Mackay Regional Pest Management Group

05/06/2023

We have a new page! If you want to learn more about well-established and upcoming w**ds and pests in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, make sure you head over to give the new page a like and follow. Mackay Regional Pest Management Group

28/08/2022

𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙉𝙤𝙬! The second edition of W**ds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region is now available for just $35 (bulk purchase discounts available). To buy yours, come down to the Reef Catchment Mackay Office, Sarina Landcare, Pioneer Catchment Landcare, Whitsunday Landcare, or local council office. Mackay Regional Pest Management Group

11/08/2022

Have you seen this bird? 👀

Introduced to Australia in the 1860s the Indian or Common Myna (Sturnus tristis) are known to be an extremely aggressive and territorial bird that out-compete native birds for food, water and shelter. They have also been found to spread agricultural w**ds and foul water supplies.

If you think you have spotted a Myna bird in your area please map your sightings here ➡️www.feralscan.org.au/mynascan

28/07/2022

15/07/2022

Have you heard the term General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO)? 👀
Learn more about it and how it applies to you by watching this short 3 minute video. 🌱

Queensland. Home to five World Heritage sites, pristine beaches, and known for its clean and high-quality produce. It is a natural wonderland for residents a...

15/07/2022

23/06/2022

Siam W**d is considered to be one of the world's most invasive plants with the potential of spreading across northern Queensland as well as down the eastern and western coastlines.

🌳Its competitive growth rate (20mm per day or 5m per year) and ability to scramble 20 meters up existing vegetation threatens agriculture, forestry and protected conservation areas.🌳

▪️Its distinctive leaves are purple when immature, triangular in shape with a 'pitchfork' vein.
▪️Flowers are produced in white masses which turn purple as they mature.
▪️Seeds become airborne and are mostly distributed by wind.

As a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity act 2014 it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that all reasonable and practical measures are undertaken to minimise biosecurity risks. All sightings must be reported Biosecurity Australia within 24 hours.

Siam w**d is considered one of the world's most invasive w**d as it is known to invade and smother native vegetation and poison stock. Watch this video to id...

17/06/2022

🌱W**d hygiene is the practice of minimizing w**d seed spread. 🌱

Invasive plants are a threat to the environment, agricultural production, and private lands. We all have a role to play in preventing the introduction and spread of w**ds.

🌼A few simple considerations when working/visiting the natural environment can help minimise w**d seed spread.🌼

▪️ When working/visiting a w**d affected area, try your best to remove and properly dispose of w**d seeds. If you do not have the means to safely bag and dispose of the seeds, at least avoid moving them from the contaminated area to a clean area.

▪️ Never dump w**d cuttings or plants in bushland or other areas where they may spread.

▪️ Clean your equipment, boots, vehicles, and machinery before leaving known w**d-infested areas.

▪️ Stick to designated roads and tracks and avoid w**d-infested areas.

▪️ Never dump aquatic w**ds in drains or waterways.

▪️ Don’t pick flowers or plants that you can't identify - they may be w**ds.

▪️ Avoid walking dogs or riding horses through w**d infested areas.

02/06/2022

One of the world's worst invasive species has been found near Airlie Beach. How can you help?It is critically important that we don't let the highly invasive...

18/05/2022

🌼In flower now, have you seen it 👀

Sicklepod is restricted invasive matter declared under the biosecurity act 2014

All Queenslanders must take an active role in managing biosecurity risks under their control.
This general biosecurity obligation (GBO) means
that we ALL must take reasonable steps to ensure we do not spread a pest, disease, or contaminant.

Sicklepod is widespread in our region, found in grazing pastures, cane, roadsides and disturbed areas.

It has 6 opposite leaves 🌿 its flowers are yellow, small, about 1 cm across and have five petals. The seed pod is long (10−15 cm), slender (3−5 mm wide) and sickle-shaped. When ripe, the pods burst open, shedding their shiny, flattened, dark brown seeds.

Sicklepods are unpalatable to domestic stock. However, cattle and horses will eat mature seed, which can pass through the animal and germinate in dung.🐮🐴

This is the most common manner of seed spread from one property to another. It is also spread by machinery, contaminated mulch, and soil.

If you suspect you have Sicklepod on your property and require assistance with identification, or advice on treatment options, please contact your local council and ask to speak to a pest management officer. ☎️

04/04/2022

Mackay Regional Council has highlighted the following top 5 as the most abundantly treated invasive species in our region last year.

Rats Tail Grass
Sicklepod
Water Hyacinth
Parthenium
African Tulip Tree

You can help play your part by controlling these species on your own land as well as notifying your local Pest Management officers of any spotted on public land on 1300 622 529.

10/03/2022

Itch grass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis)

A native annual grass of Tropical Asia and Africa, now being found in north-eastern Australia is seeding now.

Distinguishing features are:
• A single stem that is cylindrical, hollow and branches into sheaths at upper nodes
• A pale midvein
• Stiff sharp hairs on stem and leaf sheath (will irritate and pe*****te your skin).
• Prop (tiller) roots off lower nodes.
• Spear-like flowers that break into individual seed sections.
• Can grow to a height of 4m
• Seed viability up to 7 years

This species is causing problems for crops around the world and is now an emerging w**d in the Mackay Whitsunday region. Itch grass poses a threat to the sugar cane industry. Infestations can cause severe crop losses and are difficult control
once established.

Although not declared under the Qld Biosecurity Act, this plant is very invasive. Individual plants produce 2000 to 16,000 seeds that are shed as soon as they mature. All Queenslanders have a GBO (General Biosecurity Obligation) to minimise the spread of biosecurity matter.

In our region this w**d has been identified in Mount Ossa, Seaforth, Saint Helens, Pindi Pindi, and most recently the Calen Mount Charlton area. Please Keep your eye out for it.
If you think you have spotted Itch grass, please contact your Council’s Pest Management Officer.