Weeds represent a major threat to the natural environment. It is estimated they cost farmers over a billion dollars each year in control activities and that more than two billion dollars is lost in agricultural production. The true cost to the environment is difficult to calculate, however may be similar to or even greater than the cost to agricultural industries*.  

With a changing climate, where rainfall and wet seasons are detrimentally affected, the impact of weeds is expected to worsen, placing further stress on the environment, and in turn, food and water security. Land owners and managers have a duty of care to the environment, to manage it in a way that protects and sustains it, and require support in reducing the impact of exotic species.  

Evidence-based, Sustainable Land Management

When it comes to sustainable solutions, Ventia's specialist environment management services understand the role of land custodians and seeks to support clients to implement programs that assist in achieving sustainably-managed landscapes. 

Landscape management plans (LMPs) are critical, accounting for practical requirements such as better resource allocation, and integrating a range of control options, such as mechanical, chemical or biological means to reduce the severity of weeds and even the use of fire, to assist with native regeneration. 

Using best-practice guidelines, combined with an intimate working knowledge of the drivers of ecosystems and landscapes, we support land owners and managers to develop and implement sustainable landscape management plans. 

A new level of Landscape Management Planning 

Partnering with Australian Defence, Ventia's specialist environment management services created clear LMPs that integrate the contemporary horticultural requirements of each Defence location, with the principles of large scale ecosystem management. 

This deeply integrated approach leverages the life-history attributes of threatened plant species, problematic fauna and flora and ecosystems to help determine the most suitable land management strategies and outcomes. The implementation outlined in the Defence LMPs utilises seasonal cycles to capitalise on times when problem species are most vulnerable to control measures used mostly for weeds and to maximise the use of specialised workers across developed and natural landscapes at those times.

Cutting-edge insights lead to better planning and management outcomes

Our in-house Geographic Information System (GIS) capability enables an accurate and evidence-based approach to managing issues such as weed infestations, significant threatened habitat or vegetation communities, drainage and erosion, areas of significant bushfire fuel loading, and native and invasive fauna. 

This crucial data offers clear insights, increasing our knowledge of the land area to improve planning and investment decisions. By undertaking specific data analysis, we can more accurately predict future focus areas, maximise land management budgets and obtain better on-ground outcomes. 

*Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment