The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it. Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2014 Table of contents
4 Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for cotton bush spread pathways. Pathway or vector Risk score Risk rating Risk outcome Mitigation strategy 1 Natural spread by animals, wind and water 5 4 20 Extreme Extreme probability because cotton bush is adapted for wind spread as the primary means of seed dispersal. Most fall within 20m of the parent plants, but some can be carried many kilometres by strong wind, and by water movement. Treat cotton bush before flowering to kill parent plants and prevent seed production. 2 Machinery, vehicles and equipment 3 4 12 High Cotton bush be moved on agricultural equipment if contaminated by seed-bearing soil and parts of cotton bush plants. Inspect reports from the public. Use communications to urge landholders to practice biosecurity if in where cotton bush is seeding. ability
3 Coarse grains and fodder trade/transport 2 3 6 Moderate Cotton bush plants that produce seed are large and highly visible. Any cotton bush that is present in a crop or pasture paddock would be killed during harvest. Inspect reports from the public as required. Public to practice biosecurity if in areas where cotton bush is seeding. 4 Agricultural produce (including hay) 2 3 6 Moderate Cotton bush could be moved in agricultural produce. Any cotton bush that is present in a crop or pasture paddock be killed during harvest. Inspect reports from the public as required. Using communications plan, urge landholders to practice on-farm biosecurity if in areas where cotton bush is seeding.
5 Construction materials 1 3 3 Low Low probability because movement of seeds in construction materials is likely to result in plant death during the processing phase of construction. Inspect reports from the public. Encourage public and building industry to practice biosecurity if in areas where cotton bush is seeding. 6 Livestock movement 1 3 3 Low Low probability, because the of cotton bush lack structures that attach them to livestock. The plant is not grazed so ingestion of seeds is not a pathway. Inspect reports from the public. Urge landholders and livestock carriers to practice on-farm biosecurity if in areas where cotton bush is seeding. 7 Escapes from cultivation 1 3 3 Low Low probability because the weed is seldom cultivated, but is already widely naturalised across the landscape. No actions required.
8 Waste disposal 1 3 3 Low Low probability provided known sites are inspected and treated regularly. Conduct regular inspections and kill all seedlings before seeds are produced. 9 Human apparel and associated equipment 1 3 3 Low Low probability of movement on this pathway because the seeds of cotton bush lack attachment structures. Inspect reports from the public. Encourage public to practice biosecurity if in areas where cotton bush is seeding. 10 Nursery industry 1 3 3 Low Low probability of introduction because cotton bush is seldom cultivated, and is not part of the nursery trade. Nurseries to be inspected by DAFWA to check for the sale of cotton bush and other declared species.
Table 5 Stakeholder analysis table. Stakeholder Power / interest (High or Low) Problems / challenges they face Key interests / benefits they expect (direct and indirect benefits) Potential contributions they can make Current status Linkages between stakeholders DAFWA High Limited number of staff in region, with competing priorities Management of this species would demonstrate DAFWA’s to guide the management of a species of community concern. Staff would gain experience in weed management. Positive media image of DAFWA. Management, treatment, advice, monitoring and evaluation. Advocate DAFWA’s role is to assist community groups to develop operational plans for cotton bush management. Undertake and compliance activities upon negotiation and discussion with the community. Landholders High Cotton bush is impacting upon agricultural, environmental and community values. Reduced weed burden on property. Management of C3 species. Weed control and management. Community group formation. Reporting and monitoring. Advocate Legislative responsibility to control pest species and partner in community weed management groups.
NRM agencies High May assist with the development of community groups and may have an active role in group development Development of community groups to manage pest species with a high level of community involvement in decision making Can assist with expertise in community development, training and governance Advocate / Neutral Depends on the group, some are highly active and engaged and others are watching developments with interest. Local Government High May assist with the development of community groups and may have an active role in group development Development of community groups to manage pest species with a high of community involvement in decision making Can assist with expertise in community group development, training and governance Advocate / Neutral Depends on the group, some are highly active and engaged and others are watching developments with interest.
Table 22 Southern Agricultural Region. Shires Properties Infestation size 0ha <1ha 2-5ha 5-10 ha >10ha Albany 2 100% – – – – Broomehill-Tambellup 1* – – – – – Dumbleyung 1 – 100% – – – Esperance 16 37% 44% 19% – – Jerramungup 1 100% – – – – Kent 1 – 100% – – – Kojonup 1 – – – – 100% Plantagenet 11 100%*** – – – – Ravensthorpe 1**** – – – – – West Arthur 1 – 100% – – – Total 36(30)***** 16/30 10/30 3/30 0/30 1/30 Percentage – 53.3% 33.3% 10% – 3.4% * The Broomhill-Tambalup infestation is not mapped ** The Kojanup infestation is 200ha *** In Plantagenet, seven of the 11 infestations are mapped **** The Ravensthorpe infestation is not mapped ***** Total of 30 infestations are mapped Figure 7 Map of the Southern Agricultural Region (SAR).