MIMOSA PIGRA ERADICATION GOAL ON TRACK09 March, 2010
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Biosecurity Queensland has destroyed 200 emerging Mimosa pigra seedlings at Proserpine’s Peter Faust Dam, the state’s only known infestation.
MP for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said it has now been nine years since mature Mimosa pigra plants were first identified at the dam.
“Biosecurity Queensland continues to make remarkable progress in eradicating this invasive weed,” she said.
“The initial infestation of Mimosa pigra resulted in an estimated 3.5 million seedlings destroyed in 2002.
“Despite the success of the ongoing program, there is no room for complacency as the seeds can remain viable for 20 years or more.
“This thorny and highly invasive pest poses a very real threat to the Proserpine catchment, water storages and the Goorganga Plains wetland.
“It could jeopardise recreational fishing and the $723 million Mackay-Whitsunday tourism industry as well as infesting many other areas of Queensland.”
Ms Jarratt said Mimosa pigra is recognised as a Weed of National Significance.
“The Queensland Government has declared it a Class 1 pest which requires complete eradication from the State,” she said.
“Last summer, the Peter Faust dam level rose to 80 percent capacity and just 16 Mimosa pigra plants were located and destroyed along the foreshore area.
“When the winter dam level receded to 65 per cent, subsequent moist conditions and sunshine triggered a seed germination event along the foreshore.
“It is important to destroy every Mimosa pigra plant found at the dam, because research has shown that one mature plant could produce 560,000 seeds in a year.
“New emerging plants can flower in two months and produce viable seed within four months.
“Because this weed can produce seed throughout the year, on-going surveillance is vital.
“This is a long-term program to protect our local waterways and eradication efforts must be continued through to at least 2021.”
Biosecurity Queensland’s Corey Bell said two people were employed to conduct the year round surveillance.
“Using quad bikes and a boat to access the rugged terrain, it takes two months to complete the 73km surveillance circuit of the dam foreshore,” he said.
“During seasonal peak workloads, Biosecurity Queensland officers are assisted in the eradication program by Whitsunday Regional Council pest management officers.
“Thanks to the management efforts of the Mimosa Pigra Stakeholder Group, a community awareness program was developed.
“The program encouraged people visiting the Peter Faust Dam to observe the come clean, go clean rules.
“Prominent signage aimed at halting any spread of the weed states that there can be no grounding of boats other than at the designated boat ramp.
In addition, there is no camping or access to the dam bank and no pig hunting until the area is Mimosa pigra-free.”
Mr Bell said Peter Faust Dam was one of three known Mimosa pigra areas in Australia.
“The primary infestation covers 80,000 hectares in the Northern Territory and a third outbreak was recently recorded north of Kununurra in Western Australia,” he said.
“Queensland’s Mimosa Pigra Stakeholders Group will host the first meeting of the National Mimosa Pigra Management Committee at Proserpine on May 26 and 27 this year.
“The national meeting would allow the Proserpine-based Stakeholder Group to showcase their commitment to on-going surveillance.
“They’ll also be highlighting their research, education and a range of community awareness communication products.
“Our group’s objective is to eradicate this weed menace but we need to ensure that visitors also accept responsibility to contain the spread,” Mr Bell said.
Funding was provided through the Queensland Government’s “Blueprint for the Bush – a Pest Offensive” project with further input from Sunwater, Reef Catchments, Whitsunday Regional Council and Biosecurity Queensland.
Media contact:
Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au
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