AGR2015001 Skeleton Weed Program - Compliance Searching

The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), Skeleton Weed Program requires the provision of searching services for Skeleton Weed as remedial action taken under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 and Regulations2013 in both Central and Northern agricultural regions during February and March.

Skeleton Weed (Chondrilla juncea) is a declared pest category C1 and C2 (exclusion and eradication) throughout Western Australia (WA), except in the shires of Yilgarn and Narembeen, where it is declared as category C3 (management). Skeleton Weed drastically reduces cereal yields by competing for water and nutrients, and its wiry stems impede harvesting. Seed and regeneration from root fragments disturbed by cultivation have results in the spread of Skeleton Weed in recent years. Skeleton Weed infestations have been detected in the Wheatbelt, on grazing properties, and in semi-rural and metropolitan areas.

The main focus of the Skeleton Weed Program is searching crop stubbles, post-harvest, for the presence of Skeleton Weed. Landholders/managers are required to mark each Skeleton Weed patch (including a 20 metre buffer) found during the search with steel pickets or empty chemical drums – this pegged area is referred to as an "infested square". The infested squares are sprayed in winter, after the break of season, with Tordon herbicide to kill the Skeleton Weed.

Managers of infested properties are required to control Skeleton Weed under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007. Under the controlprotocols, searching for infestationsis required over summer – (to locate and treat plants before seed set). Infested cropping paddocks need to be searched as soon as possible post harvesting.

Authorised departmental staff conduct audits during January and February to confirm that infestations have been identified. Where there is no evidence of searching, the property owner/manager will be issued a Notice directing them to do so. Failure to comply with this notice results in DAFWA taking remedial action and seeking reimbursement for all costs from the landholder under Regulation 133. This tender is for the "compliance" searching for Skeleton Weed on behalf of DAFWA, as and when required.