News Time to check for orange hawkweed
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Landowners in western Victoria are being encouraged by Agriculture Victoria to keep their eyes peeled for orange hawkweed and to report any suspect plants. Orange hawkweed is a State Prohibited Weed, which is the highest category of declared noxious weed in Victoria. Native to Europe, these weeds have the potential to cause significant impact to native ecosystems through restricting the growth of neighbouring plants by releasing chemicals into the soil, replacing native plants with a dense mat of rosettes. Agriculture Victoria Leading Biosecurity Officer Fiona Sharman said orange hawkweed continues to be monitored and treated by Agriculture Victoria at sites at Blackwood, Daylesford, Mount Macedon and Trentham. “We’ve seen orange hawkweed continue to germinate over recent seasons which can damage our native environment,” she said. “The sooner we can take action against infestations, the better our chances are to eradicate it.” Ms Sharman said now is the best time of year to inspect your property for orange hawkweed, as the weed flowers in summer and is easier to spot. “Orange hawkweed can be identified by its bright orange daisy like flowers with square ended petals, the flowers are up to 15mm across and arranged in clusters on the stem. The stems and leaves have long wiry hairs.” Hawkweeds can spread quickly by seeds that are carried in the wind or from stolons (above ground runners) and root fragments.
The Moorabool News – 7 December, 2021 Page 21
Photo: Peter Dziuk
If an infestation is found, Agriculture Victoria will treat, remove and/or dispose of orange hawkweed at no cost to the landowner. “If you find orange hawkweed, please do not attempt to treat and dispose of the weed yourself,” Ms Sharman said. All sightings should be reported to Agriculture Victoria by calling 136 186, emailing weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov. au or online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/contact-us
Keep calm around snakes It can be easy to become scared or alarmed by the appearance of a snake, but the official advice is to stay calm. As we enter summer and snakes are becoming a more common sight, DELWP has put out a reminder of what to do if you encounter one. Snakes left brumation (hibernation for cold-blooded animals) in spring, and with recent rains helping grass grow, it’s important to know what to do if you see a snake this summer. DELWP says you should calmly leave the area with any pets and children, call 136 186 for advice (or a local snake catcher if a snake is in the home), clean your yard and keep your grass cut low, and keep your first aid kit stocked with compression bandages. It’s vital that you leave snakes alone and call Triple Zero (000) immediately if bitten. Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and it is illegal to harm, kill or capture them without authorisation.
Photo: DELWP
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witnessing, thanks to Helen and her team, its benefits.
Referring to the new CFA training facility at Ballan (M/ News 30 Nov), it might be a good plan to discuss the inclusion of on-site furnace treatment of PFAS chemicals, used in firefighting foam, which can be destroyed at 600 deg centigrade (see work by mineralogist Assoc. Professor Will Gates of Deakin University). The resulting fine aggregate can be used for making concrete, of which there is a worldwide shortage. PFAS chemicals, unless destroyed, accumulate in all creatures and have been banned in many countries. Creeks, rivers and oceans contain PFAS even to the extent of poisoning seals at Phillip Island (see online studies by the Veterinary Department of Sydney University). Furnace treatment is not new and should be used to treat toxic soil from the Westgate Tunnel as well as contaminated items from other industries.
Gary and Dorothy Shaw
Mara Hayler
Ballan
Darley
How good is it to be able to read some good local news for once, with so much bad news going on in our World? Finally, our Ballan Community will have a Library and Community Hub (M/News 23 Nov) or central meeting place to socialise thanks to our Council, and in particular Councillor Tatchell, which reminded me of Sir Winston Churchill's shortest speech of all time. "Never, never, never, never, never, give up". This virus has highlighted the importance of socialising to live a long life, with food and exercise of lesser importance. In my opinion, to this point in time, the Moorabool News has been the glue that has kept our community together during these testing times and now we, as a community, are
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