Invasive species, such as rabbits, foxes but also weeds, like gazanias, pose a threat to our native vegetation. Alexandrina’s last remnants of native vegetation are contained in fragmented patches on both private and public land, and along our roadsides. Many of these parcels are small in area and/or linear in shape, making them more vulnerable to threats such as weeds, pest animals, diseases, and disturbance (known as edge effects).
Council staff are undertaking regular weed control, rabbit, and fox control across our most protected nature reserves and roadsides, but we rely on our adjourning landholders to also control their land. Pest plants and animals can easily move between property boundaries and have a devastating effect on our native fauna. For example, the endangered hooded plover nests and chicks on the beaches are often predated on by foxes that have their dens on private properties near the beaches.
The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 makes it clear that private and public landowners are responsible for the management of declared pest plants and animals on their land. Hence, it is important that landowners are aware of their pests and weeds on their land and control them if we are to be successful in controlling our pests and weeds in Alexandrina. The Hills and Fleurieu Regional Pest Plant and Animal Strategy is our region’s overarching strategy in controlling pests and weeds.
This is why we combine forces with the Landscape Board and our neighbouring councils to work on our priority weed and pest species, and to provide workshops to the community, such as the rabbit workshops and bait programs, or weed identification workshops.
To learn more about your responsibly as a land manager, how to identify and control pest plants, pest animals and marine plants, or to find out about workshops and baiting programs, visit the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape SA website for detailed information.
Identifying and managing weeds also become easier through the new Weed Identification App. For more information and to download the app, visit the WeedScan website here.
