Keeping a Hawk Eye on Hawkweed

So what is it? Two Hawkweed species have been detected in the Snowy Monaro region; Orange Hawkweed and Mouse-ear Hawkweed. Until recently, both species were contained to small pockets within Kosciusko National Park (KNP), with extensive search and destroy programs being rolled out by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) to eradicate these weeds.

Orange Hawkweed was confirmed at a site on private land at Snowy Plains in December 2016 and a second site confirmed south west of Lake Eucumbene during December 2017. These infestations represent the only known Hawkweed infestations on private land in NSW. Authorities are yet to determine how the infestations have arisen at these sites, however it’s believed the likely vectors to be feral animals, vehicles or wind.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH HAWKWEED? The estimated potential loss to the agricultural grazing industry from Orange Hawkweed alone is $66 million. It is highly invasive, forming dense stands of up to 3800 plants/m2, enabling it to displace native and introduced grasses and rendering country unsuitable for grazing.

On the south island of New Zealand, Hawkweeds, of which mouse-ear is most prominent, had invaded more than 6 million hectares by 1990. They have outcompeted herbs, heath, Sweet Briar and Tussock grasslands. In extreme cases, farms have been abandoned. If the species is allowed to reach its full potential within the Snowy Monaro region, the NSW Department of Primary Industries estimates that grazing lands could experience a 95% reduction in carrying capacity.

Local authorities are taking this threat very seriously with intensive surveillance and control programs implemented around known Hawkweed sites and increased surveillance in surrounding localities. Snowy Monaro Regional Council is investing considerable resources into Hawkweed surveillance. This weed is considered a high priority for Council.

In accordance with its obligations, Council has developed and implemented an emergency response program with the view to eradicating Hawkweed. Council officers have been deployed to perform intensive property inspections around known Hawkweed locations and weed detector dogs and drones have been incorporated into the surveillance program to ensure the early detection of outlier infestations.

Council’s Hawkweed eradication program has been supported by the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust. This grant has funded the purchase of drone technology, training a drone pilot, contracting the Hawkweed sniffer dogs and conducting community engagement and education activities.

Hawkweed species are defined as Prohibited Matter under the Biosecurity Act 2015. A person who suspects that they may have identified a Hawkweed infestation can report it immediately to one of Council’s Biosecurity Officers or to the Local Land Services. Once confirmed, staff will assist with confirming identification, the immediate control of infestations and support landholders with ongoing surveillance.

If you would like to be placed on Council’s Hawkweed Communication email list, would like to pre-register for the Orange Hawkweed field days or if you are interested in joining one of the volunteer search parties please email [email protected] attention Biosecurity Extension Officer – Hawkweed Project.

If you have any questions or would simply like more information please contact Council at [email protected] attention Biosecurity Extension Officer – Hawkweed Project.