Rains are slowly bringing some relief and with it comes weed and grass growth. Our team has already commenced spraying weeds, in particular targeting Gamba grass whilst in its juvenile stage. Areas currently being sprayed include road verge locations that are registered Gamba grass infestations and including those that exist along firebreaks.
Attached is a map with areas circled, each area takes approximately 2 weeks, weather depending.
From the 1st of December spraying will commence in area 1 & 6 followed by areas 2, 3, 4 & 5 targeting road furniture and large patches of Gamba grass using Glyphosate. A follow up round of spraying will be carried out using a selective herbicide around our drains and culverts. Spraying will continue through all areas at least 2 weeks in front of the tractors and mowers.
Slashing and mowing will commence on the 14th December starting in area 6 and 1 respectively which will take us into the New Year.
Early in January the mowers will work their way through areas 2 & 3 and the tractors working in from area 5 and 4 meeting up with mowers in area 3. As stated each area takes approximately 2 weeks with an expected 12 weeks per round, completion of round one estimated to be at the end of March.
Round two will begin in April following the same format expecting to finish at the end of June.
Each round is an estimate that it will involve slashing 1500km of roadside verge and approximately an extra 1000 km of firebreaks and unmade road reserves.