Invasion by introduced plants is one of the more serious long-term threats to the integrity of Meelup Regional Park's native vegetation.

Environmental weeds negatively impact on areas of native vegetation by competing for space, water, nutrients and changing the structure and composition of vegetation communities which reduces habitat values for native fauna. Weeds can also increase the fire fuel load and fire risk. 91 weed species have been recorded with the Meelup Regional Park.

Weeds originate from interstate, intrastate or overseas and may or may not be declared under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. The declaration imposes an obligation on all land owners to control declared plants on their properties. To help focus national efforts to address weed problems in Australia, a list of the most problematic weeds, Weeds of National Significance (WONS) was compiled.

Within Meelup Regional Park weeds are primarily concentrated along access tracks, boundaries with neighbouring properties, around highly visited sites or in disturbed areas. Invasion by introduced plants is one of the more serious long-term threats to the integrity of the park's native vegetation.

The most recent weed control survey conducted by Natural Area Consulting Management Services (2018) found the following WONS and Declared Plant species within the park:

  • Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)
  • Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
  • One leaf cape tulip (Moraea flaccida)

Woody weeds such as the Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia) are also a problem in the park and are hard to control. 

Management

An annual weed control program is undertaken in the park, with contractors engaged to undertake the work. The Meelup volunteers also spend many hours undertaking weed control works in the Park and have recently started weed surveys and mapping to assist in the control program. Weed species and weed locations are mapped each year to enable priority weed control work and to gauge the long-term success of the program. Weed management over the last two years has focussed on the following key areas:

  • Targeting spring and summer weeds and areas experiencing edge effects (such as coastal nodes,park edges, firebreaks and trails);
  • High Priority weeds including any Weeds of National Significance (WONS) and Declared Plant species; and
  • Reducing the weed density in revegetation areas in the Wildlife Corridor and Zone 6.

A major focus of the weed control program is the control of Arum Lily. Arum lilies are spread by birds and can impact areas of vegetation in good condition including the threatened ecological community Calothamnus graniticus ssp. graniticus closed heath along the coastal trail area.

caring for meelup park icon

CARING FOR MEELUP PARK

You can help preserve this special place in the following ways:


Stay on designated trails  |  Do not light fires in the park  |  Park in designated areas  |  Leave your pets at home  |  Use the bins and toilets provided  |  Do not dump garden waste  |  No Camping

GET IN TOUCH

Telephone: (08) 9781 0444
Email: city@busselton.wa.gov.au