{"id":237183,"date":"2019-06-06T17:20:17","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T07:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=237183"},"modified":"2020-09-21T10:31:34","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T00:31:34","slug":"drone-survey-identifies-weeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/06\/06\/drone-survey-identifies-weeds\/","title":{"rendered":"Drone Survey Identifies Weeds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Parthenium\"<\/a>
Parthenium (Photo: DAFF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 6, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

A survey using a drone to map weed infestations along Boonara Creek and Lower Barambah Creek has been undertaken by Gympie Regional Council and the Burnett Catchment Care Association (BCCA).<\/p>\n

The drone survey, conducted on\u00a0May 14,\u00a0was designed to identify rubber vine and honey locust in steep and di\ufb03cult terrain and was expected to\u00a0examine about 70km of creek banks.<\/p>\n

Rubber vine would have been in flower during the project, making it easier to identify.<\/p>\n

The results of the survey will now be examined and a weeds contractor will hired to treat any areas identified.<\/p>\n

The drone survey is part of the larger Barambah and Boonara Weed Control Project.<\/p>\n

In 2018, the BCCA obtained a Community Sustainability Action Grant to collaborate with Gympie Council to monitor weed infestation levels in Barambah and Boonara creeks and sections of Moonda Waamba Creek.<\/p>\n

The funding is from the State Government via the Department of Environment and Science.<\/p>\n

The focus was on three major weed pests: parthenium, rubber vine and honey locust.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parthenium, which originates in North America, invades disturbed bare areas and pastures.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The State Government has estimated it costs Australia’s beef industry $16.5 million per year and cropping industries several million dollars per year.<\/p>\n

Rubber vine is native to Madagascar. It’s a vigorous climber which smothers native vegetation near rivers and forms dense thickets.<\/p>\n

Honey locust is native to North America. It forms dense, spiny thickets that out-compete native vegetation and can injure livestock.<\/p>\n

Contractors engaged by the Barambah and Boonara Weed Control Project began spraying parthenium began last December\u00a0after the area received adequate rainfall to promote weed germination. <\/p>\n

Larger infestations of the weed were found than expected.<\/p>\n

Initial treatment of rubber vine and honey locust also began in December.<\/p>\n

The Barambah and Boonara Weed Control Project includes monitoring of the treated areas and landholder and community education.<\/p>\n