 over 3 movements are not included in these costs. years costs shared by QDNR and local governments); provision of free herbicides to Use of herbicides for control is generally landholders and local governments ($120,000 in restricted to roadsides and new infestations due 1998/99); roadside spraying programs; and the widespread nature of the weed, cost of distribution of biological control agents. These chemicals and concerns about chemical residues. actions have reduced the rate of spread of this species, especially along transport corridors. The successful control of known infestations is indicated by a reduction in the area infested by parthenium weed, even though the number of new infestations is increasing. However, this also suggests that prevention measures are currently not adequate or not effective enough to prevent new infestations.

Pasture Management Control of parthenium weed infestations in pasture should revolve around pasture management and timely herbicide treatment. Maintenance of correct stock numbers maintains Parthenium weed flowers

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1.5 & 1.6 Parthenium

Biocontrol 1.6 Socio-economic factors The Queensland government has spent nearly affecting management $9 million to date on the biocontrol program decisions (1977 – 1999). Research and release of agents is Efficient and effective management of ongoing and the levels of control achieved are parthenium weed requires the support and encouraging. An economic analysis of the insect cooperation of many stakeholders. This strategy biocontrol program resulted in a calculated identifies incentives and disincentives to carrying benefit-cost ratio of 2.09. Two recent rust out management. For example, common law releases may provide additional reductions in actions are an incentive for landholders and impact. The summer rust research project producers to control parthenium weed, so as not received significant funds from the Meat and to be held responsible for spread. Livestock Australia ($450,000). Assessment of the impact of the pathogens on weed density is Parthenium weed is affecting landholders’ required. livelihoods through reduced sale prices for produce and livestock, retraction of markets, The Parthenium Action Group Inc. (PAG) is a property devaluation and health impacts. Unlike community group formed in the Queensland other weeds that have some economic benefit central highlands. It is base funded by Natural (eg prickly acacia, hymenachne), management of Heritage Trust ($300,000) to promote Best parthenium weed is made easier by the fact that Practice in the Fitzroy Basin Grazing Lands. there are currently no benefits to keeping the plant and significant benefits to be gained by The New South Wales government spends eradicating it. The benefits are obvious and approximately $100,000 per annum to eradicate immediate. isolated infestations and prevent the establishment of parthenium weed in the State. The costs of control are significant and funds The single largest expense is the border must continue in order to guarantee effective inspectors whose main job is to inspect for cattle national management. In New South Wales, one ticks; the extra time and training required to also landholder spent $105,000 over four years on inspect for parthenium weed are estimated at control of a small infestation. Grain harvesters $40,000 per annum. A sum of $43,400 is estimate that one clean down of their machinery allocated for the 1999/2000 financial from the costs about $2000, mostly due to the time Noxious Weeds Grant for parthenium weed required (1.5 days). Other high-risk vehicles are control works and inspection of roads and not currently treated in the same way; adoption of properties. Local governments match this property hygiene protocols may reduce the amount. burden on these grain contractors.

At the beginning of each wet season, the Northern Territory government monitors sites of previous parthenium weed infestations for regrowth. No regrowth has been found for 3 to 4 years.

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

1.6, 1.7, 1.8 & 1.9

Allergic Reactions 1.8 Process Followed A significant challenge is to overcome The National Parthenium Weed Strategy is based landholders’ fear of allergic reactions from largely on the Queensland Parthenium Strategy parthenium weed. Research to date has shown 1999-2004. This strategy was developed to conflicting results, therefore, it is important to incorporate the outcomes of several stakeholder conduct further research and convey the results workshops, the most recent held in Roma, March to those in contact with parthenium weed. Other 1999. This workshop included 50 attendees with measures include reducing the risk by wearing representatives from New South Wales and protective clothing, control methods that minimise Northern Territory governments and industry. contact and desensitising injections.

This strategy takes in account feedback from over thirty stakeholders who commented on drafts 1.7 Principles as well as input from the management group and underpinning the plan interested parties. This strategy is based on the recognition and Parthenium acceptance of four principles outlined by the The Queensland Parthenium Weed Management National Weeds Strategy: Group (PWMG) was established subsequent to 1 Weed management is an essential and integral the workshop. Its membership consists of a wide part of the sustainable management of natural group of representatives (Appendix 1). The resources and the environment, and requires group’s mission is to coordinate awareness and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. management of parthenium weed and it will 2 Prevention and early intervention are the most oversee the implementation of the state and cost-effective techniques that can be employed national strategies. This group will be expanded against weeds. to create a national management group after the 3 Successful weed management requires a endorsement of the national strategy. coordinated national approach that involves all levels of government in establishing appropriate legislative, educational and 1.9 Relevance to other coordination frameworks in partnership with strategies industry, landholders and the community. The Parthenium weed strategy has been 4 The primary responsibility for weed established to address the threat of parthenium management rests with landholders/land weed across Australia. The strategy is linked to managers but collective action is necessary other national and state resource plans, where the problem transcends the capacity strategies and groups already involved in of the individual landholder/land manager to parthenium weed management. address it adequately.

june 2001 PAGE NINE Parthenium june 2001 PAGE TEN PAGE Weed Species Weed Management Queensland Parthenium weed Strategy 1999-2004 NSW Parthenium weed State Management plan Parthenium APEC Strategy for Southern Queensland Parthenium Weed - WONS Parthenium Weed Strategy NATIONAL STRATEGY NATIONAL (Right) Medium parthenium infestation (Above) Parthenium weed washdown bay Parthenium washdown weed (Above) Pest Management Local Government Pest Management Plans (Queensland) Property Pest Management Plans ICM Pest Management Strategies National Weeds Strategy National Weeds Queensland Weed Strategy Queensland Weed Weed Northern Territory Management Strategy Weeds New South Wales Strategy Regional Pest Management Strategies weeds of national significance of national weeds Resource Management Landcare and Roadside Conservation Plans Road, rail and utility corridor management plans Property Management Plans Queensland Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management Strategy Estuary and Forest, River, Policies Wetland Catchment Management Strategies Regional NRM Plans National Strategy for Australia's Conservation of Biological Diversity National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable Development Scope Scale Local Property National State Regional Catchment weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Strategic Plan 2

Desired 2.1 Prevent spread adoption of best practice management techniques to minimise incursion of parthenium weed into clean Outcome: There is a high risk of intra and interstate spread of areas. It is much cheaper and more efficient to parthenium weed by the movement of vehicles, remove small infestations than to wait until Parthenium machinery, livestock, grain and other produce, and parthenium weed begins to have significant impacts. weed is seed for sowing. Spread can be minimised by the prevented adoption of vendor declarations, stating that efforts Containment programs incorporating roadside from spreading have been taken to ensure that vehicles, produce spraying and supply of free herbicides to local to and and livestock contained are free from parthenium government have been successful in reducing the impacting on weed seed, and adoption of inspection and impacts and rate of spread of parthenium weed. An new areas. washdown procedures. These actions may decrease aim of the strategy should be that over time the the current controls by both New South Wales and border inspection line for grain harvesters and other the Northern Territory governments who expect controls should move from the New South machinery from Queensland to be cleaned when Wales/Queensland border to a line further north. leaving parthenium-infested areas. Interstate and Other containment lines may be developed in other international markets for produce and livestock from areas as well. Queensland may be affected by concern over parthenium weed. For example, some countries that Parthenium weed is widespread in Queensland. Over regulate grain importation from Australia (Malaysia, 100 small infestations have been identified outside Indonesia, India, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Brunei, the core area in central Queensland. Eradication of Eritrea and Kenya) require certification that produce isolated infestations can be achieved by early is free of parthenium weed seed. detection and monitoring procedures. Once weed outbreaks are detected, timely coordinated action The best quarantine controls cannot reduce the risk and the ability to enforce control requires declaration of parthenium weed introduction to zero. It is of parthenium weed throughout all states and important that actions are taken to ensure territories. In particular, parthenium weed should be on-property hygiene and early detection of new declared south of latitude 260û in Western Australia, infestations. Information on the distribution of as computer modelling predicts this area to be highly parthenium weed, including where control works suitable for growth. New South Wales legislation have been completed, is critical to support planning gives government the power to require inspection and decision-making. The degree of detail required and cleaning of vehicles that should decrease the varies with the scale/purpose of the planning e.g. rate of spread. Enforcement should however be used planning for eradication of scattered plants requires as a last resort. The primary emphasis of the knowledge to single plants. strategy is to encourage landholders through involvement in weed management to have ownership Parthenium weed can be spread unintentionally of the issues and consequent outcomes and to through flooding and native animal dispersal. Even coordinate collective action where the problem machinery and livestock that have been cleaned may transcends the capacity of the individual. carry a small amount of seed. Land managers need to be particularly vigilant in monitoring areas close to parthenium infestations and be pro-active in the

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

Strategy Actions Responsibility Rank 2.1.1 Minimise the spread of parthenium: State and Territory 1 • Maintain washdown and inspection facilities/procedures agencies, industry Protocols are • Encourage purchasers to be aware of the source of established livestock, produce, seeds for sowing, and equipment to reduce the movement Prevent weed seed spread by high risk vectors: Industry, State and 1 • Encourage adoption of a voluntary vendor declaration to and spread of Territory agencies complement controls on grain harvesters in New South Government parthenium Wales agencies, PCG weed • Advise public of hygiene protocols and publicise location of washdown facilities • Implement a system where competent commercial or government authorised inspectors certify that machinery is clean 1 Encourage development and adoption of "codes of practice" Industry groups, by producers and agribusiness interests to reduce weed State agencies seed contamination and ensure interstate recognition of the standards set

2.1.2 Establish procedures for early detection of parthenium weed: LG, State and 1 Infestations • Encourage landholders and other members of the Territory agencies, are detected community to report sightings of parthenium weed landholders • Inspect major roads/highways during growing season and recorded through a surveying and Establish procedures for receiving and responding to reports LG, State and 2 mapping of infestations – rapid response capability Territory agencies program Maintain detailed records and reports on all outbreaks - LG, State and 3 maintain a parthenium weed database Territory agencies

2.1.3 Develop a system to define the core infestation areas and QNRM, LG, 1 New and catalogue along with small or isolated outbreaks outside the PWMG core existing infestations Eradicate parthenium weed from small or isolated outbreaks All stakeholders 1 are eradicated Establish a monitoring system for controlled outbreaks LG, State and 2 outside core • Regularly reinspect outbreaks on private property Territory agencies, • Ensure follow-up control treatments Landholders infestation areas

2.1.4 Ensure that parthenium weed is declared under relevant State and Territory 1 legislation throughout all States and Territories agencies Enforcement is used as a management Increase landholder/land manager awareness of Regulatory 1 tool responsibility under relevant legislation agencies (government)

Provide training to authorised officers on procedures and State and Territory 1 guidelines for inspection of properties, machinery and agencies enforcement of legislation

Ensure that the power to inspect and require cleaning of Regulatory 2 vehicles is available and used by authorised officers agencies

Enforce relevant legislation where appropriate Regulatory 2 agencies

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

2.2

Desired 2.2 Awareness and preventing the spread of parthenium weed are commitment not yet 100% effective. NSWAg has been raising Outcome: awareness of parthenium weed for 18 years. A Coordinated regional, statewide and nationwide very successful TV advertising campaign and The awareness campaigns are essential so that the accompanying toll-free number have resulted in community is whole community is aware of the significance of reports of a number of infestations when they aware of parthenium weed. Many groups need to be skilled were small enough to easily eradicate. This parthenium in its identification, including weed officers in all approach is required for other states including weed and states and territories. Anyone travelling through Queensland. provided with infested areas in Queensland may be responsible quality for spreading seed back to their state of origin. It is important that information delivered is information Although strategic washdown and airblast consistent so that the community is not confused and skills to facilities are in place in Queensland there is a by different information. Delivery by members of assist in its need to raise public awareness of hygiene the community may be more successful in some detection and protocols, especially tourists and others that areas as the community will not always respond reduction. drive through infested areas and may be unaware to information delivered by government agencies. of parthenium weed. The frequent incidence of new infestations, both in Queensland and in other states, indicates that measures aimed at

Poster Poster

Magnet

Sticker Postcard

Parthenium Products

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

Strategy Actions Responsibility Rank 2.2.1 Develop and implement a targeted national awareness All state agencies, 1 Raise the program including; PAG, NWP community’s • How to identify the weed and prevent its spread Parthenium ability to • More technical information on impacts for infested areas recognise PAG, PWMG, 1 parthenium Deliver a communication program including; • Television advertising government weed, know • A range of promotional material (posters, stickers etc) agencies, industry of its impacts and have the Develop a list of target groups for the awareness program PWMG 1 skills required for Increase parthenium weed advice and communication in State agencies, 1 its local government areas along the Queensland/New South APEC management Wales/Northern Territory borders

Appoint a Parthenium Weed Advisory Officer for NSWAg 2 NSW/Queensland border region

Collect success stories from the community for use in the PAG, PWMG, 2 awareness program to demonstrate that the community can LCMC, industry make a difference

2.2.2 Raise the profile of parthenium weed as a significant issue RLPB, LCMC, 1 Increase for all stakeholders in all States and Territories and gender Federal, State and stakeholders’ the support required to manage it effectively Territory agencies commitment to parthenium Train key stakeholder operatives in identification, prevention PAG, QNRM, 2 weed and management protocols eg. council staff, Main Roads, NSWAg, NTDPIF management service providers

Ensure decision makers understand the importance of All stakeholders, 2 parthenium weed management and address the Industry, requirements for parthenium weed management during Government. planning and resource allocation cycles agencies

Leaf feeding , bicolorata

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NATIONAL STRATEGY

2.3 & 2.4

2.3 Reduce the impact implementation and evaluation of a management program for each species. Desired Currently, the largest and longest-established infestations of parthenium weed occur in Outcome: The planning process outlined in the National Queensland. Substantial efforts were required to Weed Strategy required: All isolated control outbreaks in the Northern Territory and • Involvement of all stakeholders in developing and New South Wales. Parthenium weed appears to and implementing the strategy. scattered have been eradicated from the Northern Territory, • Integration of the strategy with other existing, infestations while outbreaks occur each year in New South relevant land management programs at all are Wales despite preventative measures. A levels. eradicated concerted, coordinated effort to manage • Assessment of the suitability, availability, and established parthenium weed infestations is requirements for integration of all available necessary to minimise both the impacts in tools for control and awareness. infested areas, and to minimise the risk of further • Utilisation of coordinated community action as spread to clean areas. This can be achieved by the delivery mechanism for implementation adoption of best practice management by all wherever appropriate. sectors. An example of best practice is the use of • Determination of an appropriate funding pre-emergent herbicides in cropping areas to mechanism for the strategy, including decrease the level of infestations. An adaptive identification of the beneficiaries and their management approach "learning from doing" will relative capacity to pay. ensure those research findings on the impacts and • Establishment of performance objectives and ecology of parthenium weed contributes towards methods for their evaluation. refinement of best practice management principles and procedures. Pasture management is crucial, The strategy addresses these issues and will as parthenium weed germinates readily in areas provide a tool in the ongoing coordinated disturbed by machinery or overgrazed by stock. management of parthenium weed in Australia. Community groups such as PAG in Queensland have been at the forefront of delivering extension on best practice and facilitating the spread of biological controls. A revised best management practices manual has recently been released. These actions require support and strengthening. A number of other actions aimed at reducing impact in Queensland are detailed in the Queensland Parthenium Strategy 1999-2004.

2.4 Co-ordinate management To ensure that weeds of national significance are effectively managed the National Weeds Strategy

outlines the need for the development, Parthenium weed seedling

june 2001 PAGE FIFTEEN weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Strategy Actions Responsibility Rank 2.3.1 Parthenium weed management best practice and linkages All stakeholders 1 Best practice to the state strategies are included in planning at various Parthenium parthenium levels: weed • Property (including absentee landlords) management is • Local government developed and • Catchment and Regional Natural Resource management adopted by all Identify research gaps and undertake research on: UQ, QNRM, QDPI, 1 sectors • Ecology / pasture management QEPA • Control techniques • Environmental impacts • Health impacts • Safe work practices (to minimise health impacts)

Communicate research findings, especially relating to QNRM, PAG, 1 health impacts and safe work practices, to landholders and PWMG others in contact with parthenium weed.

Use adaptive management approach to improve best QNRM, QDPI, 1 practice management for parthenium weed landholders

Carry out assessment of impacts of biological control QNRM, 2 agents and pasture management on parthenium weed in landholders core areas

Develop an extension program for best practice PAG, Government 1 management techniques agencies

2.3.2 Form a working group to investigate current resource PWMG 1 The resources requirements for best practice management and future required for funding options parthenium QNRM, QEPA 2 weed Conduct impact study including impacts on cropping, grazing, health and the environment to capture "true APEC, PWMG management picture" are assessed Determine the benefit and cost of parthenium weed control QNRM, QDPI, 1 for best practice management PAG

2.4.1 Establish and maintain a national Parthenium Weed 1 Manage Management Group (PWMG) All stakeholders, implementation PWMG, of the strategy Appoint a national project coordinator State/territory and 1 federal Obtain resourcing for project coordination and management government 1 agencies Collate strategic plan milestones and report on progress 1 2.4.2 annually to NWSEC, stakeholders and funding groups Project coordinator Monitor implementation Establish an ongoing evaluation methodology for the 1 strategy PWMG 1 • Evaluate projects on outcomes not outputs All stakeholders

2.4.3 Conduct communication activities to ensure awareness of 1 Coordinate the strategy, opportunities and achievements Project coordinator communication • Ensure linkages with other strategies to maximise about the awareness strategy Provide a focus for parthenium weed community groups and 2 investigate ways to increase support for these groups All stakeholders

june 2001 PAGE SIXTEEN Parthenium PAGE SEVENTEEN june 2001 NATIONAL STRATEGY weeds ofnationalsignificance Monitoring andEvaluation3 • StateoftheEnvironmentreportingprocesses. • LocalGovernmentareapestmanagementplans • Catchmentmanagementplans • NSWPartheniumWeed StateManagementPlan • QueenslandPartheniumWeed Strategy • Stateweedstrategies • Projectplansfromthisstrategy outlined andundertakenin: source. Monitoringwillincludereviewofactions Program, iffundsaremadeavailablefromthis Reports willbeforwardedtotheNationalWeed a costefficient manner, possiblyawebpage. NWSEC andmadeavailabletointerestgroupsin plan. Annual reportswillbeforwardedtothe meetings willmonitortheimplementationof Management Group,asacomponentofits review. The nationalPartheniumWeed This strategyissubjecttoa5-yearcycleof (Queensland) • Reductionofimpactincoreareasdueto • Coordinationofpartheniumweedmanagement • Progressonremovalofdisincentivesforthe • Legislationsupportingweedseedprevention • Adoption ofvendordeclarationandhygiene • Movementofthequarantineareasnorthinto • Decreaseintheareaofpartheniumweed • Increasedawarenessandimplementationof • Decreaseinnumberofnewinfestations • Increasedsurveying,reportinganderadication • Increasedresourcesforon-groundactions • Increaseddeliveryofextensionmaterial • Clearunderstandingofthesocial,economic • Increasedawarenessofpartheniumweedasa • Nationwidedeclarationofpartheniumweed includes theactionslistedbelow. setofperformanceindicatorsfortheplan A Roadside spraying adoption ofbestmanagementpractices. parthenium state) andbetweenallgroupsinvolvedwith at alllevels(property, catchment,regional, control andnotificationofpartheniumweed is developedandenacted protocols byindustryandlandholdergroups Queensland inside andoutsidethecoreinfestations best managementpractices of isolatedinfestations specific totargetgroupsandsites and environmentalimpactsofparthenium weed ofnationalsignificance weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Stakeholder Responsibilities 4 Parthenium

Private landholders Local Governments (New South Wales) To control parthenium weed on their lands: • Raise awareness of parthenium weed • Property management plans address parthenium • Survey all lands under the local authorities weed control on the property and prevention of control and undertake strategic control spread from the property • Maintain detailed records on all parthenium • Practice on-property hygiene to reduce seed weed outbreaks and submit reports to NSWAg movement via livestock or stockfeed • Inspect all machinery yards, stock food mills • Eradicate small or strategic infestations. and grain elevators • Ensure landholders practice appropriate To be aware of the potential for parthenium weed parthenium weed management, by gaining to spread onto their lands: written undertakings from landholders and • Follow good hygiene practices eg. utilise monitoring their management practices washdown facilities and quarantine paddocks • Administer and enforce the provisions of the for hay, livestock, machinery Noxious Weeds Act. • Ask for and provide a vendor declaration when Utility providers/Agribusiness/Industry buying/selling declarable items • Develop and utilise hygiene protocols and • Be able to identify parthenium weed washdown facilities • Keep an eye out on roadsides, unallocated • Become involved in management plans in state land and neighbours’ farms for infestations. service regions • Alert agencies of new infestations Local Governments (Queensland) • Provide input into mapping exercises. To ensure that impacts of parthenium weed are kept to a minimum throughout the council area: QNRM / NSWAg / NTDPIF • Ensure that pest management plans include To ensure the social, economic and environmental strategic parthenium weed control impacts of parthenium weed are kept to a minimum • Survey all lands under the council’s control throughout the State/Territory: including stock-routes, roadsides and town • Maintain quarantine facilities and measures to commons, and map location and density of minimise interstate spread of parthenium weed parthenium weed • Provide extension and education services to • Liaise with QNRM and community to undertake both rural and urban communities strategic parthenium weed control • Maintain human resource capacity to effect • Ensure that landholders engage in strategic parthenium weed control parthenium weed control activities • Enforce parthenium weed control under relevant • Ensure that washdown facilities are maintained legislation, and support local government and well signposted enforcement where necessary • Administer and enforce the provisions of the • Liaise with community, industry groups and Rural Lands Protection Act including notices local governments to coordinate local • Train other sections of council on parthenium parthenium weed control activities weed issues eg. Environmental officers, • Continue to research efficient, effective, and grader drivers. appropriate control techniques (QNRM).

june 2001 PAGE EIGHTEEN weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

4

Other State / Territory Federal government departments government agencies and corporations • Ensure parthenium weed is declared under • Ensure quarantine controls on entry of relevant government legislation Parthenium weed (AQIS) • Ensure awareness and early detection programs • To ensure uptake by Departmental staff to • Eradicate isolated infestations when found restrict movement of weeds (agencies that • Assist in development of codes of practice and manage land and travel on ensure uptake by Departmental staff to prevent non-government land) seed spread • To ensure parthenium weed control is • Ensure parthenium weed control is undertaken undertaken on all federally managed lands on all government-managed lands, including (Defence, Environment Australia and other national parks and conservation reserves, road federal departments / corporations that reserves, rail reserves and forestry reserves. manage land). • Oversee and manage federal funds including Natural Heritage Trust and National Weed

Parthenium Program (Environment Australia, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries – Australia).

Damage from leaf mining moth larvae,

june 2001 PAGE NINETEEN Parthenium june 2001 L. The PAGE TWENTY PAGE Parthenium hysterophorus NATIONAL STRATEGY NATIONAL 1998 1998 Behaviour of buried and . Weed Research 38, pp 335-341. Research . Weed ). 1992 Noxious Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Australia. Inkata of 1992 Noxious Weeds 1994 The cost of parthenium weed to the Queensland cattle The cost of 1994 2000 Parthenium Weed Best Management Practice. 2000 Parthenium Weed Inc. Screed newsletter PAG 1998-2000 Weed RE 1997 Biological control of parthenium in Australia: progress and Australia: progress in RE 1997 Biological control of parthenium weeds of national significance of national weeds 1999 The Conservation Status of Queensland’s Bioregional The Conservation Status of Queensland’s 1999 1999 Parthenium Weed - Problem Specification and Planning Workshop. - Problem Specification and Planning 1999 Parthenium Weed SB 1999 The economic benefit from investing in insect biological control of The economic benefit from investing SB 1999 Parthenium hysterophorus Parthenium hysterophorus 1999 Native grasslands of the central highlands, Queensland, Australia. Queensland, 1999 Native grasslands of the central highlands, 1993 Parthenium weed workshop report. Rockhampton 12-13 October 1993. 1999 Queensland Parthenium Strategy 1999-2004. Queensland Natural Resources and 1998 Parthenium weed. Pest Fact PA2. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines. Queensland Natural 1998 Parthenium weed. Pest Fact PA2. Biology of Australian Weeds, Vol. 2 (edited by Panetta FD, Groves RH and Shepherd RCH). 2 (edited by Panetta FD, Groves Vol. Australian Weeds, Biology of RG and FJ Richardson. pp. 157-176 SC,Navie FD, Panetta RE & Adkins SW McFadyen Report for Queensland Natural Resources and Mines. Report for Queensland Anon FD Chippendale J and Panetta Plant Protection Quarterly 9: 73-6. industry. Dhileepan K and McFadyen on Parthenium Management. Ed. Mahadevappa and Patil prospects. In First International Conference Agricultural Sciences, Dharward. pp. 40-44 University of RJ Fensham Rangelands Journal 21 (1) pp 82-103. SC,Navie RE, McFadyen FD & Adkins SW Panetta surface-sown seeds of Parsons WT and Cuthbertson EG pp. 292-296 Parthenium Action Group Inc. Inc. DPI and PAG Parthenium Action Group Inc. P and WilliamsSattler V Agency. Ecosystems. Queensland Environmental Protection B and Bilston LJ Toms Roma 16-17 March 1999 C Walton Mines. White GG Adamson D and Bray parthenium weed ( Additional Reading 5 Additional weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Acknowledgments 6

This document was prepared and compiled by Eleanor Glenn and Craig Walton, Queensland Natural

Resources and Mines. Thanks go to the 52 participants from three states at the Roma workshop which

lead to the development of the state parthenium weed plan and the over 30 groups who commented

on the strategy drafts, without whose support this document would not have been possible. The

authors thank Larissa Bilston for facilitating the Queensland parthenium weed workshop in Roma in

1999. Ben Lawson and Marc Bryant are thanked for their development of the CLIMEX

prediction map. Parthenium

Vehicle spraying

june 2001 PAGE TWENTY ONE Parthenium june 2001 PAGE TWENTYPAGE TWO NATIONAL STRATEGY NATIONAL (Left) Dense parthenium infestation clearing before (Above) Sorghum crop free of(Above) parthenium weeds of national significance of national weeds Parthenium APEC (Awareness, Prevention, Eradication and Containment) Strategy Prevention, Eradication and APEC (Awareness, Parthenium for Southern Queensland and Inspection Service Australian Quarantine system developed by CSIRO Simulation modeling Organisation Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Integrated Catchment Management (Queensland) Landcare and Catchment Management Council Local Government Natural Resource Management Agriculture New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Territory Northern Program National Weed Executive Committee Strategy National Weed Action Group Inc. Parthenium Parthenium Containment Group – Queensland Management Group Parthenium Weed Agency Queensland Environmental Protection Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Queensland Department of Primary Industries Queensland Farmers Federation Queensland Murray/Darling Basin University of Queensland Significance of National Weed AQIS CLIMEX CSIRO ICM LCMC LG NRM NSWAg NTDPIF NWP NWSEC PAG PCG PWMG QEPA QPWS QNRM QDPI QFF QMDB UQ WONS APEC Glossary 7 Glossary weeds of national significance

NATIONAL STRATEGY

Appendix 1

Mission: Queensland Parthenium weed Management Group Structure To lead and Functions coordinate • Provide a long-term platform for community involvement in parthenium weed management awareness • Champion education, awareness and communication on parthenium weed and • Monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the strategy management • Identify and access avenues for increased resources including funds of parthenium • Continue to improve the strategy over time and ensure it is consistent with other strategies weed. • Advise the Rural Lands Protection Board on parthenium weed issues.

The group is made up of nominees or representatives of the organisations/groups in the boxes below.

Elected Chairman

Rural Lands South East Qld Pest Landcare and Far North Qld Protection Board Advisory Forum Catchment Management Pest Advisory Forum (RLPB) Council (LCMC)

QNRM QNRM QNRM QNRM QDPI QDPI QDPI RLPB QPWS QEPA/ QPWS QEPA QEPA/QPWS Local Govt Association Main Roads Great Barrier Reef Marine Park AQIS (Tambo Shire Council, 30 SEQ Shire Councils Authority Wet Tropics Management Herberton Shire Council) Canegrowers South East Qld Water Board Authority AgForce Dairy Farmers Qld Farmers Federation Shire Councils: Atherton, Qld Fruit and Vegetable Cardwell, Cook, Douglas, Growers AgForce Canegrowers Eacham, Herberton, Qld Dairy Farmers Council Fruit & Vegetable Growers Cotton Australia Hinchinbrook, Johnstone, Mareeba Qld Cane Growers Council LCMC groups United Graziers’ Association Cape York Pest Advisory Qld Graingrowers Association Local environmental groups Community Reps – North, North West, West, Central, Committee South, South East Cane Protection and Indigenous Land Management Productivity Board Parthenium Action Parthenium Health Facilitators Canegrowers Queensland Commercial Bureau of Sugar Experiment Group Inc. (PAG) Group Fisheries Organisation Stations Local Government Association Herbicide industry reps Qld Department of Dairy Farmers Landholders from north Initial membership: Communication, Information, AgForce Qld to NSW Central Qld landholders Local Government and Planning Local Government LCMC Groups (Mitchell River, General practitioner Greening Australia Queensland Tableland, Herbert, QNRM, QDPI, NSWAg Belyando Shire Council Queensland Conservation Endeavour/Annan) LCMC groups Central Qld University Council Industry reps: herbicides, mining PAG Central Highlands Parthenium AgForce Australian Grain Utility Provider Pest Management APEC Team Harvesters Group Group Association (Oil companies) QNRM QNRM, QDPI NSWAg NSWAg QEPA/QPWS SW Local Govt Association Parthenium QNRM Shire Councils: Darling Downs Local government Study group Peak Downs, Association Jericho, Belyando, Queensland Murray Darling Committee Bauhinia, and Emerald PAG NTDPIF PAG QNRM, CSIRO Graziers – north, central, east, west QDPI, PAG NSW rep (landholder) UQ, Landcare Industry representatives: AgForce, Mining and extraction

june 2001 PAGE TWENTY THREE