Published Friday, 30 March, 2007 at 02:01 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
GRADER GRASS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Biosecurity Queensland is planning an assault on one of the state’s most debilitating weeds – grader grass.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland and the Tropical Weeds Research Centre at Charters Towers would conduct a two-year research project into the ecological aspects of the weed.
“Grader grass is a native of India and has become a significant problem in northern Queensland,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The focus will be on long-term management of a weed that smothers native plants, reduces biodiversity and increases fire hazard.
“The pest forms tall thickets, covering large tracts of land, smothering native plants and increasing fire hazards.
“It is a high priority pest in several shires including Etheridge and Dalrymple.
“It has the potential to change biodiversity, reduce conservation values and reduce grazing animal production of large areas of the tropical savannas.”
Biosecurity Queensland is leading the project in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, landholders and the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Fire Management Unit.
The project is funded by the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf Catchments Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies.
DPI&F project Leader Dr Wayne Vogler said the project would examine the ecology and management of grader grass.
“Key components of the project include seed longevity, effect of fire, pasture quality and seed germination requirements,” Dr Vogler said.
“This project will provide economic and environmental benefits through the development of management recommendations so that land managers can reduce the economic and environmental impacts of this weedy grass.”
More information is available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media: 323 96530
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland and the Tropical Weeds Research Centre at Charters Towers would conduct a two-year research project into the ecological aspects of the weed.
“Grader grass is a native of India and has become a significant problem in northern Queensland,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The focus will be on long-term management of a weed that smothers native plants, reduces biodiversity and increases fire hazard.
“The pest forms tall thickets, covering large tracts of land, smothering native plants and increasing fire hazards.
“It is a high priority pest in several shires including Etheridge and Dalrymple.
“It has the potential to change biodiversity, reduce conservation values and reduce grazing animal production of large areas of the tropical savannas.”
Biosecurity Queensland is leading the project in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, landholders and the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Fire Management Unit.
The project is funded by the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf Catchments Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies.
DPI&F project Leader Dr Wayne Vogler said the project would examine the ecology and management of grader grass.
“Key components of the project include seed longevity, effect of fire, pasture quality and seed germination requirements,” Dr Vogler said.
“This project will provide economic and environmental benefits through the development of management recommendations so that land managers can reduce the economic and environmental impacts of this weedy grass.”
More information is available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media: 323 96530