Investment plan: weeds RD&E

agriculture landscapes weeds

Status: Completed

Start date: 9 March 2018

Completion date: 31 July 2018

Project code: P01-W-001

Species/Threats: Weeds

Investment Plan (PDF, 1.58 MB)

Summary

Weeds are an expensive problem for Australia, mostly due to chemical control in broadacre cropping enterprises and production loss costs among the grain, beef and wool industries. From 2004 to 2018, overall costs increased by more than 20%.

The project team prepared the Centre’s 10-year National Investment Plan for Weeds Research, Development and Engagement, supported by an economic assessment of weed costs and investment plan benefits. The process included substantial public and member consultation, and complements the Australian Weeds Strategy 2017–2027.

Objectives

The objectives of this project were:

  1. Prepare a situation analysis and discussion paper to elicit initial Centre agreement on the scope of the Investment Plan and the mechanisms for stakeholder engagement in the preparation of the Plan, and to provide potential stakeholders with discussion prompts during the consultation phase.
  2. Facilitate a consultation phase that includes face to face and/or teleconference briefings to obtain feedback from key informants, critical stakeholders and potential co-investors or complementary investors.
  3. Prepare and submit an Investment Plan accompanied by recommendations on its implementation, communication and ongoing monitoring and assessment.

Key achievements

Outputs

  • Weeds RD&E consultation summary and feedback form.

Outcomes

  • Adopting best practice in national weed incursion management, including prevention, early detection and taking up risk-based surveillance systems.
  • Researching and developing support for regional integrated landscape management approaches that target multiple weed species and control techniques.
  • Reducing the impacts of established weeds through strategic control tools, including biocontrol integrated with industry and community delivery.
  • Improving aspects of weed management by enhancing community, industry and organisational capacities.
  • Adopting cost-effective weed management through better information and communication systems.

Impact

  • Increased effectiveness of resources allocated to weeds RD&E by identifying and prioritising national weeds issues.
  • Contribution to reduced future impact costs of weeds through effective weeds RD&E that improves the management of invasive plant species.
  • Two economic studies confirmed that each dollar invested in weed research and development is expected to generate at least $1.80 in industry benefits from reduced weed impacts.

Project team

Adj. A/Prof Richard Price

Project Lead

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