MORE than $3.5m this year will be invested in controlling invasive and environmental weeds across ACT parks, reserves and open spaces.

Weeds that spread at a rapid rate, including Blackberry, St John’s Wort, Broom, African Lovegrass, Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needlegrass, will be the main priority for the Department of Parks and Conservation.

“Above average rainfall last summer encouraged the spread of a number of invasive weeds, in particular, Blackberry and St John’s Wort,” Parks and Conservation, senior invasive weeds officer, Steve Taylor said.

“Other highly invasive weeds have also taken advantage of the above average rainfall including African Lovegrass.

“The ACT Government has increased its funding to control these weeds with an additional $2.1 million being allocated to weed management programs than was spent last financial year.”

He said priority areas include endangered ecological communities and areas with rare or threatened species impacted by environmental weeds. Locations include native grasslands, Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodlands, Namadgi National Park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Googong Foreshores and the Murrumbidgee River Corridor.

“Flooding experienced earlier this year has also led to considerable Willow debris flowing into our lakes and waterways. A willow control program and associated taskforce is being developed to implement a large program of Willow control and debris removal across the ACT,” he said.

For more information on weed control work in the ACT visit www.tams.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.