Sydney Central Alligator Weed and Ludwigia project

Councils and DEC, with funding assistance from the Dept of Primary Industries, are targetting Alligator Weed and Ludwigia at the following locations:

• Botany Bay City Council - Sir Joseph Banks Park.
• Canada Bay City Council - Half Moon Bay, Drummoyne.
• Randwick City Council - Woomera Reserve; Chifley Bushland Remmant and Lake Malabar.
• Canterbury City Council - Wolli Creek.
• Dept of Environment & Conservation, Parks & Wildlife Service - Wolli Creek Regional Park and Congwong Beach in Botany Bay National Park.
• Hurstville City Council - Marine Drive Reserve; Oatley Park; Peakhurst Foreshore; Robyn Street Peakhurst; Riverwood Wetlands; Edith Bay Wetlands, Trafalgar Street/Pearce Avenue Peakhurst; Johnstone Street Reserve and Harvey Dixon Reserve.
• Kogarah Council - Moore Reserve and Oatley Pleasure Grounds.
• Rockdale Council - Wolli Creek, Scarborough Park and the Bardwell Creek Valley.
• Waverley Council - Bronte Beach.

The focus of this project is to implement the Alligator Weed and Ludwigia Regional Weeds Plans and manage these high priority noxious weeds in the Sydney Central region. The project, which commenced in March 2004, includes the coordinated survey and mapping of both weeds and the production of computerised maps. This is improving our knowledge of their current extent and allowing for more effective management, control and monitoring.

On-ground control and eradication works have recently started, using best management practice techniques, to cooperatively control and prevent the spread of both weeds in the region and to protect environmental, recreational and agricultural resources.

These two introduced plants have the potential to spread much further in the region and invade creeklines, wetlands and market gardens. So if you think you may have found either one of them in a local reserve or backyard, contact your local council immediately!

Sydney Water Corporation has been successfully eradicating Alligator Weed, Ludwigia and other noxious weeds in the Botany Wetlands over the past 10 years, as part of a large scale wetland rehabilitation program. Native plants are now thriving in their place, providing significant bird habitat especially for migratory birds.

Searching for Alligator Weed in a Kogarah Council wetland. Photo: Jo Lynch