advantage of the effects of the fires. English Broom English (Cytisus scoparius) was introduced to Australia around 1800 and it has become The Department of Primary Industries’ Keith particularly virulent in parks, reserves and forests, Turnbull Research Institute developed a post-fire invading natural bush environments with little or plan to help guide future planning and no competition. On private land, broom forms management, which included mapping and thickets that reduce grazing area and dense recording infestation locations and using infestations provide cover for pest animals. The biological control agents and control seeds can also be toxic if eaten by stock. measures where appropriate. Large tracts of the Bogong and Dartmouth Units A Strategic Action Plan for the period 2004-10 of the Alpine National Park have been invaded by was developed and public awareness is being English Broom with considerable infestations also raised through signage, posters, leaflets and in State forests and on private property. information days for regular park user groups. Over the past decade, both Parks Victoria and An Adaptive Experimental Management DSE have put a lot of effort into English Broom (AEM) approach has been established for control. The focus has been on controlling it in key to measure the effectiveness of areas of high value, along watercourses, on 4WD management strategies over time. tracks and sections of the Australian Alps Walking Track, and containing it on and around private Important new partnerships have been in property. The aim has been to halt the spread and the fight against English Broom, extending the eliminate new infestations. The area around already strong working collaboration between Taylors Crossing was the target for DSE’s English Parks Victoria, DSE and DPI, and the North Broom control effort. East and East Gippsland Catchment Management Authorities. Goulburn-Murray The majority of English Broom infestations in Water and Mount Wills Mining, who have the Alpine National Park were burnt and many provided sponsorship funding for control of the mature plants were killed. However, projects, are also on board. broom regenerates prolifically after fire from The High Country Landcare Network, Friends of stores of seed in the soil, so it was important to the Mitta Mitta and private landowners have reassess the control program and take been involved with control efforts. The Recovery Story - The 2003 Alpine Fires 37
English Broom English (Cytisus scoparius) was introduced to Australia around 1800 and it has become particularly virulent in parks, reserves and forests, invading natural bush environments with little or no competition. On private land, broom forms thickets that reduce grazing area and dense infestations provide cover for pest animals. The seeds can also be toxic if eaten by stock. Large tracts of the Bogong and Dartmouth Units of the Alpine National Park have been invaded by English Broom with considerable infestations also in State forests and on private property. Over the past decade, both Parks Victoria and DSE have put a lot of effort into English Broom control. The focus has been on controlling it in areas of high value, along watercourses, on 4WD tracks and sections of the Australian Alps Walking Track, and containing it on and around private property. The aim has been to halt the spread and eliminate new infestations. The area around Taylors Crossing was the target for DSE’s English Broom control effort. The majority of English Broom infestations in the Alpine National Park were burnt and many of the mature plants were killed. However, broom regenerates prolifically after fire from stores of seed in the soil, so it was important to reassess the control program and take advantage of the effects of the fires. The Department of Primary Industries’ Keith Turnbull Research Institute developed a post-fire plan to help guide future planning and management, which included mapping and recording infestation locations and using biological control agents and control measures where appropriate. A Strategic Action Plan for the period 2004-10 was developed and public awareness is being raised through signage, posters, leaflets and information days for regular park user groups. An Adaptive Experimental Management (AEM) approach has been established for key to measure the effectiveness of management strategies over time. Important new partnerships have been in the fight against English Broom, extending the already strong working collaboration between Parks Victoria, DSE and DPI, and the North East and East Gippsland Catchment Management Authorities. Goulburn-Murray Water and Mount Wills Mining, who have provided sponsorship funding for control projects, are also on board. The High Country Landcare Network, Friends of the Mitta Mitta and private landowners have been involved with control efforts. The Recovery Story - The 2003 Alpine Fires 37
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