Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024
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Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 1 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 Table of Contents 1. Acknowledgement of Country _________________________________________ 3 2. Executive Summary __________________________________________________ 3 3. Introduction ________________________________________________________ 4 3.1 Our Municipality ______________________________________________________ 4 3.2 Our Vision __________________________________________________________ 5 3.3 Our Natural Resources ________________________________________________ 5 3.4 Purpose of the Plan ___________________________________________________ 5 4. Background ________________________________________________________ 6 4.1 Invasive Plants ______________________________________________________ 6 4.1.1 Economic and Environmental Impacts _________________________________ 6 4.1.2 Historical Invasive Plant Issues ______________________________________ 7 4.2 Invasive Animals _____________________________________________________ 9 4.2.1 Economic and Environmental Impacts _________________________________ 9 4.2.2 Historical Invasive Animal Issues ____________________________________ 10 4.3 Catchment and Land Protection Act (1994) ________________________________ 10 4.4 Advisory List of Environmental Weeds in Victoria ___________________________ 11 4.5 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) __________________________________ 12 4.6 Other Relevant State Government Legislation ______________________________ 12 4.7 Existing Plans, Strategies, Policies and Guidelines __________________________ 13 5. Management Principles and Objectives _________________________________ 13 5.1 Stakeholders _______________________________________________________ 14 5.2 Implementation _____________________________________________________ 16 5.2.1 Invasive Plant Control Process ____________________________________ 16 5.2.2 Invasive Animal Control Process ___________________________________ 17 5.3 Objectives and Management Principles ___________________________________ 18 6. Action Plan ________________________________________________________ 20 2 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 1. Acknowledgement of Country Mildura Rural City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, which now comprises the Mildura Rural City municipality. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and celebrate and respect their continuing cultures and acknowledge the memories of their ancestors. 2. Executive Summary Mildura Rural City Council (Council) faces a broad range of challenges in managing existing and emerging plant and animal problems, both in the urban and rural environments. The Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 defines Council’s strategic vision to implement a framework for the ongoing management of invasive plant and animal species on Council managed land. Council’s commitment to the management of invasive species includes the implementation of the following key actions: • The prevention of the introduction and establishment of new and emerging invasive species • The identification and recording of invasive species • The containment and/or eradication of invasive species • Management of the environmental impacts inflicted by introduced invasive species • Promotion of responsible actions and minimising disturbance to soils and vegetation in the application of Council’s works and programs • Providing education and encouraging community and landholder initiative in invasive species management. This Plan will be delivered by Council staff with the support and establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders, land managers and the wider community. 3 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 3. Introduction 3.1 Our Municipality Mildura Rural City Council is located approximately 500 kilometres north-west of Melbourne in Victoria, covering an area of 22,330 square kilometres and supports a population of approximately 53,000. Major centres include Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Ouyen (see Figure 1). Attractions to the Mildura area include its temperate climate, irrigated horticulture and the Murray River and desert parks. The Mildura economy is strong due to the surrounding agricultural base and its location as a regional hub with the Calder Highway from Melbourne crossing the Sturt Highway connecting Sydney to Adelaide. Figure 1. The municipality of Mildura Rural City Council 4 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 3.2 Our Vision The Community and Council Plan 2017-2021 is Council’s primary strategic planning document. Council is dedicated to implementing the Community and Council Plan with a commitment to environmental sustainability. A strategic goal of the plan is that ‘pest plants and animals are managed effectively’. Council recognises that there is a strong correlation between our natural surroundings, our economy and our quality of life. As a result, positive natural resource management has been captured in the Community and Council Plan as an integral part of ongoing environmental success. 3.3 Our Natural Resources Our environment and natural resources are key components to the ongoing health and viability of our community and local industries. The dominant natural features within the municipality include the Murray River and associated floodplain, Murray Sunset National Park, Hattah Kulkyne National Park, a portion of Wyperfeld National Park, Big Desert State Forest, Big Desert Wilderness Park and natural saline landscapes. A semi-arid climate with annual rainfall averages of 331mm at Walpeup, 282mm at Mildura, 328mm at Hattah and 290mm at Werrimull, extensive limestone landforms, the influence of the Murray River and river floodplains all typify the Mallee Region. The features and characteristics of the municipality have produced unique environments, which support a diverse range of ecosystems and associated flora and fauna communities. Previous land clearing of native vegetation in the municipality for agriculture and urban development has resulted in the natural environment becoming highly modified. Areas of remnant vegetation are considered of high environmental value. There are large tracts of State Forest and National and Regional Park reserves covering approximately 40 percent of the municipality, however remnant vegetation on private land and road reserves is often the only remaining intact examples of some plant communities. 3.4 Purpose of the Plan Council has recognised the need for the adoption of a plan for the control of invasive species across Council managed land including parks, gardens, natural areas, and municipal roadsides. Council is committed to demonstrating a leadership role in the effective management of invasive species, as well as the protection and rehabilitation of our assets. Local assets include high value biodiversity, cultural and heritage sites, and visual amenities which are all important aspects in the continued preservation of the Mallee region. 5 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024 The purpose of this Plan is to outline control procedures and actions to be implemented to ensure that the impacts from invasive plant and animal species are kept to a minimum. The Plan aims to provide Council with a framework for the long-term strategic management of invasive species with the support and establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders and the community. The adoption of legislative guidelines and management principles, with support and involvement from the community and local land managers, will ensure the successful implementation of actions defined in this Plan. 4. Background Invasive species are defined as virulent plants and animals that successfully compete for resources including sunlight and nutrients. Once invasive species have inhabited an environment, their survival is dependent on their ability to adapt to the area – these species can usually survive on limited resources and have the ability to reproduce in large numbers. For the purpose of this document, invasive species refers to both non-native (introduced) and invasive native species. Most invasive species are non-native, but there are also native species that have the ability to invade areas that provide an opportune niche. Like non-native invasive species, these species exist in large numbers and outcompete other native species leaving areas with minimal species diversity. 4.1 Invasive Plants 4.1.1 Economic and Environmental Impacts In 2006–07, it was estimated the direct cost to agricultural businesses in Victoria of controlling invasive plants was $253 million. This included the yield loss, control costs and increased food costs passed onto the consumer. Spined weeds have a significant impact on human comfort and health and safety, commonly infesting areas such as sporting grounds, playgrounds, nature strips and walking trails. The impact of invasive plants on the environment is beyond measure. Invasive plants can cause an imbalance in ecosystems by: • Contributing to the depletion of native animal habitats and food sources • Providing shelter for invasive animals, encouraging an increase in population • Competing with indigenous plants for space, light, water and nutrients • Affecting water quality by altering natural water filtering processes • Spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the natural environment • Contributing to a decline or loss of rare or threatened plant species • Impacting the balance of plant species in a vegetation community 6 Invasive Plants and Animals Plan 2020-2024