Tasman Council

Weed Management

2013 post firebush weed hygeine alerts - Sommers Bay, Murdunna, Eaglehawk Neck and Taranna

Unwanted Weed of the Month

Pampas Grass

What is it? 
Pampas grasses are tussocky perennial grasses that can grow up to three meters in height.  They produce distinctive plumes of large feathery flowers on long stalks; the flowers are a pale straw colour, often with a purple tinge (cutting grass is very similar but this native plant has a black flower head).  Coming into flower, now is the best time to identify. Pampas grasses are highly flammable aggressive invaders which swiftly out-compete native species and create a significant fire risk.

What can you do?
All pampas grasses are declared weeds under Tasmania’s Weed Management Act 1999.  It is your responsibility under the Act to control pampas grass on your land.  It is important to act quickly, because pampas flowers produce up to 100,000 seeds each, and these can be windblown up to 25km. 
Council’s NRM Officer can help with identifying pampas grass and provide you with information on how to control it.

Report it!
If you see pampas grass, report it urgently to the council.  For more information, contact Jennifer Milne (NRM Officer) on (03) 6250 9200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Weed spray unit available for hire

The Quik Spray Unit has been established by stakeholder to assist in the implementation of the Tasman Weed Management Strategy.  If you are interested in hiring the unit please read the attached guidelines
The Quik Spray Unit Procedures and Guidelines establish the position of the Tasman Council regarding the use of Council’s Quik Spray Unit by members of community groups, contractors and partnership organisations in respect to the responsibilities of those “Users”.

Users need to hold a current Chem Cert qualification.

Council is committed to ensure that Users possess the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and attitudes to use the Quik Spray Unit.  The Council staff will provide sufficient training to Users on their first time of hiring the Quik Spray Unit. 

Guidelines

Tasman Municipality weed control subsidies

As part of the Tasman Council Weed Management Strategy, subsidies for weed control work will be available to assist eligible landowners reduce the impacts of weeds in the municipality. 

Council will provide funding to a maximum of $300 (including GST).  Funding can be obtained for the following categories of approved weed control works:

1.            Purchasing herbicide

3.            Hiring weed spraying or mulching equipment (Tasman Council has a quickspray unit for hire).

4.            Hiring contractors

Funding will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis subject to selection criteria. The scheme will be ongoing until all funding is allocated. Chemical free weed control is also eligible where appropriate.

You are invited to participate by completing the attached application form and returning it to Tasman Council.  More application forms are available from Tasman Council office, via the website or on request.  Please contact Tasman Council NRM Officer for more details.

For more information on NRM in the Tasman Municipality contact:

Tasman Council Natural Resource Management (NRM) Officer

Working to achieve positive NRM outcomes, in collaboration with NRM South and the Tasman Landcare Group