Weeds in Australia

Publications and resources

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) weed management guide

Weeds of National Significance
Department of the Environment and Heritage and the CRC for Australian Weed Management, 2003
ISBN 1 9209 3206 2

PDF file

About the guide

Gorse is a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. It is a major agricultural weed in Tasmania and parts of Victoria, and is increasingly becoming a threat as an environmental weed in many national parks and other bushland areas.

In pastoral areas it provides shelter for pests such as rabbits, increases the risk of bushfires because of its flammability, reduces access by forming dense thickets and dramatically reduces stocking rates.

In Tasmania the cost of gorse to the state's woolgrowers in lost production alone has been conservatively estimated at about $1 million annually. In Victoria the costs of gorse to the community in the central highlands region were recently estimated at $7 million over five years.

Control of gorse, like all weeds, is expensive with initial costs of up to $1500 per ha and ongoing follow-up required.

Contact details

Dean Vincent
National Coordinator Gorse
Department of Primary Industries and Water
13 St Johns Avenue, New Town, Tasmania 7008
Phone: (03) 6233 3197 Fax: (03) 6228 5123 Mobile: 0429 960 738
Dean.Vincent@dpiw.tas.gov.au

Coverage
Extent in Australia Potential distribution
WA, QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, ACT Could further expand in current locations
Cover of Gorse (Ulex europaeus) - Weeds of National Significance - Weed Management Guide

See also

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