Latest news with #CarolBooth
The Age
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
WA government changes tack on destructive shot-hole borer, but is it ‘too little, too late'?
The West Australian government's capitulation in the fight to eradicate an invasive pest responsible for the removal of some of Perth's grandest trees has been decried as 'tragic', and newly announced research funding lashed as 'too little, too late'. Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis revealed the change in strategy on Thursday morning after a meeting of the National Management Group the day prior deemed it was no longer technically feasible to eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer. Instead, the government has shifted to a 'management' approach that will focus on limiting its spread. But Invasive Species Council policy director Dr Carol Booth said it was tragic news with 15 native tree species in WA identified as 'highly or very highly susceptible' to the shot-hole borer. These included iconic species like paperbarks, banksias and eucalypts. Loading 'Another 23 species are moderately susceptible, and that's just in WA. It implies hundreds of native species across the country could be at risk if the borer spreads,' Booth said. 'We are also gravely concerned about the loss of urban trees, which provide vital habitat, shade, beauty and health benefits in our cities and towns. The environmental and social toll could be immense. 'Now that eradication is off the table, the priority must be stopping the borer from spreading beyond the Perth region.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plea to Aussies as common garden plant explodes in major city: 'Becoming a problem'
Aussies have been urged to inspect their own backyards as an escaped garden plant continues to wreak havoc in a major city. Spanish Moss, a hanging plant that thrives in warm, humid environments, is exploding in Sydney after months of heavy rainfall, prompting a warning to residents from local councils and landcare groups. The ornamental, which is native to tropical and subtropical America, is a common addition for those with a green thumb, but there are concerns gardeners are unaware of just how quickly it can spread and overwhelm larger trees. 'Bush regenerators are raising the alarm as Spanish moss spreads more widely,' Dr Carol Booth, the Invasive Species Council's policy director, told Yahoo News. 'It's an epiphyte — a plant that grows on other plants — and it can infest dozens of native tree species. We've seen turpentines, brush boxes, lilly pillies and cheese trees all severely impacted. It can grow thickly, smothering trees, blocking sunlight, breaking branches and sometimes killing the host by preventing photosynthesis.' Recently, Willoughby City Council in the city's lower north shore urged residents to keep an eye out for the plant, noting it is 'becoming a problem'. 'Please remove it if you can, don't purchase or share the plant. Help protect our trees!' it said online. Nearby Lane Cove Council has issued a similar warning stating Spanish Moss 'is becoming increasingly common in the Sydney region' and 'threatens the local critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and Blue Gum High Forest communities'. 'If you have Spanish Moss growing in your garden, it is recommended that you remove it and dispose of it in your green waste,' the council said. The plant is increasingly being recognised as an environmental weed — particularly in the Sydney region — but it's not currently declared under any laws, Dr Booth said. It has established in the wild in parts of Queensland and NSW, including the Lismore area and Lord Howe Island. 'It spreads readily through fluffy wind-borne seeds or fragments carried by birds, wind or human movement. That makes it particularly hard to contain once it's in the landscape,' Dr Booth told Yahoo. 'Despite the risks, it remains a popular ornamental plant that can be legally sold across the country.' And it's far from the only one, with experts sounding the alarm over another nasty weed — gazania — earlier this month. Despite the South African native flower emerging as a serious invasive threat to native grasslands and grain-growing regions, it's still being sold at nurseries. Escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds in Australia, with a whopping three-quarters of all environmental weeds starting out as ornamentals. This has prompted the Invasive Species Council to campaign for stricter regulations on the nursery industry to stop the selling and spreading of such plants, which contribute to over $5 billion in losses each year. 'More than 30,000 plant species have been imported into Australia for gardening, but fewer than a quarter have been assessed nationally for their weed risk,' Dr Booth said. 'Some of our worst invasives — like lantana and blackberry — were once common garden plants. 'Unless governments act, we'll keep selling the next potentially disastrous plant, putting our bushland and protected areas at risk.' 🌼 Imported flower escalating $5 billion threat in Australia 🌳 Woman's 'incredible' 500-year-old discovery hidden behind invasive weed 🌸 Desperate plea over invasive plant threatening 'beauty' of Australia Anyone who finds Spanish moss in their garden is encouraged to remove it, even if they don't live near bushland. 'It can be removed by hand, though this can be difficult on tall trees,' Dr Booth said. 'Herbicides may also work, but there's a risk they could harm the tree it's growing on — so mechanical removal is the safer option where possible.' Residents who are unable to extract the plant themselves can contact their local council for advice. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Toxic invasive species found hidden in plain sight beside busy Aussie road
Every day, more than 22,000 cars speed past it without a second glance. But just inches from the traffic on a busy Western Sydney street, a fast-spreading 'jumbo weed' is silently smothering native Australian plants. On a median strip at a busy intersection at Hoxton Park, poisonous moth vines have started creeping between shrubs and grasses, and snaking their way up trees. While they may not look particularly threatening to passersby, the plants have toxic sap, leaves and seeds that can be harmful to people and wildlife. Despite the busy location next to Fifteenth Avenue and Cowpasture Road, it's common for weeds to go unnoticed, Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council told Yahoo News. 'Weeds often grow unnoticed in prominent places. Understandably, many Aussies don't know a weed from a native,' she said. 'Australia has about 23,000 native plant species and more than 3,000 introduced species growing in the wild. That's why it's important that Australia's governments stop allowing the sale of weedy garden plants rather than relying on people to work out for themselves what is safe to plant.' Moth vines produce pods which each carry up to 500 seeds that can remain viable for up to five years. The fruits split open while still attached to the vine and release the seeds, which have a tuft of silky hairs that allow them to spread quickly by wind, water or animal movement. The rapidly-growing weed can grow in the shade, making it easy to weasel its way into forests, orchards and garden beds. Dr Booth said if a resident spots a moth vine growing in their backyard, they can control it with herbicides. 'Young plants can be removed by hand,' she said, adding a reminder to take care to avoid contact with the sap. A Liverpool Council spokesperson said the area where the moth vine was found was actually NSW Government land, but they still encourage residents to report noxious weeds. 'The report will be logged and sent to our maintenance crews for evaluation and action if needed. If like this weed it is not on council maintained land, we will report it to the relevant agency or property owner,' they said. 'Caution is recommended when dealing with moth vine. The plant produces sticky seed pods that can trap and kill small birds and insects. Its milky sap is toxic, causing skin irritation and allergic reactions in humans, and can be harmful to pets. 'If you find moth vine, do not ignore it—report it to your local council or biosecurity authority. If you decide to pull it out, wear gloves and protective eyewear. Make sure the entire root system is pulled out. Dispose it in a sealed bag and never compost it because it regrows and spreads further.' The weeds are currently being treated as a biosecurity issue in some parts of Australia, including Canberra. And in the NSW Riverina region, citrus growers have reported their trees being overtaken by moth vines, leading Griffith City Council to issue a warning for farmers to remain vigilant. Yahoo News has reached out to TfNSW for comment. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie fishers target invasive species for $2000 prize pool, but experts have concerns: 'Only takes one idiot'
Fishermen in one Aussie state are being given the chance to win a share of $2000 for targeting one of the nation's most destructive invasive species, but experts are warning it only takes one 'idiot' to make the situation a whole lot worse. Earlier this month Central Coast Council launched a fishing competition promoting participants to target carp in local waterways. The species compete with native fish for food and habitat, and stir up sediment when they feed. This deteriorates water quality, causes less light to filter through and reduces oxygen levels, leading to the decline of aquatic plants and habitats. Carp can also contribute to algal blooms that can be harmful to humans and animals. Their destructive behaviour is heightened due to their large numbers. Females can lay up to one million eggs a year, making it difficult to eradicate the species. In some waterways, like the Murray Darling Basin, carp now make up 80 to 90 per cent of the fish population. Three weeks into the Carp to Croc competition, hundreds of carp have been caught and registered by local fishers vying for a prize. The council says the catch can either be cooked at home or donated to the Australian Reptile Farm to be used as food for their crocodiles and alligators. While the competition is helping to make a small dent in local carp populations, a Central Coast Council spokesperson told Yahoo News the aim of the event is to 'generate awareness' of the detrimental impact carp can have on local waterways. "The Carp to Croc Muster is a fun way to get the community, particularly keen anglers, involved as well as educate the broader community," the spokesperson said. "To date 263 carp catches have been registered during the Muster period, and around 80 have been frozen ready for the Reptile Park." Carp fishing competitions take place all over Australia, including the popular Lake Keepit Carp Frenzy and the Goondiwindi Classic. Just last month the SA Carp Frenzy helped to remove 4 tonnes of fish from Lake Bonney. While education is always a good thing, Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council believes recreational fishing is generally 'not an effecting method of carp control'. She warns that suggesting carp as a food source could potentially have the opposite effect. 'We don't want to be spoil sports and donating fish to feed crocodiles sounds like a good thing. But we have concerns about promoting carp as a human meal,' Dr Booth said. 'Invasive fish are commonly spread into new waterways by people wanting a new fishing or dining opportunity. It only takes one or two such idiots to lead to a new carp-invaded river. 'It's for that reason that the Queensland Government is wise to ban the eating of noxious fish like carp and tilapia. Those caught must be destroyed.' Dr Booth said the Australian Government is investigating the feasibility of releasing a biocontrol agent – Cyprinid herpesvirus 3. The virus is naturally occurring and fatal to carp and is not known to harm other fish species. If successful, it is estimated the biocontrol agent could reduce carp numbers by up to 80 per cent. Carp are found in every state and territory in Australia except for the Northern Territory. In Queensland, it is not permitted to eat carp. For more information about the Carp to Croc fishing competition, or to register, click here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Garden warning as poisonous invasive species spreads: 'Literally a big problem'
Property owners are being urged to contact authorities if they find a toxic plant described as a "jumbo weed", with gardeners reminded to be on the look out for Moth Vines – and even report a neighbour if they spot them growing over the fence. Residents in Canberra and surrounding areas are the latest to be warned to keep their eyes peeled for the noxious vine, which spreads quickly and produces leaves and seeds that are poisonous. "Moth Vines are literally a big problem," the ACT's Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate told property owners online this week. "Native to South America, these jumbo weeds can grow up to 10m in length and spread easily through air and water. They contain a sap that's poisonous to humans, and if left uncontained, their long tendrils will suffocate native plants." The department said residents should report sightings of the invasive plant to its biosecurity team, saying people were even able to report their neighbours and that authorities "will attend private properties" for subsequent inspections. Speaking to Yahoo News, Dr Carol Booth, Policy Director at the Invasive Species Council of Australia explained the plant was actually introduced a long time ago as a garden plant. The vine is also sometimes known cruel vine or moth catcher and derives its name from the fact its flowers attract and occasionally trap moths and butterflies with a sucking organ known as a proboscis. "But this is accidental, for the moth vine is not carnivorous," Dr Booth said. Areas with expansive bushland like the ACT are particularly fertile grounds for the invader. "This quick-growing vine invades bushland and can smother shrubs and small trees," Dr Booth told Yahoo said. "The sap, leaves and seeds are poisonous to people and wildlife. The caustic sap can cause skin and eye irritation and occasionally breathing difficulties." According to NSW Department of Primary Industries, there are records of poultry, cattle and horses being poisoned by the plant but it is not very common. "Symptoms include: poor balance, staggering, vomiting and abdominal pain," DPI says on its website. "Animals can recover but moth vine can also result in death." The vine produces a large green fruit that one Aussie mum has previously mistaken for an innocuous 'choko', also known as chayote or alligator pear, which is green vegetable similar to zucchini and can be eaten raw. Fears for 'precious' plant found in only one place in Australia Woman's 'incredible' 500-year-old discovery hidden behind invasive weed Warning not to touch invasive weed 'growing everywhere' in Aussie suburb The plant exudes a smelly, milky latex and residents should use gloves when pulling out the vine and cut roots at least 10cm below the ground. Moth Vine has become established in all states and territories in Australia except the Northern Territory. The Queensland government also warns on its onilne information page for the species that "everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control."
