current and past Projects

Landcare Weed Control Field Officers have extensive experience in treating and controlling aquatic weeds in the Wungong River, several tributaries of both the Swan and Canning Rivers, and engineered drains and wetlands across Perth. 

• Amazon frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) smothers native flora and reduces dissolved oxygen levels, potentially leading to fish kills. Treated in various basins within the City of Swan, City of Wanneroo and in  Gingin Brook.

• Kidney leaf mud plantain (Heteranthera reniformis) in the Wungong River (pictured above)

• Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) in basins and waterways within the City of Swan

• Sagittaria platyphylla in basins and waterways within the City of Swan and City of Armadale

• Water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) in basins and waterways within the City of Swan

• Ludwigia repens in Perth Airport main drain

• Isolepis prolifera across many wetland areas

• Azolla species. Whilst this is not an exotic it can cover the surface of water bodies. After a fatal event within the City of Swan we removed the Azolla.

Landcare Weed Control has undertaken various Typha clearing activities for both control in waterways and wetlands and for  revegetation purposes. Clearing and treatment has been undertaken both prior to requiring a clearing permit being required and since reclassification where a Clearing Permit is now required. 

Prior to reclassification to indigenous, Typha orientalis was considered a weed so there were  extensive programs to control it along and in waterways coupled with clearing for revegetation. 

In this period Landcare Weed Control was involved in both clearing of drainage waterways and basins, plus for revegetation purposes (see picture before and after at Lake Joondalup edge in Wanneroo).

Since reclassification occurred we have cleared a second section at Lake Joondalup. One of the issues was that the clearing permit took so long that the Typha grew outside the  clearing zone in the 

 Landcare Weed Control has undertaken works for the past nine years in prescription burn, arson and wildfire sites for the City of Wanneroo and for the City of Armadale since 2024. In this time, we have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge, knowledge of the way in which plants behave within the sites post fire, volumes of weeds and best and most efficient treatment methods. 

         
The primary purpose of the post fire weed control in the conservation reserves is to restore conservation value to the sites. From experience, the majority of sites have had minimal weed control prior to planned or unplanned ignitions and what we have seen from experience is that in smaller sites in close proximity to suburbia vast quantities of weeds germinate, generally prior to the First Plants. In larger reserves we generally see the majority of weeds within the edges of the sites. Occasionally where a specific weed was prevalent prior to the burn we see mass germination of that weed. Examples of this were Carpobrotus edulis across Wanneroo Quarry site following the prescribed burn, Euphorbia terracina at Bernard Park on the eastern side after a prescribed burn and bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) after an arson fire at Kahana Park in Butler.

 Landcare Weed Control has been undertaking riparian weed management and targeted removal of Arundo for the City of Armadale in partnership with the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group since 2020. 

These works have primarily been carried out across sites within the Wungong catchment and surrounding riparian reserves.

Arundo donax (commonly known as giant reed) is a highly invasive perennial grass that forms dense stands along waterways and wetlands. It spreads rapidly through rhizomes and fragments of stem, allowing it to quickly dominate riparian environments. Once established, Arundo outcompetes native vegetation, reduces habitat diversity and can significantly alter water flow and ecological function within waterways.

The aim of our work is to control and remove Arundo infestations while protecting surrounding native vegetation and restoring ecological function within riparian systems. Effective management of this species requires a targeted and staged approach, as the plant is highly resilient and capable of regenerating from underground rhizomes if not treated correctly.

Our team undertakes detailed site assessments before implementing control measures, selecting the most appropriate treatment methods for each location. Control techniques include careful hand removal around sensitive native vegetation, brush cutting of dense stands, and the application of selective and non-selective herbicides. Herbicides are applied using a range of methods including handheld and vehicle-mounted spray equipment, backpack spraying, wiping techniques and targeted stem treatments to minimise off-target impacts.

These works are often undertaken in sensitive wetland and riparian environments where precision and environmental awareness are critical. By reducing the spread and dominance of Arundo, we help create conditions that allow native riparian vegetation to recover and establish, improving habitat values and the long-term ecological health of the waterway systems.

Through consistent management and collaboration with the City and local landcare groups, these sites continue to progress toward healthier and more resilient riparian ecosystems.

Bennett Brook Reserve Wetland Rehabilitation

Landcare Weed Control has been working in partnership with the Friends of Bennett Brook Reserve since 2015 to rehabilitate wetland areas within Bennett Brook Reserve. When the project commenced, large sections of the wetland were heavily infested with blackberry, significantly reducing native biodiversity and limiting the natural function of the ecosystem.

Our team implemented a long-term weed management and restoration program to reduce the large-scale blackberry infestation and support the re-establishment of native vegetation. This work has involved ongoing seasonal weed control programs, including winter grass and geophyte management, as well as targeted summer hand weeding to prevent reinfestation while native species establish.

A combination of techniques has been used to carefully manage invasive species while protecting existing native plants. Methods include hand weeding around sensitive vegetation, selective and non-selective herbicide applications, brush cutting, and the removal of invasive trees using chainsaw operations. Herbicides are applied using a range of techniques including handheld and vehicle-mounted spray equipment, backpack spraying, wiping methods, basal barking, and drill-and-fill treatments. Watering has also been undertaken to support plant establishment.

Through consistent management and collaboration with the volunteer group, the site has transitioned from near total blackberry coverage toward a more diverse and functioning wetland ecosystem. The success of the project has led to ongoing annual works and contract extensions.