Landholders on board weed project
9 June 2026
There’s been a great response to broad-ranging efforts to mitigate the threat of invasive weeds on Flinders Island, with workshops, training days and landholder commitment creating positive on-ground action.
Delivered by NRM North, the Furneaux Islands Project is supported by the Tasmanian Government’s Weeds Action Fund (WAF). Now in stage three, the state government has committed an additional $1.19 million to deliver six projects between 2025 and 2027.
In April, a workshop on identifying and managing Chilean needlegrass was well attended, followed by a formal ChemCert training session in May to learn how to safely spray weeds. Project Coordinator Andrew Easton said equipping landholders with the skills to self-manage weed infestations is a key focus of the initiative.
“Learning how to safely handle, store and apply chemicals to get the most effective control of weeds and minimising off-target damage has been really valuable for landholders,” said Mr Easton.
As well as Chilean needlegrass, priority weeds include African boxthorn, and Paterson’s curse, which, if not controlled or in many cases eradicated, pose a serious threat to agricultural yield and biodiversity assets. Mr Easton said effective weed management in the Furneaux group requires a multi-faceted approach.
Participants attending a Chilean needlegrass workshop on Flinders Island.
“The project works on the premise of long-term commitment, coordination and collaboration across land tenures in a bid to combat invasive weeds now, and in the future.”
Mr Easton said it’s encouraging to see landholders right behind the WAF Furneaux Island Project, with many eager to translate planning into management actions. Effectively managing invasive weeds not only reduces threats to valuable agricultural and natural assets, evidence suggests improvements can be made to soil health, sustainability and resilience of agricultural land as well.
Activities undertaken in the WAF Furneaux Island Project continue to build on collaborative foundations established in previous stages of the Weeds Action Fund.
The project is due for completion in May 2027.