Murray CMA region

OEH and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) worked together with the 13 CMAs to develop regional biodiversity priorities for the management of widespread weeds. This page is for the Murray CMA region component of the project. The report for the Murray CMA Region (Part G) can be accessed via the DPI weed page. Find out more about this state-wide project.

Within each CMA region the approach involves three stages:

1. Identify priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk
2. Identify sites for the control of priority widespread weeds
3. Undertake control and monitoring at high priority sites

Stage 1. Identify priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk

The priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk in each catchment were determined by collating existing information from reports and strategies (e.g. CRC report on the impact of weeds on threatened biodiversity in NSW) and by collecting information from stakeholders with local knowledge of the weeds and/or biodiversity at risk via a series of workshops.

Workshops were held in Albury, Berrigan and Deniliquin in March 2008. At these workshops a list of high priority widespread weeds impacting biodiversity in the Murray CMA region was developed and the biodiversity (vegetation types and ecological communities) threatened by these weeds was identified. The interim listwas reviewed and a final list is provided.

• Download high priority widespread weeds and biodiversity threatened (.xls 23kb) in Murray CMA region

Stage 2. Identify sites for the control of priority widespread weeds

At the time of the workshops, Murray CMA were conducting their own project to compile a database of biodiversity assets within the region. They planned to use their biodiversity database in conjunction with the information collated during stage 1 of this project to chart a course for further action in relation to weed management for biodiversity protection. For further information please contact Murray CMA directly. As a result Murray CMA declined involvement in the site identification stage of this project so unfortunately the only sites identified and ranked to date were provided through an internal survey of site on NPWS estate carried out in 2009-10. Site nominations can still be made via this project and will be provided to Murray CMA to be added to the ranking spreadsheet for the region.

A map of the high priority sites determined by this project as of August 2010 for the Murray CMA region is provided.

• View the map of high priority sites (.pdf 356kb) in the Murray CMA region.

How to nominate a site in the Murray CMA Region

The site nomination process:

• Look at the list of high priority widespread weeds (.xls 23kb) and select the relevant ones for your local area
• Select an area where at least one of these weeds is impacting on biodiversity and fill in a nomination form for the site. The site nomination form is available for download in either excel format or pdf format. The excel spreadsheet is most useful for nominating multiple sites while the pdf form may be more useful for use in the field. Please follow the instructions.

download

• Nomination form in excel (.xls 129kb)
• Nomination form pdf (.pdf 20kb)
• Instructions (.pdf 36kb)

Submit the nomination form by email, post or fax:

Stage 3. Undertake control and monitoring at high priority sites

The development of standard site-specific management plans prior to the commencement of weed control programs at priority sites will help ensure program success and conservation outcomes. Site management plans should be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and clearly identify and determinethe roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders for each stage of the plan. Find out more about taking a staged approach to weed control at high priority sites.

• Download a site management plan pro-forma for high priority sites (.doc 139kb)
• View a completed example site management plan (.doc 745kb)

Monitoring is an important component of weed control programs to ensure that control is delivering desired outcomes. When the key objective is biodiversity conservation monitoring programs must explicitly assess both the reduction in the weed population and the recovery of biological assets at risk. The monitoring guidelines proposed for use at high priority sites were initially developed for the Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan (TAP). These guidelines have already been successfully adopted for the national Lantana Plan and would be effective for monitoring most weed control programs with the exception of vines and aquatic weeds where other techniques would be required.The bitou bush monitoring manual outlines a three-tiered approach to monitoring with techniques ranging from simple qualitative assessments to robust research studies, allowing managers to adopt the level most suitable to their objectives and desired outcomes, skills and resources:

1. Tier 1: Simple techniques - Mapping of weed and native cover, photo points
2. Tier 2: Advances techniques - Quantifying weed and native abundance with more precision using transects and quadrats
3. Tier 3: Scientific study - Investigation of weed and native response in controlled and uncontrolled areas.

It is envisaged that in most cases, stakeholders will be able to carry out either Tier 1 or Tier 2 monitoring.

Questions?

See the list of Frequently Asked Questions or please contact us. You can also find out more about current projects in Murray CMA at their website.