Weeds Strategy Review

The Shire is updating its Weeds Strategy for natural bushland reserves within the Shire of Denmark.

The Shire of Denmark Bushland Reserves Weeds Strategy (2024-2034) is being put to Council for adoption at the July OCM.

Background to the Strategy

In recent years there has been a growing awareness that the ‘natural world’ is something precious, to be respected and valued. Denmark is fortunate in having areas of bushland set throughout the Shire which represent many diverse vegetation types. These reserves are under increasing pressure from increased visitation bringing with it the risk of spread of invasive weed species. Weeds have major economic, environmental and social impacts, causing damage to natural landscapes, agricultural land, waterways and coastal areas.

The Shire engaged local not-for-profit consultant Green Skills in collaboration with South Coast Bushcare Services to deliver a review of the existing Shire of Denmark Weeds Strategy and Action Plan (2005-2010) and to develop of a revised updated Weeds Strategy (‘Strategy’) document. The updated Strategy provides information pertaining to the Shire’s bushland, foreshore and coastal reserves; including information on values and threats in particular regard to bushland condition and invasive weed species. The Strategy involved on-ground reserve assessments (including mapping) for each of the 40 x identified reserves to obtain a better understanding of the values that may be at risk of adverse impacts from threats with particular regard to invasive weed species identified within each area.

The revised Strategy provides prioritised recommendations within each reserve, taking into consideration potential threat to identified values from invasive weed species - in accordance with resource capacity whilst ensuring continued community access and environmental protection. Recommendations encompass operational requirements envisaged over a ten year timeframe, as well as provide for opportunities for community involvement and environmental education.

The Strategy also includes the following:

• Legislation and policy relating to invasive weed management is made reference to within the Strategy in relation to legal obligations under federal, state and local government tiers, along with general principles of weed management.
• A comprehensive invasive weed species list of regionally known invasive weeds is included as an appendix with categorisation according to whether they are considered a weed of national significance (WONS), declared agricultural weed, environmental weed, or listed locally on the Shire’s Pest Plant schedule.
• Weed control management considering multi-modal approaches, specific to targeted weed species and environmentally sensitive areas is outlined in the appendices.
• Additionally, a review of the Shire’s Pest Plant Schedule has been undertaken with provision of a report providing recommendations as to amendments to invasive weed species listed on the Schedule in consideration of current weed status and risk.

Community Consultation

Community consultation in the review involved participation in any or all of the following:

• Community Information Forum - held Monday 28th August
• Stakeholder engagement sessions
• Community Workshop on Draft Strategy - held Monday 22nd April
• Public Comment Period 15 April - 6 May (now closed)
• Online via the online Feedback Portal
• Email via enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au
• In writing to Shire of Denmark PO Box 183 Denmark WA 6333 or in person 953 South Coast Hwy Denmark

The Weeds Strategy Review Community Information Session was held on Monday 28th August with positive participation and attendance and valuable input and feedback provided by key community members and key affiliate community organisations. The Weeds Strategy Community Briefing was held on Monday 22nd April to help participants develop an understanding of why the Strategy is important for all of us. Participants were able to hear results from on-ground ecological assessments of 40 Shire bushland reserves as well as learned key ways to manage weeds and what the Shire and community can do together to help.