Project :

Improving the availability of herbicides in suitable (small) quantities for PHBG landholders wanting to control arum lily at a lower cost

SUMMARY

Arum lily is a declared weed and is one of the PHBG’s priority pests. Found along waterways and in damp areas, arum lily competes with native plants, impacting biodiversity and invades pastures posing a risk to stock due to its toxicity. Chemical treatment of arum lily is a highly effective control option. Recommended herbicides (Metsulfuron and Chlorsulfuron) are packaged in large quantities, but landholders only require a small quantity to treat infestations on their properties. This is proving to be a barrier to the control of arum lily in the South West of WA.


A number of community based organisations are repackaging commercially available herbicides into smaller packages to distribute to landholders. This option was explored by the Leschenault Biosecurity Group (LBG), who found that there were legal implications administering this service. The LBG has been liaising with relevant government authorities to work through the legalities; however, it does not look like a solution will be forthcoming in a timely fashion.


An alternative option is to negotiate directly with the commercial suppliers and local distributors of the herbicide to provide the product in smaller quantities. This project will begin at this point, and only proceed if a supply arrangement can be negotiated with commercial suppliers and local distributors. If this can be achieved, the PHBG will undertake a seasonal media campaign to promote access to the herbicide (where it can be purchased in smaller quantities), as well as directly inviting any landholder that receives a ‘Landholder Alert Letter’ for arum lily to participate in the project. The PHBG already has a number of backpack sprayers available for loan, which will also be included in the promotional material.

SCOPE


IN (i.e. what the PHBG will be doing …)

  • Facilitation of herbicide packaging and supply in smaller quantities

  • Promotion of where herbicide can be purchased in smaller quantities

  • Information on arum lily control

  • Loan of backpack spray units to landholders free of charge

  • Record keeping

OUT (i.e. what the PHBG will not be doing …)

  • Servicing landholders outside the PHBG operational area

  • Decanting and repackaging of herbicide

  • Purchase of herbicide

  • Control of arum lily

REPORTING

  • Annually, according to the timeline set out by DPIRD.

  • Further reporting is dependent on whether supply is achieved and the project is rolled out to landholders.

GOALS

    • Provide landholders with access to herbicides in smaller quantities to control their arum lily at a lower cost.

    • Provide landholders with information on the best use of herbicides for the effective control of arum lily.

    • Increase the number of landholders undertaking arum lily control using PHBG resources and equipment.

MILESTONES

  • June - supply arrangements negotiated and put in place for local distribution.

  • If above milestone achieved;

  • July - November - Delivery of equipment, landholder engagement

  • December -

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

  • If project moves past initial milestone;

  • Number of units of herbicide sold at local distributors.

  • Number of landholders who loan spray backpacks.

  • Number of landholders who provide feedback.

  • PHBG workflows completed to a satisfactory level (e.g. Job Safety Analysis, Vehicle Safety Checklist, Equipment Maintenance Checklist, Landholder Handover Checklist)

  • Landholder satisfaction with PHBG support.

  • Number of reports completed on-time.