The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate’s (EPSDD) annual spring weed swap is to be held this weekend (9 and 10 November), giving the community a chance to trade their invasive weeds for bush-friendly natives.
Announced by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman the event, now in its 18th year, is held in partnership with the Australian Native Plants Society.
“Canberra is lucky to have many great nature reserves and parks and this program helps prevent invasive species accidently leaving our yards and affecting our environment,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Invasive plants can enter bushland and compete with our native plants and force them out of their habitats,” he said.
“Small trees such as wattles, shrubs including Correa, Banksia, Grevillea, bottlebrushes and Westringia are on offer at the swap, along with groundcovers like Brachyscome – rock daisy, Dianella and Poa tussock.”
Mr Gentleman said all the plants were supplied by local growers and were very hardy and suitable for the region.
Invasive plants program leader at EPSDD, Steve Taylor said the weed swap was being held from 8.30am to 4.30pm at two green waste recycling centres – Corkhills Green Waste recycling Centre at Mugga Lane and CSG Green Waste Recycling Centre on Parkwood Road Belconnen.
“Established gardens have older style plants, many we now know are invasive, such as privet, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha (firethorn) and hawthorn.”
“Other garden plants known to be invasive and escape into our reserves include bridal creeper, Nandina (sacred bamboo), fountain grass, ox-eye daisy and Spanish heath,” Mr Taylor said.
