Corangamite Shire is home to highly productive agricultural land and natural assets that are appreciated around the world. Weeds continue to be a major challenge in the Corangamite Shire due to the large area and favourable climate. Slowing the spread of weeds is a community effort, requiring input from the entire community to see the successful control and elimination of problem weeds.
Declared noxious weeds
Some weeds are declared noxious weeds under the Catchment and Land Protection Act. Individual property owners are responsible for the control of declared weeds. To find out more about declared weeds you can find the full list at Agriculture Victoria and details on recommended treatment.
Reporting weeds
Council controls weeds on Council managed land, including Council managed roadsides. Council has no authority to enforce weed control on private properties. Enforcement is a state government responsibility through Agriculture Victoria.
Are animals that occur beyond their natural range and have the potential to impact economic, environmental and/or social values. The objective for managing the majority of established feral animals is to reduce the damage caused by pest species in the most cost-effective manner.
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 landowners are responsible for controlling pest animals on their property. As with a noxious weed, penalties can apply if they are not appropriately managed. There are many different control methods for each pest species. It is best to research the different methods that can be applied and to verify their legality.
For advice on your options you can contact the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186 or visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Rabbit Calicivirus
A new strain of the rabbit calicivirus called Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus, K5 (referred to as RHDV1 K5 or simply 'K5'), was released in Victoria in March 2017 to help landowners control pest rabbits.
Pet rabbit owners should make sure animals’ vaccinations are up-to-date to protect against the virus. Other precautions that will help protect pet rabbits include:
- Prevent contact with pest rabbits.
- Don’t cut grass from areas where pest rabbits may be foraging and feed it to pet rabbits.
- Wash hands with warm soapy water between handling rabbits.
- Insect proof the hutch with fly and mosquito-proof wire or keep pet rabbits indoors.
For any further information for pet rabbit owners, please visit the Australian Veterinary Association.