Removing a Prickly Problem
It might sound delicious, but Wyndham City is about to start work on controlling Tiger Pear from some of the municipality’s parks and reserves.
Tiger Pear is a weed which poses a serious threat to agriculture, particularly in the Little River District with its dense thickets providing harbour for rabbits and foxes.
As part of the Tiger Pear Control Project, Wyndham City will be using the services of a contractor to help eradicate the pest from:
- Mouyong Rd Reserve;
- Malcolm Williams Reserve;
- You Yangs Rd Reserve; and
- Gleeson Rd Reserve.
Iramoo Ward Councillor Heather Marcus said the weed is a member of the family known as prickly pears.
“Tiger Pear has long, sharp spines that can cause painful injury to animals or humans who accidentally walk into or touch a plant and they have been known to survive after breaking off the root system for up to 3 years,” Cr Marcus said.
“Stamping out this pest has become a real community effort with groups such as Corio and Little River Landcare Groups and the Little River Primary School providing assistance and Wyndham City, City of Greater Geelong, Melbourne Water, and Vic Roads working cooperatively to control Tiger pear along the Little River.”
“This eradication program is part of a wider range of programs Wyndham City is implementing to improve our environment, including the Waterways Revegetation Program, Roadside Weed Control and rabbit baiting. These programs help to remove pest flora and fauna species and improve habitats and conditions for our native plants and wildlife.”
“Anyone who finds infestations of Tiger Pear should contact Wyndham City to identify the best control option for the situation”.
For more information contact Wyndham City on 9742 0777 or visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au