The Three Creeks Landcare Group initiated the project in their area to tackle some significant blackberry infestations in the area and to provide the group with their first major project since their formation in 2007.
The Three Creeks Landcare Group area is located between Kilcunda and Dalyston. Its southern boundary is the Bass Highway and Northern boundary at Woolamai. The three creeks that give rise to the name of the group are Woolshed, Bourne and Bridge Creeks.
The Bass Coast Landcare Network have provided extension and supply of chemical to landholders in the past to assist them control blackberries – some landholders have controlled and maintain control well – and others consider consistent blackberry control a low priority on their properties.
By raising awareness, educating and informing landholders of their control options has increased the capacity of the landholders to more effectively control their blackberries.
By forming ‘cooperatives’ – the group has enabled some landholders to engage helicopter and standard contractors to spray blackberries at a reduced cost. The Landcare Group and Network were able to link this project with other successful collaborative projects in the area such as Ragwort and Gorse control projects.