Sustainability, weeds, grasslands and Melbourne Water

Melbourne Water is responsible for large tracts of land throughout metropolitan Melbourne. Management of such large areas requires thorough knowledge of vegetation communities, threats they face and the relevant legislative requirements. Sustainability of many vegetation communities is directly threatened by the possible invasion by weed species. Weeds are a plant that has or has the potential to have detrimental effect on economic, social or conservation values. There are several different pieces of legislation that specifically relate to weeds. It is the Victorian Pest Management Framework 2002 that provides the strategic direction for the development of further weed management action plans. The principle means by which biodiversity may be protected is through the removal of weeds. The historical approach taken by Melbourne Water to weed control has been practical. Attention has always been focused on high value sites where native vegetation has the potential to recolonise the area naturally. Whilst the actual cost of the impact of weeds on ecosystems cannot be quantified, it is proven that weeds have the ability to reduce farm productivity, displace native species and contribute significantly to land and water degradation. Native grasslands are a threatened ecosystem. Their main threat is weed invasion. Unfortunately Melbourne Water is not currently doing anything to prevent weed infestation of these communities. There is no policy/strategy for dealing with weed management and this has adverse implications for operational efforts. At officer level there are pockets of strong awareness and expertise in relation to weeds and their impact, unfortunately there is no continuity of management standards or communication. These all combine to have little effect on the war against weeds and on the protection of threatened ecosystems