Title: Lovegrass claimed to still threaten East Gippsland
[Gippsland Times & Maffra Spectator, 17 Sept. 2010, p. 5] -- STATE Parliament has been told declassification of African Lovegrass as an invasive weed has posed a grave threat to the pastoral industry in east Gippsland. Eastern Victoria MLC Philip Davis has asked the State Government to reclassify African Lovegrass as a prohibited plant in the region. This follows an approach from the Redgum Plains and Coastal Hinterland Invasive Weeds Group, which said the change in the status of African Lovegrass from regionally prohibited to regionally controlled in east Gippsland had resulted in an epic deterioration of the grazing landscape.
Mr Davis said it meant the Department of Sustainability and Environment no longer devoted resources to controlling the pest plant and its attitude had led some landowners to abandon efforts to control African Lovegrass.
"In many areas along the Bengworden Rd between Bairnsdale and Sale the weed has spread and overtaken large areas of grazing land," he said.
"Many landowners are doing their best to maintam control of the weed and to educate and support others to eradicate it.
"The invasive weeds group, encompassing members of Landcare groups at Perry Bridge, Tom’s Creek, Bengworden, Romawi and Cobbler’s Creek, was formed last year for this purpose."
Article: WeedsNews1034 (permalink) Date: 22 September 2010; 10:53:10 AM AEST