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Fremantle stops Soldiers

CITY of Fremantle's Bush Regenerator, Shayne Boyle, is leading the charge against an invasion of a highly insidious weed known as Yellow Soldier or Lachenalia reflexa, at Sir Frederick Samson Memorial Reserve.

Originating in South Africa, Yellow Soldier is on the ‘Alert List for Eradication’ as a Weed of National Significance. It poses a major threat to high conservation-value bushland because of its ability to displace rich native plant under-story.

Recently, $6,000 has been made available to control the weed at Samson Reserve as part of a two-year, $30,000 project aimed at eradicating the plant across Perth.

The funding is part of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) $15million, Saving Our Species Biodiversity Conservation Initiative, which includes plans to control invasive animals and weeds, and address other critical biodiversity conservation issues to help protect the state’s unique environment.

Under that initiative, Mr Boyle, will work closely with DEC Project Officer, Karen Bettink, to control and monitor the Yellow Soldiers.

Similar partnerships with other councils and community groups throughout Perth ultimately target eradicating, or greatly reducing populations, at key sites on the Swan Coastal Plain and preventing its spread to the southwest of the State.

The DEC is also preparing a management plan for the species under its Invasive Species Project. That is expected to be finished by June 2008.

For further information contact Shayne Boyle at the City of Fremantle on 9432 9999.