Residents in Bairnsdale are being encouraged to keep a lookout for the State prohibited weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), following a recent detection in the area.
Water hyacinth is a highly invasive declared State prohibited weed (SPW) in Victoria, the highest category of noxious weed.
Leading Biosecurity Officer Kaitlin Wright said investigations of a recent detection at a property in Bairnsdale has indicated there could be more water hyacinth infestations in the area.
“We’re calling on residents to report any sightings of water hyacinth immediately to Agriculture Victoria and not to attempt to remove or dispose of it themselves,” said Ms Wright.
“Gardeners are often unaware of the invasive and destructive nature of the plant and sometimes include it in their gardens because of the pretty flowers it displays”.
“Water hyacinths can smother waterways, choke dam infrastructure, displace native plants and animals and reduce oxygen levels in waterways.
“Gardeners may think water hyacinth is harmless, but all it takes is a single plant to enter a waterbody such as a dam or river to cause a whole range of problems.
“They also provide ideal mosquito habitat for breeding, which are prevalent given the high rainfall and high humidity we’ve experienced over summer,” she said.
Water hyacinth can be identified by its purple flower spikes in summer and thick, fleshy round leaves that sit on the water’s surface.
A single plant can produce up to 3000 seeds each season, with infestations doubling in size every two weeks.
Ms Wright said there have been a total of 38 water hyacinth infestations in the Gippsland region, most of which have been eradicated. However, Agriculture Victoria are currently managing seven infestations.
“One of the most complex and ongoing infestations was first detected over 30 years ago near Brodribb River and despite several treatments, it has re-emerged when the right conditions occur to germinate seed which has been dormant for many years,” she said.
Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act), it is an offence to buy, sell, display, or transport water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) within Victoria.
Ms Wright said if an infestation of water hyacinthis detected, Agriculture Victoria will treat, remove and/or dispose of the weed at no cost to the landowner.
“Please do not attempt to treat and dispose of the weed yourself.”
