A major problem in the Northern Gulf and other regions is the pest plant ‘cryptostegia giandiflora’
commonly known as Rubber Vine. When the seed pods open a tuft of long white silky hairs containing up to 450 brown seeds are distributed by wind and water over huge areas.

Control has proved extremely difficult as it often grows in inaccessible regions and the only access to it is by air. The Northern Gulf Resource management Group through the Etheridge Shire Council
recently brought experienced staff from Tasmania Forestry to conduct the training of 3 three local
helicopter pilots giving them the skills required to control their helicopters while starting fires in
Rubber Vine growing along river and creek beds.

Trial fires were ignited by a Heli-torch designed by Tasmania Forestry that ejects a flammable gel
directly onto the problem area. The gel is electronically ignited as it emerges from its container.

The helicopters fly close to the Rubber Vine and drip the gel through the most affected area.
The outcome of this method depends on the moisture content of the Rubber Vine. The area
selected for burning needs to be dry enough to ignite the Rubber Vine but wet enough to stop the

Since the first detection in Queensland of Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) on Monday 27 December, investigations have confirmed the plant disease on a total of nine premises located throughout south-east Queensland (all sites inspected in North Queensland have been negative).

The infected properties include six retail nurseries and three production/wholesale nurseries.

Disease control measures have been put in place on each of the infected properties to prevent any further spread of the disease.

A Myrtle rust Control Group met on 4 January 2011 to provide an update on the disease situation and discuss the short term objectives of the response. This Control Group includes representatives from Premiers Department, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and Queensland industry bodies including:
• cut flower
• nursery and garden
• forestry and timber
• bee

Biosecurity Queensland has commenced trace back investigations to determine the source of the infected plants at each premise and trace forward investigations to try and locate any plants sold to the public or other retail nurseries.

Surveillance will also continue at green-life retail outlets in the Brisbane area over the coming weeks to determine if the disease may be more widespread. To date, no evidence of disease has been found.

The rabbits around Stanthorpe are in for a tough time as a project targeting their homes aims to reduce the pest animals’ impact on valuable crops and pastures.

The third-year Environmental Management and Agricultural Science students from the University of Queensland (UQ) took part in the three-day field trip to examine real life examples of landscape scale management of natural resources.

The Queensland Landcare Conference runs from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October 2009 and will showcase land and water management practices involving everything from water wise gardens, the control of woody and exotic weeds, to feral animal control and the rehabilitation of our natural water courses.

The Conference Program consists of plenary sessions with keynote presentations by well known industry representatives, field trips and has an extensive social program designed to incorporate everything the conference theme entails: Legends, Larrikins and Landcare.

We look forward to your participation and contribution to Landcare in Longreach.

For more information visit the conference website at www.iceaustralia.com/qldlandcare09/

Location

Major coverage

Major coverage

The Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, or Weeds CRC, provides a wealth of information for your weed management needs such as directories and guidance.

Weeds and Problem Plants of the Channel Country is a glove box size 135 page booklet designed to aid in the identification of weeds and problem plants likely to be found in Western Queensland.