Workshop on the threat of Rubberbush infestation on the Barkly Tablelands

Summary

The purpose of the meeting held at Helen Springs was to provide a forum that would allow the exchange of information between stakeholder groups in the Barkly region in relation to the perceived threat of rubber bush infestation in the pastoral lands. The group also sought to connect with weed and pasture ecology experts to establish the best way to approach future research into rubber bush. The meeting was attended by local pastoralists and departmental (DPIFM and DNRETA) staff, departmental staff from other regions and CSIRO officers as well as interstate experts. The Natural Resource Management Board of the Northern Territory was also represented. At the conclusion of the meeting the group had decided that rubber bush could not be controlled in the Barkly region until certain unknown issues had been qualified. A steering committee and an advisory committee have been established to facilitate the process of designing research and monitoring projects.