VBT PROGRESS REPORT 2023
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2022-2023
The main objective of the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce (VBT) is to oversee implementation of the Victorian Blackberry Strategy (VBS), with the key goal to reduce the growth and spread of blackberry across Victoria. The emphasis is on education, advocacy and providing accessible information and support for public and private land managers to control blackberry.
The key to achieving this objective is by supporting all land managers to implement control programs on their properties. By providing quality information in various formats, we try to make sure the everyone has the tools to decide which control methods are the most suitable for their situation
Resources to make these decisions are available through the diverse education and information material available on the VBT website to enable all land managers who wish to undertake control measures to do so using best practice blackberry management tailored to individual needs.
Individual communities concerned about local blackberry infestations encourage landholders to address their blackberry in their own interest and that of the broader local community. Restricting spread of seed and seedlings and reducing plant biomass protects productivity and biodiversity once a few landholders act to manage their blackberry. This action can prompt others to start and gradually a reduction of blackberry on a landscape scale is evident.
The VBT has a focus on upgrading online resources to support communities and individuals to decide the best options for treatment of blackberries on their properties. Facebook posts, case studies, Community Service Announcements, television campaigns, demonstration days and maintaining a service of timely responses to emails and phone enquiries has enabled us to stay in touch with our community and assist with their blackberry control queries. New technology, organic treatments, physical control methods and traditional herbicide treatments are showcased at demonstration sessions held across Victoria.
It is valuable for landholders to be able to see in person the different control methods in addition to seeing them online. The theme of ‘blackberry control is everyone’s responsibility’ generated a large increase in visits to the VBT website and phone and email requests for information. Analysis of the requests and web use provide an insight into the information that people are seeking and the best ways to provide it.
The VBT welcomes all enquiries about blackberry-related issues. An email will be responded to promptly or please visit our website to browse the extensive resources.
I would like to thank Agriculture Victoria for funding support for the VBT. I also thank our partnership groups, communities, and public land managers for their contribution of knowledge and experience in implementing the VBS.
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