Land managers and local conservationists joined forces in Lakes Entrance on Friday to deploy a new biological control agent against sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias), an invasive coastal weed threatening dunes and native beach-nesting bird habitats across Victoria.
The East Gippsland Landcare Network (EGLN) hosted a community workshop to discuss ongoing control efforts and introduce the biocontrol agent, a specialised fungus known as Venturia paralias.
Discovered on native sea spurge plants in France, the fungus underwent extensive testing by the CSIRO to ensure it is highly host-specific and poses no threat to Australian native flora. Following approval from Australian environmental regulators in 2020 for public release, the project now relies on community land managers to overcome the fungus’s limited natural dispersal by releasing it at targeted coastal sites.
Workshop attendees were joined by CSIRO scientists Dr Gavin Hunter, who led the identification and development of the fungus, and Caroline Delaisse, who is coordinating community releases nationwide.
The regional rollout coincides with sea spurge being formally recognized as a nationally listed priority weed in July, placing it alongside major invasive species such as blackberry, African lovegrass, and serrated tussock.
The national nomination was spearhead by local resident and Landcare Victoria Members Councillor Beth Ripper OAM, who has spent years combating infestations along the Gippsland coast through Lakes Entrance Community Landcare and Lake Tyers Coast Action.
EGLN facilitator Sarah Pizzey welcomed the collaboration between research bodies and regional volunteers.
“With the CSIRO team in the field gathering information on our sites and locations this spring we have a great opportunity to learn more, get involved and have an impact as a community,” Ms Pizzey said.
