Trim Ref: M09/8461Page 1 of 3Date last revised: April 2009
City of NedlandsNatural Area Management Information Sheet
Feral Animal control
Feral Bee Control
Feral bees are European Honeybees (Apis mellifera)that have escaped from managed hives and formed their own colonies in the environment. They are aggressive and can displace native birds and animals from natural nesting hollows in trees as well as artificially installed nest boxes. Feral bees can also carry exotic bee diseases and mites.
The aim of feral bee control is to protect and increase the availability of habitat for native birds and animals.
Feral Rabbit Control
Feral rabbits are a serious pest in terms of loss of native flora and fauna, as well as impacts to primary industries. Rabbits were introduced into Australia during the second half of the 19th century and despite many different control measures being applied they are still prevalent throughout the country including the metropolitan area.
Rabbit populations in the City of Nedlands impede the success of revegetation programs and cause damage to existing native vegetation especially along the coast. Their numbers fluctuate seasonally according to the availability of food and fresh water. Irrigated private lawns and public grassed areas provide excellent habitat for rabbits and the highest populations in the City of Nedlands are found in Allen Park Bushland due the presence of grassed playing fields adjacent to the bushland.
In the City of Nedlands rabbit activity is periodically controlled with an integrated program of baiting, fumigation or introduction of viruses.
Feral Foxes
Periodically foxes are sighted in the City of Nedlands bushland reserves. When they are sighted traps are set up in the area overnight, once caught they are then removed from the reserves.
Phytophthora Dieback Management
Phytophthora causes dieback of native and introduced plants including ornamentals, vines, fruit and vegetables. Phytophthora Dieback occurs in native bushlands farmlands, nurseries and gardens. It kills susceptible plant species by limiting or stopping the uptake of water and nutrients. It is a major risk to some of Australia's threatened native species and ecological communities.
Of the 32 species of Phytophthora in Australia, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora cryptogea and Phytophthora. megasperma are the most common. However, Phytophthora cinnamomi is considered the most widespread and destructive Phytophthora species.
Until February 2008 the City of Nedlands was considered to be free of Phytophthora DiebackHowever, in February 2008 a private residence in Nedlands tested positive for Phytophthoraand in March 2008 the City of Nedlands mulch pile also tested positive for Phytophthora; highlighting the City’s need to address management of the disease in case of further spread.
Currently only certified mulch is used in Nedlands bushland reserves and greenways and any unhealthy or dying shrubs or trees are inspected and tested for the disease so that treatment can be undertaken and spread of the disease limited.
Environmental Weed Management
Environmental weed invasion is one of the most serious threats to the remaining natural areas in the urban environment. Environmental weeds out compete native flora, create fire hazards and contribute to an overall reduction in bushland, wetland, coastal and riverine condition.
Environmental weeds are plants that are not local to the area they inhabit. They are highly invasive and rapidly replacelocal native vegetation as well as native fauna and insects. Many environmental weeds were introduced from overseas or from other parts of Australia, escaping from gardens or agricultural areas and invading our local urban areas and bushland.
Disturbance in natural areas (such as grazing, logging, trampling and too frequent fire regimes) create ideal areas for weed invasion. The City of Nedlands as part of natural area management aims to control priority environmental weeds in all natural areas and greenways (funding permitting).
Weed Management in the City of Nedlands involves using a number of different techniques
to control weeds for practical and effective long term outcomes.
Weed control techniques include physical methods such as hand weeding and slashing; chemical methods such as applying selective or non – selective herbicides and biological methods which use the invasive plant's naturally occurring enemies, to help reduce its impact such as the leaf hopper and the rust for Bridle Creeper control.
The City of Nedlands undertakes an annual environmental weed control program of priority environmental weeds in bushland reserves as recommended in bushland management plans. Herbicide application is only used in bushland areas where manual and biological removal is impractical and or expensive.
Several herbicides are used in bushland areas they include:
•Metsulfuron methyl or 2 2-DPA (Propon) and/or Glyphosate for the control of invasive South African ‘bulbous’ weeds; and
•Fluazifop-P (Fusilade Forte) for the control of grass weeds, primarily African Veldt Grass; and
•Access and diesel for basal bark treatment of woody weeds.
Due to unpredictable weather conditions, exact dates for spraying cannot be confirmed, however, appropriate signage will be clearly displayed during the application and spraying will be undertaken by licensed contractors. Spraying will occur under strict supervision from City of Nedlands staff and in accordance with Health Department Regulations. All chemicals used will be weed-specific, applied at the lowest effective rate and at the most effective time for weed control.
Restoration Activities
The City of Nedlands in conjunction with bushland community groups undertakes an annual winter planting program in many of the City’s bushland reserves and greenways. Approximately 10,000 local native seedlings are planted annually.
Trim Ref: M09/8461Page 1 of 3Date last revised: April 2009