Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party News

Find out all the latest news concerning the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party including upcoming meetings, workshops and more.

Grant Opportunity: Climate-Smart Agriculture Program

The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) is the Australian Government’s key investment platform for achieving its natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and environmental protection outcomes. Through the NHT the Australian Government has established the $302.1 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program over five years from 2023-24. This program will drive agricultural sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness. It supports the following program... Read more

Welcome Dr Ali Bajwa to the VSTWP Committee

The VSTWP are excited to announce the news that Dr Ali Bajwa has joined the VSTWP Committee for the next two years, as a committee member and community representative. Dr Ali Bajwa is a Senior Academic at La Trobe University in Melbourne where he is engaged in weed science and agronomy teaching, research, outreach and... Read more

Case Study: Controlling Serrated Tussock on a Greendale hobby Farm, VIC

Written by Ivan Carter, VSTWP Extension Officer, Simon and his family recently constructed their dream home on a 20-acre plot in the southern region of Greendale, near the Pykes Creek Reservoir. The land, rich with fertile dark loam soils, was ideal for small-scale farming. To protect their property from wind, noise, and the potential invasion... Read more

New video highlights mental tussock toll

The VSTWP have recently published two new valuable videos on their YouTube channel, in order to engage and deliver information to land managers on the impacts of the noxious weed serrated tussock. The videos focus on the mental and emotional toll of managing invasive species, such as serrated tussock, and how all landowners need to... Read more

Now is the time to search for tussock following summer rains

Now is the right time to check your property for the noxious weed serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma). The recent rains and mild summer in some parts of Victoria has been good for pastures and crops, but unfortunately, also good for the growth of serrated tussock. Controlling serrated tussock before the plant goes to seed is... Read more
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Melton prepares for ’tumbleweed storm’

Some properties in Melton could be affected by tumbleweeds in the coming weeks. Residents may recall how strong winds swept dried weeds into people’s yards and onto roads in parts of Aintree, Eynesbury and Hillside in late 2020 and 2021. Melton council is warning residents that as drier, warmer days become more frequent, a similar... Read more

VSTWP 22/23 PROGRESS REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) has continued community extension programs in strategic locations across Victoria over the past 12 months, supporting nearly 200 landowners in the Romsey, Beveridge, Kerrie and Hesket regions. Two extension officers were contracted to implement the targeted extension projects, which aimed to increase awareness of serrated tussock and provide... Read more

Good news! Agriculture Victoria update: Eradication of isolated serrated tussock

It is not often we can deliver good news about one of the country’s most invasive plants, serrated tussock, but we recently received an update from Agriculture Victoria that contained some great news for landowners and the community. Agriculture Victoria, a state government agency that sits within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), have successfully... Read more

Preventing seed storms, act now

Preventing serrated tussock from establishing on your property is the best method of control and is best done in Spring, prior to seeding. The majority of serrated tussock plants will now have seed present, unless already controlled, which should be removed to prevent further spread. The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is asking landholders... Read more
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Collective pest action boost

A new community grants program targeting established weeds and pests will be top priority for a new Victorian advisory board. Biosecurity Victoria executive director Katherine Clift announced on 12 October the new 10-member Victorian Invasive Pest Advisory Board (VIPA). Established weeds and pests are widespread and beyond eradication from Victoria. This includes species such as... Read more