Cotton bush eradication ramps up

Members of the Peel-Harvey Biosecurity Group met last week to identify the worst cotton bush infestations within their area which stretches from the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale in the north to the Shire of Harvey in the south.

The group reported eight main problem areas within the Harvey shire and five from the Shire of Waroona to Agriculture and Food at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The department will use this information to start a compliance process with selected cotton bush hot spots in September.

Infested properties which affect neighbours’ agricultural production or are proving costly through continuous re-infestation will be considered as priorities.

Harvey shire community representative Marion Lofthouse said community cooperation was important to tackle the spread of the declared weed.

“Some properties are not visible from the road and to identify all source properties, we rely on reports from the community,” she said.

“Now is a good time for landholders to pull out cotton bush plants as the ground is soft and the plants are not actively growing.

“The Peel-Harvey Biosecurity Group has tree poppers for loan which make it easier to pull out bigger plants.”

The group has taken advantage of an easy tool for recording and mapping weed infestations to get a better idea of where cotton bush outbreaks are taking place.

Group executive officer Jonelle Cleland said these maps helped identify hot spots and the group would work with the community to find the best way to eradicate any cotton bush infestations on their property.

Visit the Agriculture and Food section of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website www.agric.wa.gov.au/myweedwatcher-web/search and type “narrow leaf cotton bush” in the search bar for more information.

The MyWeedWatcher app can also be downloaded on mobile phones to document cotton bush infestations on the road.