Goodbye Gorse – Taradale Landcare’s Gorse control strengthened

Posted on 23 September, 2020 by Jacqui

Taradale Landcare, with support from Connecting Country and local contractors, have been busy controlling Gorse (Ulex europaeus) around Taradale in central Victoria.

With COVID-19 restrictions preventing Taradale Landcare’s regular working bees from taking place during 2020, group members have been busy working on their own properties. Fourteen landholders were able to participate in the project that was made possible with a community grant from the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT).

The grant co-funded treatment of over 11 hectares of Gorse on private land in Taradale, mostly on the (northern) Kangaroo Creek, but some also on Dearden Creek and the Coliban River. Landholders implemented approved methods including manual, mechanical, and chemical treatments. The works were enabled via a rebate to landholders of 50% of the gorse treatment using local contractors, up to a limit of $1000 per property. Landholders committed via a voluntary agreement to maintain the effort on controlling Gorse in future years. Taradale Landcare, Connecting Country, and contractors have all assisted landholders to design ongoing treatments and, in some cases, revegetation advice. Alana Robinson, a participating landholder noted, ‘The grant helped us to bite the bullet and get started with tackling the Gorse. We would have done it eventually on our own, but this way we’ve been able to get it done now before the problem gets any worse.’

While a new round of this grant has not been offered in 2020-21, Taradale Landcare would be interested in hearing from Taradale landholders who would like to register their interest in future submissions. Please contact Brian at Taradale Landcare by emailing taradalelandcare@gmail.com. For more information about Taradale Landcare click here.

Grooming in action! Before and after photos of gorse being groomed near the Kangaroo Creek in Taradale. This dramatic treatment immediately removes fuel hazard and makes it possible to access and treat regrowth in coming months. Photos courtesy Tracey Whiteside.