AGRICULTURE Victoria is asking the community to keep an eye out for alligator weed.
This highly adaptable weed may have spread during last year’s floods, and will now start becoming noticeable as the weather warms up and plants grow larger.
Agriculture Victoria leading biosecurity officer for incursion control Kaitlin Wright said there was only one known aquatic alligator weed infestation north of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, located at Bendigo Creek.
“Bendigo Creek flows through the township of Bendigo, then passes through high value farmland, Kerang’s RAMSAR-listed wetlands and into the Murray River,” Ms Wright said.
“We are asking the community to keep a careful watch out for the weed, especially when out walking along our northern waterways.
“The Bendigo Creek infestation threatens to displace local native flora, damage habitat for native animals, clog up drains and other infrastructure, and blocks water flow, with plant growing rapidly on both land and water.”
Alligator weed is a state prohibited weed, the highest category of declared noxious weed in Victoria – and has been found in patches over a stretch of about 30 kilometres north of the Bendigo Creek.
It spreads by high water flows and being transported by humans on vehicles or equipment, such as slashing work to maintain drains.
Ms Wright asked that people shouldn’t attempt to treat or dispose of the weed themselves and that Agriculture Victoria will treat, remove and dispose of it safely and at no cost to the landowner or manager.
“If mown or cut, alligator weed will spread faster as it sends out roots from the cuttings,” she said.
“It’s also suspected to be harmful to cattle by causing skin blisters and cancers from increased sensitivity to the sun.
“This invasive weed can form dense mats that cover large areas of water, push out native plants and reduce bird and fish life.
“The weed can also choke drains and damage pumps and irrigation equipment and invade cropland.”
Ms Wright said alligator weed has green glossy spear-shaped leaves and hollow stems that range from pale pink to yellow to green, the white papery flowers on stems often resemble common clover flowers, but the flowers will only be seen in summer.
If you see alligator weed, or any other state prohibited weed, report it to the Agriculture Victoria Customer Contact Centre on 136 186 or to weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
There is an alligator weed page on the Agriculture Victoria website with more information.
