Prickly Acacia Weed Management Program

The Southern Gulf NRM region is divided into 12 prickly acacia management zones, essentially sub-catchment based except for zone 1-Lower Gulf which is a multi-catchment.  All zones were impacted to varying degrees, mostly significantly deleterious, by the high rainfall Monsoon trough event of February 2019 involving extensive flooding and sustained inundation.  These events have brought about a massive spread of prickly acacia seed and subsequent regrowth in areas under previous treatment and in new areas.  If left untreated this growth would potentially result in prickly acacia infestations on an unprecedented scale.  The program’s aim is to lessen the impact of prickly acacia on primary producers and the environment.

In the first year of the program, on-ground prickly acacia management activities were completed over 17 properties in four high priority zones.  Additional properties from other zones will be approached to participate in the program over years 2021 to 2024.

The Australian Government’s North Queensland flood recovery effort through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment