At their February meeting, Maldon Garden Club members enjoyed an insightful presentation by Lee Mead and Judy Hopley. I (Helen Evans) was tasked with preparing a report for the Garden Club’s Newsletter and we thought that other Cactus Warriors might like to read about this aspect of the work Tarrangower Cactus Control Group undertakes to inform, encourage and motivate community members to help in the control of Wheel Cactus.
Both Lee and Judy are involved in conservation efforts in and around our beautiful Maldon, with Lee serving as President of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group (TCCG) and both being Cactus Warriors and Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve (MHR).
Judy, speaking as a Friend of MHR, highlighted several invasive weeds threatening our local environment, including St John’s Wort, South African Weed Orchid, Cape Broom, Boneseed, Gazania, and Cape Tulip. She emphasised how these weeds, mostly garden escapees, reduce food and habitat for native flora and fauna. All these have been covered in the Weed Watch series that Judy and other members of the Friends of MHR regularly writes for the TT.
Lee provided insight into Wheel Cactus, clarifying that while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Cacti are a subgroup of Succulents; all are introduced and potentially dangerous weeds. Some succulents, including native varieties, are suitable for drought-tolerant gardens.
Wheel Cactus is a major problem between Maldon and Baringhup, with core infestations at Pigeon Hill and overlooking Cairn Curran. A lack of control by some landholders exacerbates the issue, impacting their neighbours and forcing the shire to allocate funds for roadside infestations. We were shown photos of severe Wheel Cactus infestations on local properties and Lee mentioned that such sites were not always visible from the road. Lee also described the vital role TCCG plays in educating and assisting locals and landholders.
Most weeds infesting our region, and Australia-wide, were introduced from other countries as ornamental garden plants. Wheel Cactus, for instance, was imported from Mexico and planted in a garden on Waterson’s Road in the mid-1900s. We can help as gardeners by learning to identify and safely remove invasive species from our own properties and tackling small infestations in public spaces when we are out walking.
Despite legal requirements for landholders to control noxious weeds, funding for enforcement and management remains woefully inadequate, hence it is all the more important that community members are aware and help. As Deanna Buck suggested, writing to elected representatives to advocate for increased funding could make a difference.
Another way for us gardeners to make a difference is to join with Friends of MHR and TCCG to support ongoing efforts in weed control and conservation.
Judy and Lee provided these websites and contact details.
Further information can be found on these websites
Friends of MHR -: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567374458237
TCCG -: https://cactuswarriors.org/
Agriculture Victoria weed list -: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/
‘Weed Futures’ web-based tool -: https://www.weedfutures.net/
Connecting Country brochure ‘Fact Sheet Weed Control’ -: https://connectingcountry.org.au/
Reporting infestations
In Maldon Historic Reserve email Parks Victoria at info@parks.vic.gov.au
Along roadsides email Mount Alexander Shire Council at info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
