• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Teen arrested following Capel Sound attempted armed robbery
  • Car show supports young patients
  • Fatal collision in Somerville
  • Sharks get their bite back
  • Kangaroos and Demons continue undefeated starts
  • Mornington, Pines still top dogs
  • Kah finds the key to La Mexicana’s best
  • Train mounts platform in Seaford accident
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWS MPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWS MPNEWS
Home»Interviews»‘Weedbusters’ spring into action
Interviews

‘Weedbusters’ spring into action

By MP News GroupOctober 14, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
All about weeds: Providing information at the Weedbusters stall are volunteers Liz Barraclough and Sue Betheras. Picture: Angela Kirsner
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
All about weeds: Providing information at the Weedbusters stall are volunteers Liz Barraclough and Sue Betheras. Picture: Angela Kirsner

By Patricia MacLeod

IT’S easy to let the grass grow under your feet, but Mt Martha residents are being encouraged to nip weed infestations in the bud.

Environmental groups BERG MM and Sunshine Reserve Conservation and Fireguard Group recently held the annual Weedbusters stall at the Mt Martha shops to provide information on the damage caused by and offer advice on combating infestations.

BERG MM volunteer Sue Betheras said it was an opportunity to raise awareness of weeds “growing furiously at this time of year”.

“People stop to look at the display of common weeds and ask questions. Volunteers give advice on plant identification and appropriate methods of controlling particular weeds,” Ms Betheras said.

“BERG and the Sunshine Reserve group run the Weedbusters stall to raise community awareness of the importance of our environment.”

The event also lets the public to find out about BERG’s role in caring for Balcombe Estuary and reserves.

“BERG volunteers and shire contractors remove or control weeds that are the most invasive and will do the most damage to the ecology of the estuary and reserves,” Ms Betheras said

“Examples of weeds we remove are myrtle-leaf milkwort, rock rose, angled onion, winter cherry, and boneseed.”

Taking out weeds provided space for the natural regeneration of indigenous grasses, reeds, rushes, shrubs and trees.

“Removing weeds preserves the biodiversity of the estuary and reserves, and provides healthy habitat for birds, reptiles, echidnas, possums, bats, fish, and insects,” Ms Betheras said.

“Scrambling weeds such as bridal creeper, cape ivy, dolichos pea and blackberry need regular management to prevent them from smothering indigenous plants.

“People who live nearby a reserve can prevent weed species from jumping the fence by removing seed heads of plants such as agapanthus, forget-me-nots and freesias, and by planting indigenous species along fence lines adjoining reserves.”

Residents could also keep invasive species under control on their own properties, and on road verges.

“This reduces runoff, as after rain seed and plant material flows into storm water drains and ends up in creeks or the foreshore.”

Common weeds included arum lily, panic veldt grass, sweet vernal grass, kikuya grass, and oxalis, which is almost impossible to eliminate.

Many weeds may not be immediately obvious as some have attractive flowers and the appearance of native flora, like flax-leaf broom.

“Locals can familiarise themselves with common weeds and replace them with a variety of indigenous plants suited to gardens,” Ms Betheras said.

“Flowering native spring bushes include the silky Guinea-flower, a small bush with yellow flowers, and Australian Indigo which has lavender flowers. Sea Box has shiny green leaves, white flowers, red berries, and is common on the foreshore.

“Sweet bursaria and coast beard heath are small trees with white flowers that attract insects and birds.”

First published in the Mornington News – 15 October 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Moment of madness, but no end to family’s pain

April 19, 2021

People of faith sound alarm on climate

March 15, 2021

Author’s poignant polio story in new anthology

March 1, 2021

Ready for ‘action’ after lockdown

January 25, 2021
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Apr 22, 2021 - Thu
Mornington, Australia
12°C
overcast clouds
overcast clouds
2 m/s, W
71%
758.31 mmHg
thu04/22 fri04/23 sat04/24 sun04/25 mon04/26
light rain
14/14°C
light rain
15/13°C
light rain
16/14°C
light rain
15/13°C
light rain
15/13°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

March 29, 2021
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

February 25, 2021
Property of the Week

Horizon sets new goal for property prices

January 11, 2021
Council Watch

‘Providers’ sought to take over shire’s home day care

April 19, 2021

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021
Interview

Moment of madness, but no end to family’s pain

April 19, 2021
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2021 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.