Earlier this month, a large rural Willowmavin property changed hands after being with the same family for generations, and the new owners have inherited a noxious weed.
The property, around 840 acres, is situated between Macedon Ranges Shire and Mitchell Shire and abuts the Goldie Nature Conservation Reserve. Since the 1860s, the land has been cleared and used for various agricultural purposes, including sheep grazing.
Neighbouring property owners Frank Hajdu and Leanne Cassar saw the property for sale and quickly lodged an expression of interest. They were one of 12 potential buyers at the start of the sale, and later, one of four when they had reached their budget.
Thankfully, a third party made contact and asked if they would be open to co-purchasing the property. So, with Mr Hajdu working in Melbourne, Ms Cassar instigated a conference call with the mysterious bidder—Robert Sloan. Almost immediately, they realised they shared a common vision for native flora and fauna preservation, and most importantly, a desire to expand native habitat environments.
Viewing satellite imagery from Google Maps, it is interesting to see the contrast between neighbouring properties who are creating habitats for wildlife, and those who are not.
On a wing and a prayer, the three agreed to pool their funds and purchase the property together. Two days later, they were the new official owners, and the day after that they met to view the area.
Unfortunately, the South African Weed Orchid (Disa bracteata) had taken hold of the land, and using herbicides to eradicate the weed was no longer an option at such a late stage of the plant’s growth cycle.
The short yet spiky weed will usually grow to 50cm tall, and during spring approximately 60 flowers per plant produce dust-like seeds. The seeds are easily and widely dispersed by wind, rain, and anything that brushes up against it. Meanwhile, underground, the weed is also reproducing vegetatively.
There are two major outbreaks on the property, and while the owners are hopeful that patches of bracken on the property will eventually link up and crowd out the weeds, in the meantime, they have to dig the weed out by hand.
Mr Hajdu said the weed will take years to eradicate and called on local Landcare communities to help.
“It’s everyone’s problem,” he said.
“If we don’t control it and our neighbours down the road don’t, it will end up all over Mitchell Shire.”
The South African Weed Orchid is already classified as an emerging threat to Nillumbik Shire native wildflower populations, and council have released a YouTube video to share information.
To learn more, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3v4vCP1vL8.
To help remove the South African Weed Orchid, call Frank Hajdu on 0415 880 244.
