Part 3: Working smarter together>Key insights from the Cross-Tenure Weed Management Project

In May 2025, RM Consulting Group delivered a final report to the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP), alongside the Victorian Gorse Taskforce and the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, examining opportunities and barriers to cross-tenure weed data collection and sharing across Victoria. The project aimed to understand better how invasive plant data is recorded, stored and shared, and how improved collaboration could strengthen landscape-scale weed management outcomes. We will now explore the results, findings, limitations, and conclusions of this project through a series of four blogs, social posts, and communication products. 

Part 3: Future Directions  What’s Next? Strengthening Cross-Tenure Weed Management in Victoria

The cross-tenure weed data project has provided valuable insights into how Victoria manages invasive species—and what needs to happen next to improve outcomes.

Led by the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, the project highlights a key challenge: while many land managers are collecting valuable data, inconsistencies in how that data is recorded and shared are limiting its impact.

To address this, the report outlines a series of practical recommendations aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving decision-making across all land tenures.

One of the most important recommendations is to promote best practices in weed data collection and sharing. This includes showcasing successful collaborative projects and encouraging the use of widely recognised tools that support data integration.

Another key priority is strengthening networks. The forums held as part of the project demonstrated the value of bringing land managers together to share knowledge, discuss challenges and build relationships. Many participants noted that these connections are essential for improving coordination and ensuring that efforts are aligned across boundaries.

Improving data consistency is also critical. The absence of standardised data formats and agreed data attributes was identified as a major barrier. Developing clearer guidance on what data should be collected—and how—will help ensure that information can be more easily shared and used.

The project also recommends the development of decision-support tools to guide land managers. These tools could help users identify what data to collect, which platforms to use and how to ensure their data contributes to broader management efforts.

Importantly, the findings show that the willingness to collaborate is already strong. Many land managers recognise the value of working together and are open to sharing data and aligning their efforts.

“The challenge now is to build on this momentum. We will endeavour to engage with our stakeholders and get some consistency in sharing data on publicly available databases, such as the Atlas of Living Australia.” 

By improving systems, strengthening networks and supporting land managers with the right tools and guidance, Victoria can move toward a more coordinated, landscape-scale approach to weed management—delivering better outcomes for both agriculture and the environment.

The full report is available upon request.

This project was funded through the Victorian State Government through a Pest and Partnerships Grant and delivered by the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Group, the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, and the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce.