Weeding out rainforest killers

Tweed-based Far North Coast Weeds inspector Howard Alston with a miconia plant.

Contributed

REPORTS of one of the world's worst weeds came from the Gold Coast Hinterland just before Christmas last year.

It was found not to be the dreaded siam weed which could destroy the Tweed shire's national parks, said Far North Coast Weeds services manager Jim Willmott.

He said it showed the importance of the statewide Weeds Action Program, which gave the North Coast almost $1 million in funding this week.

"We're really educating people to report siam weed if they see it," Mr Willmott said.

"You can never give up and really we should have had this approach 15 to 20 years ago."

The approach involves the 2010 move from "traditional weed management, to getting the best bang for our buck and asking how do we get rid of weeds early.

He said this early action is eradicating the miconia plant which is down to about 15 mainly in the Tweed shire.

"We've found miconias in Tomewin, Burringbar and Dungay.

"It's got the capacity to invade intact rainforest across the world heritage listed Scenic Rim."

The miconia was introduced as an ornamental plant and an "intense" eradication program in the Tweed has reduced its potential to be as damaging as camphor laurel.

"You can see what camphor laurel has done," Mr Willmott said.

"It destroys native vegetation, affects farmland and biodiversity.

"The funding is also helping with weeds not declared, such as a big one in Tweed - the giant devil's fig."

He said there were four key elements to weed management.

"Preventing new species from entering the Tweed.

"Eradication and control, which includes getting rid of miconia.

"Building the capacity of the community to recognise the weeds and report them to us.

"And it's also about education on how to prevent weeds; practices everyone should be abiding by."

One of this area's weaknesses was its similarity in climate to north Queensland, where miconias were already a big problem.

"And siam weed, which is known as one of the worst in the world," Mr Willmott said.