Ecological restoration in Anstead Bushland Reserve

This project, funded by a Lord Mayor’s Environment Grant from 31 May 2024 to 31 May 2025, sought to reduce weed infestation in a high-visibility area of Anstead Bushland Reserve (ABR) and to disseminate knowledge to the local community on local native flora and the invasive weed species that threaten them. The area of ABR selected for weed reduction was located along the main track from the picnic area to the lookout. Oxley Creek Catchment Association was contracted to provide integrated weed management through four visits over the course of the project. The main weeds targeted were Lantana camara and Asparagus africanus, with others including Passiflora suberosa, Celtis cinensis, Senna pendula var. glabrata, Ochna serrulate and Urochloa decumbens. The first two visits took place on 27 August and 3 September 2024, with the focus primarily on removal of Lantana camara and severing the stems of Asparagus africanus vines.
Left: Lantana camara before removal, 27/08/2024, Right: After removal, 27/08/2024
Follow up visits in 2025 took place on 2 and 23 April. The wet summer had encouraged considerable weed growth as well as stimulating some native regeneration. The vigorous weed regrowth was reduced significantly in these sessions, which focused on remaining lantana and asparagus vine along with a wide variety of other weeds (particularly Ochna serrulate).
Left: Weed coverage before removal, 23/04/2025, Right: After removal, 23/04/2025
Identifying weeds and natives, War on Weeds workshop, Anstead Bushland Reserve, 10/05/2025

The staged approach delivered significant gains within the one-year period of the grant. Removal of thick lantana coverage as a first stage gave ground covers the space to expand, while freeing trees of climbing asparagus and other weed vines was important to enable healthy growth over the long term. Second stage follow ups proved essential given the weed regrowth over summer: the return visits allowed for regrowth to be checked as well as removal of some of the smaller weeds. Ongoing maintenance will nevertheless be required, particularly as regenerating smaller weeds come into flower and seed.

Dissemination of knowledge to the local community on local native flora and the invasive weed species that threaten them was achieved primarily through an educational workshop, War on Weeds, hosted by Pullen Pullen Catchments Group in ABR on 10 May 2025. Attendees engaged in weed identification games, walked to and inspected the Lord Mayor’s Environment grant project site and enjoyed informative discussion and refreshments. A free booklet on common weeds was provided to participants as a resource to assist them with weed control at home.

Overall the project was successful in increasing aesthetic amenity for users of the Reserve through weed reduction in a high-visibility area and contributing to the enhancement of ecosystems by increasing the capacity for regeneration of native flora and improving habitat for wildlife. It was also successful in engaging community members in learning more about local weeds and how they might be controlled on their own properties as well as in public spaces such as ABR. Pullen Pullen Catchments Group volunteers are continuing to monitor the site and will be undertaking follow-up weeding during their regular bushcare sessions. We welcome new volunteers to help us in this and other bushcare activities! Check out our Events Calendar for details.