While many diverse plants grow on the Sunshine Coast, there is a wave of invaders hidden amongst the local flora and fauna.
These types of plants are foreign to the area, causing them to quickly spread out of control due to the lack of pathogens and predators normally present in their native habitats. But measures are being taken by a variety of individuals and groups to fight the spread of these unwanted plants on the Coast.
Broom Busters is a group of local residents dedicated to clearing Scotch broom, a highly invasive perennial that has rapidly spread.
Broom Busters recently held a broom busting blitz along Redrooffs Road in Halfmoon Bay. Group member Mary Beth Knechtel said the three-day blitz saw group members physically remove Scotch broom.
"We had about three or four trucks taking loads of broom to the green waste at the dump. That apparently amounted to about a tonne," Knechtel said. "Really, what we hope is to cut down on plants that are going to reproduce, and we hope to inspire residents along Redrooffs to clean up in their own backyard."
Community group events are only one part of the initiative to fight invasive plant species. Melissa Noel, co-ordinator for the Coastal invasive plant committee (CIPC), said various methods are being used to control invasive species, by both local groups and government, including mechanical and manual control and the often controversial method of chemical control, such as herbicide use.
"Herbicide is a tool that sometimes does get used. That is something that is a last resort for invasive plants that aren't responding well to other methods of control," Noel said.
Jeff Hallworth, invasive plant specialist with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, said that when chemical treatments are used, well-trained individuals administer them under the province's Pest Management Plan, an integrated and co-ordinated approach to invasive plant management.
"Initial application methods such as stem-injection, wick-on, cut and paint or cut and inject are favoured in order to minimize opportunity for herbicides to become airborne," he said. "All treatments are completed in accordance with the standards outlined in the Pest Management Plan, including protective equipment for applicators, signage for the public and setbacks for treatments near water and agro-food systems."
At a recent Sunshine Coast Regional District meeting, Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar expressed concern over the plan to use herbicides to control Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant affecting the Coast. Although the plant stems will be injected rather than sprayed, Shugar said she is still not convinced that even that is without harm to the environment.
According to CIPC, invasive species have been identified as the most significant threat to biodiversity, and second to habitat loss.
