Willows. Originally introduced into Australian waterway management to help control erosion; have created more problems than they have solved. Much loved by some landowners, there is often some resistance to removing and killing willows, but there is no denying that this introduced plant species has no place along our riverbanks.
Australians started planting willows, soon after European settlement with a peak occurring between the 1950s and 1970s as an erosion control measure to try to redress the impact of clearing streamside vegetation and clearing of farm land.
Unfortunately our willow friend soon turned foe when they proved to be extremely invasive, altering stream and river courses, choking up the middle of waterways, taking over from native vegetation and negatively impacting the habitat and biodiversity of our waterways.
The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is one of many groups and organisations trying to halt the spread of willows and redress the balance by removing them from waterways in Gippsland.
Rod Johnston, Delivery Project Coordinator, said working with landholders was a key to removing many willows.
“Lots of the willows we can only access through private land,” explained Rod. “We have a great working relationship with many landowners as many realise it’s mutually beneficial to have the willows removed.
“Willows are extremely noxious and grow very quickly and easily. It’s so important that when we start targeting willows all landowners get on board. Otherwise the good control work done downstream can be undone by reinfestation from upstream willows.
“We team removing willows with fencing and revegetating with native plants to help improve overall stream health.”
Over the past 12 months, Rod has been working with Chris Holmes from Parks Victoria to remove a heavy infestation of willows in Sale Common Wetland Reserve.
“Sale Common is a really important wetland reserve as it filters and cleans water that makes its way into the Gippsland Lakes.
“Our willow removal project here has been extensive and really thorough. It started last year when we treated about 300 hectares that had patches of willow.”
The project wasn’t without disruption with weather and nature sometime interfering.
“We had to stop the project altogether for a short period of time last summer as there were European wasps everywhere and each time we were on site we inevitably stirred up a nest,” continued Rod.
For now, the project at Sale Common is complete and Rod is pleased with the results.
“It’s been a really successful project. We will keep monitoring the site over the coming years – but we are really happy with the progress so far.”
This project was completed in partnership with Parks Victoria through funding provided from the Victorian State Government.
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