Environmental Weeds.
Environmental weeds are plants that have formed wild populations outside their natural range. They have been categorised as Class 1, 2 or 3 depending on their economic, environmental or social impact.
On the Cooloola Coast, environmental weeds are a problem because they can replace native plants in local habitats and destroy that habitat for native wildlife- the very asset which makes the Cooloola Coast a great holiday destination of world significance.
There are at least 1500 environmental weed species identified in Australia. A recent report by the Cooperative Research Centre for Weeds estimated the cost of the impact of weeds on agriculture alone at $4 billion a year, but this figure does not include the impact on the environment or community.
Most of our worst environmental weeds have been imported from overseas and planted as garden ornamentals. Urban bushland and urban watercourses are constantly exposed to weed invasion from neighbouring gardens, school grounds and parklands. A wide range of environmental weeds are cultivated as garden plants. These plants are selected for the very reasons they are now a problem- they are hardy and fast growing, with few natural pests. Many gardeners, landscapers and grounds people are unaware these plants pose a threat to our unique coastal wallum and watercourses.
Weeds do not respect fence lines and can spread great distances:- when birds eat their seeds and fruits and deposit them in new places
- via windblown seeds
- by water runoff
- transported on the skin, fur or feathers of animals
- on shoes and vehicle tyres
- when dispersed by people giving or selling (at markets) seedlings or cuttings of weedy plants
- by thoughtless dumping of garden waste on vacant or remnant bushland.
Cooloola Coastcare Association actively supports Cooloola Shire Council in its management of pest and weed species through the CSC Pest Management Plan and through Natural Heritage Trust funding (from the sale of Telstra). The Cooloola Coast is fortunate to have a limited distribution of environmental weeds due to its isolation; native bushland buffers and relatively recent urban development; however the situation will only be maintained through ongoing management and community education.
