Project updates, COVID-19 and feedback:
As you would know by now, the VSTWP have postponed our Annual Stakeholder Forum until October 2020, to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 Virus. We will provide an update below for our stakeholders, on our recent news, achievements and communications. We also hope you can update us on how we can help you during these unprecedented times.
- Agricultural White Paper Projects: Update
The VSTWP have secured funding to deliver three projects over the current financial year, which are likely to be extended due to the Bushfires and the Corona Virus outbreak. The projects are summarised below:
- Atlas of Living Australia (ALA): Train the Trainer Workshops
Planning is underway to deliver Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) Train the Trainer Workshops across Victoria, in late 2020.
Workshops will be delivered by Peter Brenton, Manager of Applications, Atlas of Living Australia, CSIRO. Train-the-trainer sessions are intended for community facilitators who will use what they learn in these sessions to promote the use of the ALA tools in their communities and provide local training and support in their use.
These may include Landcare Facilitators, project staff, and community leaders with a strong interest in weed mapping and enabling the community to make the most from ALA and BioCollect.
- Opportunity for weed hygiene training (WEED STOP) training
Planning is underway to deliver several nationally accredited weed hygiene workshops (WeedStop) across Victoria in late 2020. This nationally accredited workshop aims to increase awareness of how weeds can be spread via contaminated vehicles or machinery and how the risk of this occurring can be minimised. This has been delayed due to the bushfires and then the Corona Virus.
Please visit our website to register your interest.
- Landowner Video Case Studies: Economic Returns Analysis
The VSTWP will deliver four video and text case studies covering four different landowner types. Each landowner will be interviewed, which will result in economic analysis on what the return on investment is for treating tussock on their property.
The video footage will be most useful for engaging with our stakeholders and the community, as will the economic data to encourage landowners to treat their tussock and save money into the future.
- Extension Projects:
The VSTWP contract three extension officers across the state, who are currently delivering targeted extension to the areas of Ballan, Monegeeta and Inverleigh.
The extension officers deliver one to one services to all landowners in target areas. Future extension will be guided by the State Government’s recommendations for best practice extension during the response to the Corona Virus. Over the past 12 months, our extension officers have delivered nearly 400 hectares of voluntary tussock treatment. We will see some changes to the delivery mode for extension during this uncertain period.
In addition to the above projects, Indigenous Design Environmental Management has been commissioned by the VSTWP to undertake extension services to target landowners within the West Gippsland region affected by Serrated Tussock. The project aims to raise awareness of this plant, promote best practice management and encourage communities to voluntarily manage the invasive species. The Gippsland extension project is around Stratford and has been funded by Round 3 from the Federal Government Agriculture White Paper.
- Communications and Engagement Updates:
We have been focussing on radio, social media and television over the recent months, and have had some great achievements:
- Radio Interview for Sunbury Radio
- Community service announcements being played on Phoenix Community Radio Central Vic, Symour Community Radio, West Gippsland Community FM, Vision Australia, 3CR Northern Suburbs FM
- Gippsland FM Commercial campaign in March 2020, 30 slots.
- Two new videos produced, one for social media, and one for the website, “who is the VSTWP”. You can find all of the videos by clicking here
- AGM Update:
The VSTWP recently completed its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bacchus Marsh and was delighted to see two new Community Representatives join the strong committee for the next term of governance. Charles Grech and Graham Hooper joined the VSTWP as Community Representatives for the areas of Darraweit Guim and Bacchus Marsh, and both have agricultural background and a good understanding of the complexities of weed management. We would like to welcome Charles and Graham with open arms and hope they can use their skillset on our project management and oversight.
The AGM gave the audience an overview of the past 12 months of achievements and updated the stakeholders on the future direction of the VSTWP and what projects will be implemented over the next 12 months.
Whilst there was a healthy commitment from the remaining committee members to stay on for another term, there was a change in the role of Chairperson at the AGM, with Lance Jennison stepping up from Vice-Chair and John Burgess stepping down from Chairperson to Vice-Chair. We would like to thank John Burgess for his massive commitment over the past decade, where he has been Chairperson for many of the years and has lead with honor and dignity. John has been an important voice for the VSTWP and has battled tirelessly in obtaining more exposure and funding for important projects. We welcome the very capable Lance Jennison to the role of Chairperson and will ensure his journey is one that is supported and well remembered.
- How can we help you?
Please let us know how the VSTWP can help you over the next 6 months. We are happy to mailout any extension material, or provide information for your projects.
If you have any updates on treatments, or Serrated tussock project, please let us know. We will be offering the Weed Hygiene training in the second half of the year, so be sure to register your organisation.
We will hopefully see you all in October 2020, in Bacchus Marsh, to deliver our postponed Annual Stakeholder Forum. Until then, stay safe and look after each other.
Regards and many thanks, Ivan Carter and VSTWP Committee