Gorse can be controlled through mulching, spraying with herbicide and continued grazing by goats.
Farmers and landholders are now able to access grants to help with management of gorse on their properties.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Landcare announced on Friday, May 10 that applications for the grants will open on Friday, May 17 and close on Friday, July 12.
Landcare communications and community engagement officer Christina Boon said the dollar-for-dollar matched grants were valued at up to $1500 per landholder with a limit of $8000 being allocated to applicants within an individual Landcare group.
“The upcoming grants are available to community groups to assist private landholders who are committed to on-ground gorse control works,” Ms Boon said.
“I would encourage landholders to connect with their local Landcare group if they haven’t already.
“These groups provide valuable resources, guidance and support for those looking to tackle gorse or other weeds on their properties.”
Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a prickly and dense plant that poses a serious threat to agricultural land and native ecosystems.
The species is also a fire hazard due to its high oil content and strong, impenetrable growth.
Effective control includes spraying with herbicide when the plant is in non-flowering active growth in spring or autumn and continued grazing by goats.
A project hosted by the Victorian Gorse Taskforce and CFA over summer targeted a central Victorian stand of gorse which threatened a national park.
“One key point that the two groups reiterated was that mulching is an ideal first step in controlling gorse,” Ms Boon said.
“Mulching increases access and minimises the amount of herbicide needed for follow up, which commonly involves spraying gorse when regrowth has reached 40cm high.”
6°C