Biodiversity Priorities for Widespread Weeds site management plan pro-forma
This pro-forma is designed to be used at all control category 1 sites before control is undertaken. Actions in this site plan
must address or aim to protect all biological assets listed in the site nomination (especially threatened species and
endangered ecological communities/wetlands). This pro-forma can also be used for lower priority control sites. Each sitespecific management plan should be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Control
category
Site number
3144
1
Site location details
Site name
3144 – Blackberry Rd, Example
NR
latitude/longitude
AMS equipment no.
(NPWS only)
9674901
Site owner
NPWS
GPS coordinates
Datum
(choose one reference)
(GDA94
or AGD66
easting/northing
327679E, 6843821N
GDA94
Where GPS reading
was taken (e.g. centre
Blackberry Rd, centre of site
Zone
(54, 55 or 56)
56
point of site)
Arthur Smith (Ranger), ph xxxx
yyyy
Site manager and
contact details
Date prepared
May 2012
LGA or national park
name
Example Nature Reserve
Date for review (3 years
May 2015
from start)
List priority species, populations or ecological communities at risk from weeds at the site (as per Bitou TAP or BPWW site nomination)
Scientific name
Common name
White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland EEC
Grevillea obtusiflora
List all priority weeds having a high impact on the biodiversity listed above at this site
Scientific name
Common name
Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.
Blackberry
Ailanthus altissima
Tree of heaven
Nassella trichotoma
Serrated tussock
Management
objective
1
Reduce the impact of the above weeds to protect the above listed native biodiversity
2
Reduce the spread of weeds within the reserve and to other off-park tenure
Responsibilities (if a community group, also add details in Community involvement section)
Stakeholder details
Responsibilities
OEH Pest and Ecological Management Unit
Plan approval and data analysis
NPWS, Example area ranger
Implement site plan and carry out monitoring
Example Eco Bushworks contractors
Conduct control
NPWS, Example area field staff
Conduct control
Blackberry warriors
Conduct control in sensitive areas around Grevillea locations, and possible
involvement with monitoring.
Community involvement
Name of community group or
individual/s working at the site
Frequency of work undertaken at the site
Number of people involved
Blackberry warriors
Bi-monthly
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1
Section 1 – site map
1. Map the site. For guidance, refer to the mapping component of the standard tier of the monitoring manual for bitou
bush control (Hughes et al. 2009). Site map should include the following features:
 Site boundary line, scale, legend and north orientation
 locations of priority weed species
 the location of all high priority species and ecological communities listed on page 1. Also include any other rare or
threatened species at your site. If your control program is to conserve an animal species, please include the locations
of their habitat (or likely habitat) on the map as well as the vegetation or habitat type
 locations of the stages of control and any distinct control areas within the site (see Section 5 below). Please note that
each stage of control may take several years to complete, and
 other major weed species present.
Use cross-hatching to illustrate the general area for those species and ecological communities where the exact location
is unknown, and for widely dispersed species and ecological communities. If using a computer package for mapping,
please retain your shapefiles for future use. See the Monitoring Manual (Hughes et al. 2009) for how to create this map
in GIS.
2
3
Section 2 – site history
2. Outline the long-term management of the site. Include a site history over the last five years, if possible. Include all
weed control and work on threatened species or communities. Include the year each activity took place and the
stakeholders and costs involved. Also include information on any other weed control undertaken at the site.
Year*
Control
measure
undertaken
Cut stump,
foliar spray
Indicative cost
Target weed species
Stakeholders
Cash ($)
Example Eco
Bushworks
contractors,
Blackberry
warriors
Blackberry
2011
Foliar spray,
stem injection
Tree of heaven
Foliar spray
Blackberry
Example Eco
Bushworks
contractors
2010
Foliar spray,
stem injection
2009
Foliar spray
2007-8
No control
Tree of heaven
$5000
White box – yellow box –
Blakely’s red gum
woodland EEC, Grevillea
obtusiflora
$1500
White box – yellow box –
Blakely’s red gum
woodland EEC, Grevillea
obtusiflora
$3000
White box – yellow box –
Blakely’s red gum
woodland EEC, Grevillea
obtusiflora
$2000
$2000
$3000
$2000
NPWS, Example
area field staff
Serrated tussock
In-kind
Focus - Specific
threatened species or
communities managed
*Please insert extra lines if needed.
Section 3 – site attributes
3. Identify the attributes of the site that may affect control or monitoring and thus the cost. Examples are steep terrain,
difficult access, and remediation works or fencing that may be needed. Attributes may also include visitation rates; e.g.
in high visitation areas the use of fire as a control measure may not be feasible because of the need for park closures.
Attributes that may affect control and monitoring at the site
How they affect control/monitoring and how this will be managed
Site is at a high elevation and the plant growth period window is
small.
Ensure control occurs in summer months, and that contractors are
organised in advance.
Blackberry is present along a drainage line and old dam.
Foliar application of herbicide to be avoided, cut stump application
to be used.
Site prone to fire in summer months when most treatment will
occur.
Check current fire danger prior to contractors, volunteers and staff
going to site. Include in JSA and ensure Comms plan followed.
Section 4 - Indigenous consultation
4. Where possible identify any Aboriginal cultural heritage sites present. Check the sensitivity of any disclosure of this
information before listing below.
Location (coordinates – if location
Site number (e.g.
details are sensitive ensure that
knowledge of the site is passed onto
personnel implementing control)
NPWS Aboriginal
Heritage Information
Management System)
Aboriginal gathering place
Location details sensitive
FSW-1
Site close to proposed
treatment area. Ensure
contractors aware of site
location and likelihood of
others in area
Burial
Location details sensitive
22-1-0055
As above
Cultural heritage
site name
Description of site (e.g. midden)
Example Ridge 1
Rocky creek
Protection works
required
4
5. Identify and consult with indigenous people with respect to any special knowledge or interest in the site or the species,
population or ecological community and control programs at that site, including the likely social, cultural and economic
consequences. Any consultation should be consistent with the requirements of the Commonwealth Native Title Act
1993 and the respective state legislations.
Name of person contacted
Details of interest
Date contacted
Outcomes of consultation
Joe Bloggs
Example LALC
5 May 2012
Supportive of proposed actions
Section 5 – control
6. Identify the stages of weed control required and the proposed timetable for each stage over a 3 year period.
Identify the most appropriate management technique required for the type of weeds present and the level of
infestation for the stage of control.
Outline the follow-up control required in each stage to prevent re-invasion/regrowth at the site after the initial
control.
Estimated cost
Area/location to
be treated (please
Initial control
technique to be used
Follow-up control
technique to be used
Other restoration
activities (other
also mark on map in
Section 1)
(e.g. cut and paint, ground
spraying, etc.)
(e.g. for recruitment and
re-sprouting plants)
methods beyond weed
control)
Year
Stages of
control
1
1
Tree of heaven
infestation
Stem injection, cut
stump, foliar spray
juveniles
Foliar spray, manual
control, cut stump
None
1
1
Blackberry
Foliar spray, cut
stump
Foliar spray, cut
stump
None
2
1
Tree of heaven
infestation
Stem injection, cut
stump, foliar spray
juveniles
Foliar spray, manual
control, cut stump
None
2
1
Blackberry
Foliar spray, cut
stump
Foliar spray, cut
stump
None
3
2
Tree of heaven
infestation
Stem injection, cut
stump, foliar spray
juveniles
Foliar spray, stem
injection, cut stump
None
3
2
Blackberry
Foliar spray, cut
stump
Foliar spray, manual
control, cut stump
None
Initial
control
Followup
control
$3500
$1000
$5000
$2000
$2500
$1500
$4000
$2000
$4000
$2000
$6000
$3000
7. Identify any likely non-target effects of the control program outlined above and how this will be accounted for
Include priority biota and OTHER biota not listed on the front page. Consider species that benefit from a weed species
(i.e. those positively impacted) and indicate what measures will be put in place to reduce the impact of weed removal
(e.g. replanting of native food trees). Also list other methods that will be used to protect the high priority biodiversity.
Non-target effects of control (include biodiversity affected which may include that
listed above in Point 6)
How will this be avoided or mitigated?
Possible presence of Planta examplii in the treatment area, a
herbaceous threatened species that is known to be highly susceptible to
Metsulfuron methyl and Picloram
Conduct a site search in low-lying wet areas prior to control
to determine if the species is present and if the area is
suitable habitat. Ensure contractors and volunteers are
aware of the species. If species found, use cut stump control
in vicinity.
Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australiacus) found in nearby semipermanent streams.
Treat weeds close to the semi-permanent stream and dam
with cut stump herbicide application. To prevent Chytrid
fungus transport, upon arrival at the site disinfect boots and
equipment used by persons treating weeds near the stream
and dam.
5
Section 6 – monitoring
8. Outline a monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of weed control with respect to the response of target
weeds and native species and ecological communities listed on page 1. See the Monitoring Manual (Hughes et al.
2009) for more information.
Monitoring question
1
Is the abundance and no. of native species increasing in the EEC?
(Link to management
objective on page 1)
2
Is the abundance of weeds decreasing in treatment areas?
Monitoring method
undertaken (e.g. photo
points, quadrats)
6 photopoints, 3 each
in tree of heaven and
blackberry
management area in
EEC. As per
Standard Monitoring
Techniques,
Monitoring Manual.
3 x 20x20 m
Quadrats as per
Advanced Monitoring
Techniques,
Monitoring Manual.
Measures collected
(i.e. what is being
measured or recorded
– seedling counts)
Transition from
weed to native
dominated
community.
Plant species
richness and cover
abundance in EEC.
Interval of collection
(frequency at which data is
collected)
Where data is stored and the
collector of the data
Data analysis and
interval of analysis
NPWS, example area share
drive. Collector: Arthur Smith.
Images sent to Pest and
Ecological Management
Unit on an annual basis,
also sent to external
funding bodies as part of
reporting.
Data collected by Arthur Smith
NPWS and possibly volunteers.
Data stored NPWS Example
area share drive.
Data sent to Pest and
Ecological Management
Unit post data collection.
Photos taken:
 prior to initial control
 6 monthly
Prior to initial control
and annually for
minimum of 5 years,
review interval after
this. Undertake annual
monitoring before
treatment season.
Section 7 – legislative and other requirements
9a. Ensure all pesticide applications comply with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
regulations.
9b. Ensure that all herbicides are used in accordance with the label recommendations.
9c. Ensure all regulations of the NSW Pesticides Act 1999 are upheld (e.g. training, record keeping and notification).
10. Where required in New South Wales, a Section 132C Licence can be applied for individually (through OEH, see
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildlifelicences/sciedconlicences.htm).
11. Assess the potential environmental impacts of the management strategies outlined and if needed undertake a risk
assessment.
12. Ensure implementation of this plan does not contravene actions in Recovery Plans or the Priorities Action Statement
for threatened taxa present at the site.
13. Ensure all activities comply with OH&S standards/guidelines and that a Job Safety Analysis (or similar) has been
prepared where required.
Section 8 – other information
14. Outline any other relevant aspects of your site and weed control program. Please also include here any general
observations of the site and the vegetation community (e.g. time since last fire).
Other aspects of the site which may influence the conservation of
biodiversity
Effect
Tree of heaven infestation spans to off-park tenure to the west.
Continue to liaise with landholder to encourage co-operative
control.
Tree of heaven will sucker from roots when cut down or poisoned
Repeat treatment is necessary
Published by:
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney South 1232
Ph: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) [or use1300 361 967 (national parks, climate
change and energy efficiency information and publications requests) where content relates to these areas]
TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au; Web: www.environment.nsw.gov.au
Report pollution and environmental incidents: Environment Line: 131 555 (NSW only)
OEH 2013/0585; July 2013
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