Shire of Ravensthorpe partners with CSIRO to combat invasive weed

The Shire of Ravensthorpe has partnered with the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, to suppress the spread of African boxthorn.

African boxthorn is an invasive, drought-tolerant weed which grows in dense, thorny thickets.

The weed displaces native vegetation and degrades wildlife habitats, and is difficult to manage or remove because of the rate its seeds spread and the resilience of its root systems.

About two-thirds of Ravensthorpe is covered by natural, undisturbed bushland, and shire president Rachel Gibson said there were multiple areas where African boxthorn had become commonplace.

Cr Gibson said the partnership with the CSIRO would help the shire achieve long-term suppression and management of the invasive weed on selected areas of shire-managed land.

“This partnership gives the shire access to specialist scientific and conservation expertise and provides us with another tool to support our existing weed control program,” she said.

This “other tool” is a rust fungus native to South Africa which naturally infects African boxthorn.

The fungus contaminates young boxthorn leaves, eventually causing leaf dieback and reducing the weed’s ability to photosynthesise, grow, and produce fruit.

After extensive research, the CSIRO has announced the fungus “poses no danger” to native species and is highly specific to African boxthorn.

Although the rust fungus will not immediately eradicate the weed, it is designed to act as a long-term suppression tool.

“The rust release will not provide an overnight solution, but it has the potential to weaken boxthorn infestations over time, reduce further spread, and make ongoing control more effective and sustainable,” Cr Gibson said.

The CSIRO’s principal research scientist for weed management Dr Ben Gooden said he believed a lasting impact of the organisation’s weed control effort was only possible through strong partnerships with local governments and other community stakeholders.

“We are delighted to partner with the shire of Ravensthorpe to bring this new technology into the field. Together, we can expand the weed control toolbox and work towards reducing the long-term environmental and economic impacts of African boxthorn,” Dr Gooden said.