Weeds

Program Overview

Overview

Weeds have a significant impact on many areas of Australia including agricultural land, national parks, conservation reserves, transport or infrastructure corridors, waterways, urban and peri-urban areas.

Weed invasion is a complex, man-made and ecological problem with significant economic, social and environmental impacts. 

The economic costs to the Australian economy are estimated at more than $4 billion per annum for control and loss of agricultural productivity.

The RIRDC Weeds Program is the second stage of the National Weeds and Productivity and Research Program. It will build on previous research undertaken during the first stage of the Program managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The Australian Government provided up to $12.4 million to RIRDC for the first two years of the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program to 30 June 2012 with the goal of reducing the impact of invasive weeds on farm and forestry productivity as well as on biodiversity

All RIRDC research investments are oversighted by the Weeds R&D Advisory Committee in accordance with the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program R&D Plan 2010-2015 that has been approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Solutions to weeds in Australia require a long-term, integrated, multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary approach.

Priorities and Deliverables

Priorities for 2012–13

This second stage of the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program has built on and complemented the first stage of the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program which was managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. With the programs now concluded, RIRDC’s priority will be on communicating the outputs of the program to a breadth of audiences through a variety of communication products.

Deliverables

  • Publication and promotion of the Compendium Summary report detailing all the projects delivered through the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program.
  • Publication of the Farmer Fact Sheets produced from the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program projects.
  • Publication of the final reports from the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program projects.
  • Delivery of this information to the most appropriate audiences.

Performance Indicators

  • Completed publication of all appropriate outputs from the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program.
  • Implementation of the Communications Plan.
  • Establishment of world class weeds web portal.
  • Provide information as required on significant events.

R&D Plan

The Weeds R&D Plans have been shaped by invaluable feedback from weed stakeholders.

The National Weeds and Productivity Program R&D Plan 2010-2015 was developed through extensive research and consultation with over 100 weed stakeholders which took place during July and August 2010. 

These included:

  • Agricultural and forestry industry representatives.
  • Researchers.
  • Rural research and development corporations.
  • Natural Resource, Environmental and Public Land Managers.
  • Federal, state and territory governments.

This consultation identified a strong interest from all stakeholders in:

  • Developing a weeds-related research approach that will enable long-term investment and activities to occur.
  • Building the long term capacity of the weeds research community.
  • Ensuring research is approached in a collaborative fashion.
  • Enabling multi-disciplinary research to occur in key areas.
  • Improving the adoption of R&D knowledge and tools.
  • Involving target users of the research in shaping projects and providing regular feedback.

The National Weeds and Productivity Research Program R&D Plan 2010-15 and the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program Annual Research Plan 2010-11 were approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. They are key documents for focussing the Program on delivering outcomes that have impact on Australia's weed issues.

Key contacts and links

RIRDC Senior Research Manager

Dr John de Majnik
Ph: 02 6271 4138
Email: John.deMajnik@rirdc.gov.au

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Publications

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RIRDC Projects and Results

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Current projects

The National Weeds and Productivity Research Program concluded on 1 July 2012.

There are no current research projects as part of this Program.

Completed projects

All weeds research projects completed by RIRDC appear here. Click on a project name for more information about that project.


Completed projects
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