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Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

Managing pests and weeds in NSW alpine resorts

We use several methods to control and manage pests and weeds in NSW alpine resorts.

 

Pest animals

Pest animals such as foxes and feral cats prey on many native animals in resort areas and can harm native vegetation communities.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) carries out annual control programs to lower the environmental impact of some pests.

These programs include the following:

  • Soft-jaw trapping programs targeting feral cats and European red foxes are undertaken in spring and autumn, focusing on the known habitat areas of the mountain pygmy-possum and broad-toothed rat.
  • Fox-baiting control programs are carried out more broadly across the landscape during winter.
  • Feral cats are also controlled in winter by cage trapping around the resort villages. The resort operators work collaboratively with NPWS to implement the ‘See a cat, catch a cat’ control program, which relies on placing cage traps in areas where cats have been seen.
  • Rabbit-control programs are implemented in spring and autumn to reduce their impact on native vegetation.
    You can help to minimise pest animals around resorts by keeping all food and rubbish securely stored and preventing pest animals from occupying resort buildings.

You can also help map feral animals by reporting sightings. This will help to identify practical and humane ways to manage feral animals.

Weeds

Due to past land use and introduced plants, more than 200 weed species are found in Kosciuszko alpine resort areas.

Weed-mapping programs in all resorts have identified where high-priority weed species are so that NPWS and resort operators and lessees can carry out coordinated management control programs for some species, including:

  • milfoil/yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
  • vipers bugloss (Echium vulgare)
  • St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • winter cress (Barbarea verna)
  • Russell lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus)
  • large rush (Juncus effusus)
  • scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius).

In heavily disturbed areas, introduced plants (weeds) such as grasses and forbs often dominate the landscape, replacing native plants and providing habitat more suited to pest animals such as rabbits.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in exotic perennial grasses. NPWS research and monitoring continue to look at the best ways to control this weed type. Exotic grasses are controlled at rehabilitation sites, where native species are restored and planted.

  • This image shows efforts to control invasive species, specifically broom, in the alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park. Broom is a significant pest plant that can outcompete native vegetation, impacting the habitat of native species like the mountain pygmy-possum.
    Broom control in the alpine area of Kosciuszko National Park
    Broom control in the alpine area of Kosciuszko National Park
    Image Credit: Dave Hipwell/DPE
  • This image highlights the issue of feral cats, which are a significant threat to native wildlife in Australia. Feral cats prey on a wide range of native species, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles, contributing to the decline of many threatened species.
    Feral cat
    Feral cat
    Image Credit: Paul Meek
  • Bright yellow mouse-ear hawkweed flower held between two fingers.
    Mouse-ear hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum)
    Mouse-ear hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum)
    Image Credit: Mark Hamilton/DPE
  • Close up of a bunch of bright orange flowers from the orange hawkweed.
    Orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca), a Class 1 noxious weed
    Orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca) Class 1 noxious weed
    Image Credit: J Caldwell/DPE
  • Close-up of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with orange-red fur, sharp pointed ears, and a keen gaze, peeking through green grass
    Fox, introduced species, pest and threat to native animals
    Fox, introduced species, pest and threat to native animals
    Image Credit: Paul Meek
  • Close-up image of a Scotch broom. Also known as broom, broomtops, common broom, English broom, European broom, Irish broom, Scotchbroom, Scottish broom, Spanish broom
    Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius)
    Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius subsp. scopariusan).
    Image Credit: Barry Collier
  • This image shows St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), an invasive weed in many parts of Australia. It can spread rapidly and outcompete native plants, leading to significant ecological impacts. St. John’s wort is also toxic to livestock, making its control important for both environmental and agricultural reasons.
    St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in bloom
    St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in bloom
    Image Credit: Barry Collier
  • This image features viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare), another invasive plant species in Australia. Viper’s bugloss can dominate pastures and natural habitats, reducing biodiversity and competing with native plants. Its spiky stems and blue flowers make it quite recognizable, but also problematic for both the environment and agriculture.
    Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare)
    Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare)
    Image Credit: Barry Collier

For assistance with a wildlife issue

NPWS Resorts Environmental Liaison Officer

Phone: 02 6450 5616

Phone: 0418 689 250

Email: [email protected]