Part 1: 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 conclusion from this project, via a series of four blogs, social posts and communication products. 

Part 1: Key insights: The VSTWP has taken a step toward improving weed reporting across Victoria, with the release of new findings from its cross-tenure weed data project.

Delivered in partnership with the Victorian Gorse Taskforce and Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, and led by RM Consulting Group, the project set out to better understand how weed data is collected, stored and shared across different land managers and organisations.

The results paint a clear picture: Victoria has a strong foundation for collaborative weed management—but there is significant room for improvement.

Encouragingly, the majority of respondents (84%) are actively managing invasive species on the land they oversee. Many are also collecting valuable data, with 69% recording information about weed species to guide their work.

This data plays a critical role in decision-making. Land managers use it to identify where control work is needed, track treatment effectiveness and maintain records of infestations. These insights help ensure that limited resources are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.

“However, the project also revealed a high level of variability in how data is collected and managed. Land managers use a wide range of tools and approaches—from mobile apps and GPS devices through to spreadsheets and handwritten notes. While this flexibility allows individuals to work in ways that suit their needs, it also creates challenges when it comes to sharing and comparing data across organisations.”

Despite these challenges, there is strong evidence of collaboration already taking place. Many respondents reported working with neighbouring landholders, government agencies and community groups to coordinate weed control efforts. This highlights a shared understanding that invasive species must be managed at a landscape scale.

“Importantly, the willingness to collaborate is high. With 78% of respondents open to sharing their data in the future, there is a clear opportunity to build more connected and coordinated approaches.”

The key takeaway from the project is simple: better coordination and consistency in data collection and sharing will significantly improve weed management outcomes across Victoria. The VSTWP will advocate for consistent use of publicly available databases, like the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), so date and updates are available to the broader community.

By building on existing efforts and strengthening connections between stakeholders, the sector is well positioned to deliver more effective, long-term control of invasive species.

The full report is available upon request.

This project was funded by 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.