Invasive Species
Our team takes the management of invasive species seriously within the Shire of Denmark. Weeds, feral animals, pests and plant pathogens such as dieback threaten the health and native ecology of our district. We work with community groups, contractors and volunteers to manage and control invasive species locally, but we also rely on our residents and visitors to minimise behaviours that may introduce or perpetuate invasives in our area.
On this page:
Posted 20 December 2024
Annual Christmas Closure: 24 December to 2 January
Shire Admin, Recreation Centre, Library and Depot to close doors at noon 24 December
Posted 20 December 2024
Appointment of Ranger, Fire Control Officer and Chief FCO
Public notice of two new appointments
Posted 20 December 2024
Denmark Direct Community Newsletter December 2024
Sign up to receive our monthly enewsletter with community info and notices
Posted 20 December 2024
Substantial Congestion Expected at Ocean Beach and Prawn Rock
A message from the Denmark Shire President Kingsley Gibson
Posted 20 December 2024
Holiday Waste Collections and Tip Closures
Kerbside collections, plus info on Tip, Tip Shop and Containers for Change
Posted 16 December 2024
Massive Funding Announcement a Win for Berridge Park Revitalisation
$2,857,500 grant awarded by Lotterywest ensures $5m project will go ahead
Posted 16 December 2024
Prohibited Burning Period Commences Today 16 December
From 16 December to 15 March it is an offence to light an outdoor fire
Posted 12 December 2024
Springdale Shared Path Due to Get Underway Next Month
Local contractor engaged to deliver construction of new path, completed by April 2025
Posted 11 December 2024
Adoption of Waste Local Law 2024
Copy of the new local law can be viewed online or in person at the Shire Admin
Posted 10 December 2024
Ratepayers Rewarded for Paying Rates on Time
Seven lucky ratepayers rewarded with Denmark Dollars for paying rates by due date
What We Look After
Weeds
Did you know? 65% of weeds on the South Coast are derived from ornamental garden plants. The Shire runs an annual Weed Control Program, in addition to dedicated monitoring programs for Sydney Golden Wattles, Blackberries and others.
Action is guided by our Bushland Reserves Weed Management Strategy 2024-2034, which was recently reviewed.
Our Methods
The Shire of Denmark undertakes a Weed Control Program to manage invasive weeds on it's road reserve and within Shire reserves for the purposes of infrastructure maintenance (eg. roadsides and trails); targeted invasive weed management for biodiversity conservation; and for fire mitigation and post-burn weed control.
Weed control is carried out using a number of methods, including mechanical and manual weed removal, as well as targeted chemical spray use. The program occurs at different times throughout the year, depending on the the target species, weather considerations and more.
More information is provided below under Related Documents and Useful Links.
Dieback
We take the spread of plant pathogens such as dieback very seriously in the Shire of Denmark.
Our Town Planning Scheme Policy No.1 for Dieback Disease Management (1997) acknowledges the need to prevent the spread of dieback on both private and public lands and outlines a number of actions and strategies by which this can be achieved. These actions include developing a Code of Practice, identifying priority areas for dieback management, providing training and education to raise awareness of dieback, ensuring that dieback hygiene management measures are incorporated into Council operations, and ensuring that the spread of dieback is minimised through conditions being applied to subdivision and development approvals processes. As a consequence, Council regularly requires certified dieback-free fill to be used as a condition of subdivision approval where any earthworks/fill is required as per Action 7 of Policy No. 1.
In addition, Council has adopted A Study into the Risk of Phytophthora Dieback in Ten Peri-Urban Reserves within the Shire of Denmark (2008), with a view for the Shire to work towards implementing the recommendations stipulated within the document. Key recommendations include adhering to the TPS Policy No.1; installation of dieback signage; development of a treatment and monitoring program; raising dieback awareness through educational means; and conducting further interpretation and dieback management of the other Reserves that were not covered by the study.
The Shire has also installed dieback signage, markers and associated boot cleaning stations on various peri-urban Reserves around Denmark, has undertaken phosphite treatment and is working towards conducting further dieback interpretive mapping on Shire bushland Reserves. The Shire also conducts environmental workshops which include information on dieback hygiene management aimed at contractors, Shire staff and the broader Denmark community.
You can help prevent the spread of dieback by ensuring that appropriate hygiene management protocols are adhered to, conducting soil disturbance activities during dry conditions, and washing down vehicles and boots prior to entering any dieback-free bushland areas.
More information is provided below under Related Documents and Useful Links.
Feral Animals
Introduced species such as foxes, rabbits, pigs and feral cats can have devastating impacts on our environment. We contribute annual funding towards feral pig eradication in the Denbarker region, in efforts to reduce impacts on our Mt Lindesay National Park. A member of Council also sits on the Lake Muir / Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group.
The Shire does not run baiting programs for rabbits or foxes, as this is controlled by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Our Ranger Services team can provide cage traps for hire to assist residents who suspect the presence of a feral cat in their area. The RSPCA Guidelines for the Use of Humane Cat Traps applies. More information is provided below under Related Documents and Useful Links.
Biosecurity
In 2021, Council endorsed an Owl-Friendly campaign to eliminate the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in all Shire operations in efforts to protect predator birdlife in the area. For information about domestic animals, please visit our Ranger Services page.
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Weed Control Program
Our Weed Control Program targets invasive weeds on our road verges and reserves. The goals of the program are to keep weeds under as tight control as possible, while also achieving fire mitigation outcomes.
No Spray Register
Residents can apply to have the boundaries of their property exempted from the herbicide spray program by completing a No Spray Register application form.
Applying to be listed on the No Spray Register means you are committing to undertake the responsibility for weed management on the verges surrounding your property. Applications open for the No Spray Register every winter and remain valid for two years. For more information, please contact our hard-working Reserves team.
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Farm, Plantation and Vineyard Biosecurity
Agriculture is the largest employer and economic driver in the Shire of Denmark according to 2021 Census data.
It's important we all do what we can to protect this vital industry by respecting biosecurity protocols and refraining from entering private property without permission. More information is provided below under Useful Links.
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Related Documents
Weeds
Dieback
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Useful Links
Weeds
Dieback
Feral Animals
Farm, Plantation and Vineyard Biosecurity
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Contact
Our Sustainability Officer can be reached at (08) 9848 0300 or enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au.
Our Reserves Team can be reached at our Depot on (08) 9848 0356 or enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au.
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