Prickly problem persists

Although summer rains might help landholders overcome the impact of drought, they may also assist in the spread of one of Australia’s worst weeds.

Parkinsonia, a declared weed of national significance, is fast-growing and opportunistic, with seeds capable of floating on water.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace encouraged landholders to help prevent the spread of parkinsonia by controlling known infestations and to keep an eye out for new, emerging seedlings.

“Parkinsonia can form dense, impenetrable thorny thickets preventing stock access to drinking water and making mustering near impossible,” Mr Wallace said.

Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce said seeds could remain viable for years before germinating when conditions were favourable, so controlling small infestations of parkinsonia really did pay dividends long-term.

“Keeping an eye out for its distinctive slender zig-zag branches, sharp spines and yellow petalled flowers could save landholders considerable time, money and effort,” Mr Pearce said.

Rockhampton-based Natural Resources and Water (NRW) principal land protection officer Greg Jones said parkinsonia was a declared weed under the Land Protection Act 2002 and landholders were required to control it on the land and waters under their control.

Originally introduced to Australia as a shade tree, parkinsonia now infests almost one million hectares of the Australian mainland and this is only a small fraction of the total area at risk of invasion.

Cloncurry-based national coordinator for parkinsonia Nathan March said developing an overall property plan for weed management could save landholders time and money.

“While a plan must be structured, it should be flexible enough to allow for changes brought about by uncontrollable external influences such as drought,” Mr March said.

“There are a range of control techniques that can be adopted at a property level, and these techniques can be reviewed annually to assess the effectiveness,” he said.

Weeds cost Queensland an estimated $600 million every year and have significant effects on primary industries, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health.

For further information contact Rachael McDonald (07) 4938 4373 or e-mail rachael.mcdonald@nrw.qld.gov.au.

High resolution photos of parkinsonia are available on request.

Minister’s office: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 692 654.