Originally formed in 1993, Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare historically encompassed Faithfull and Sheans Creeks, both hills and plains. The group was formed to combat Pattersons Curse and other weeds, salinity, rabbits and erosion control along waterways and has extended their activities to include renewable energy and emerging agricultural practices.
Their past projects have included:
- Chemical Handling Certification for Landcare members
- Paterson’s Curse Control on Private Land
- Tunnel erosion and salinity on fragile granite soils
- Weed control along roadsides in partership with Strathbogie Shire Council
- Dispersal of funds for weed control to local landholders
- Field days on rabbit control
Contact Us
For more information on Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare and how to get involved with their upcoming activities, please contact Secretary Lee Thistlethwaite via email: [email protected]
This group is supported by the Gecko Clan Landcare Network (Landcare Facilitator Claire Birch ph. 0448 908 690)
“Paterson’s Curse is only a problem when landholders no longer consider it a problem”
Paterson’s Curse is a weed has significant costs to agriculture production. Agriculture Victoria state that ‘Paterson’s curse is poisonous to grazing animals. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which cause cumulative chronic liver damage, loss of condition and sometimes death.’ It is listed as a Weed of Regional Significance under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (VIC). This status means that “Land owners have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of Regionally controlled weeds on their land.”
The Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare Group have prepared the following information to assist landholders in the region assess and control Paterson’s Curse on their properties.
How much of a problem do I have?
The level of infestation on your land can be estimated using the following photos as a guide. This information is useful for determining the most effective treatment options for your land.
What are my options for treatment?
The Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare Group can provide advise to landholders on the best methods for treatment depending on your level of infestation, the topography of your land, as well as the landholder capacity.
Cultural Control Methods:
The Paterson’s Curse Management Handbook released by Tom Morely and Peter Stapleton in 1999 identify a number of control methods. These include:
- Hand weeding;
- Cultivation;
- Pasture competition;
- Slashing/ mowing;
- Grazing;
- Burning.
It is likely that a combination of the above methods would be best suited to your property. Contact the Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare group for more information about how you can apply these methods.
Biological Control:
The Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare Group are initiating biological control trials in our region. Biological controls utilise a range of insects that affect the growth and spread of Paterson’s Curse. An example of this is the Paterson’s curse flower feeding beetle Meligethes planiusculus . This beetle causes damage to the flowers and developing seed by feeding on them, thus reducing seed production.
Further information about biological controls for Paterson’s Curse can be found here.
Chemical treatment:
The Balmattum Sheans Creek Landcare Group have coordinated an aerial spraying program. The best time for chemical treatment of Paterson’s Curse is in late autumn. Over the pre-summer months when the flowers can be seen, landholders are advised to take photos of the extent of the infestation. This ensures that the appropriate areas are treated when chemical treatment is most effective.
Many Landcare groups across the Gecko CLaN regional also have herbicide spray carts available for hire. Information about this can be sought from Kerri Robson (email: [email protected]).
Agronomist contact for spraying advice – Sarah Hill at Landmark has been our advocate over the last 6 months and has offered free advice to our members – her contact details are Landmark Euroa and her mobile is 0400 884 058. Sarah can provide advice to land holders of appropriate chemicals for treatment of Patersons Curse.
What should I do first?
Your first course of action should be to estimate the extent of your infestation. The photos above can assist with this.
Once you have an understanding of this can seek advice from your local Landcare Group as to the most effective treatment for your property.
Where can I find further information?
In addition to contacting your local Landcare group links to further information are attached below.
Agriculture Victoria – Paterson’s Curse Information
Weeds of the Goulburn Broken Catchment – Field Guide
Biological Control of Paterson’s Curse
MLA Patersons Curse Case Study
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Rabbit Control Field Day
For further information about this project contact the Balmattum/Sheans Creek Landcare Group
