The Victorian Blackberry Taskforce

Welcome to the website of the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus aggregate) is one of the twenty Weeds of National Significance (WONS) in Australia due to its high level of invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. At least 14 different but closely related species of blackberry are naturalised in Australia.

In Victoria it is one of the four State Priority Weed species. It is a Regionally Controlled species in all Catchment Management Regions except the Mallee, which means that landowners in these regions must take all reasonable steps to control the growth and spread of blackberry on their land in accordance with the Catchment & Land Protection Act, 1994.

The Victorian Blackberry Task Force (VBT) was formed in 2001 as a result of community support for blackberry control. The VBT is one of four Victorian Community Weed Model Groups working in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Department of Sustainability and Environment to deliver community weed control programs.

The state-wide taskforce constitutes representatives from local government, Catchment Management Authorities (CMA), Landcare and community groups, Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Victorian Catchment Management Council (VCMC), Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria.

The VBT delivers services that provide for the sustainable development of Victoria's primary industries and protect biodiversity assets for the benefit of the Victorian community, both now and in the future.  The VBT works in partnership with those who directly manage the natural resource base including rural landholders, public land managers and local government.

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