Excellent opening rains will bring on a curse
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A brilliant start to the winter rains has seen almost 125mm (5 inches) of rain fall in the on Mount Solus near the head waters of the Serpentine River. Nearby Jarrahdale has received almost 75mm in the last week alone. This is well above the average for April and more than four times as much as the same month last year.
Follow up rains over the next couple of months will guarantee a spectacular wild flower season in the Perth Hills. Already wattles and bottle brush are budding and open land is rapidly greening over as dozens of seeds germinate in the still warm ground.
Unfortunately there is a down side to natures new awakening. Mingled with the many sprouting native species are weeds. Some of these weeds are a serious threat to the environment and agriculture.
Department of Agriculture biosecurity officer Daryl Stewart has issued a stern warning that landowners are required by law to destroy weeds such as Paterson's Curse, Cape Tulip, Cotton Bush, Arum Lily and Apple of Sodom growing on their properties.
Many new residents in the rapidly expanding "life style" developments in the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire are possibly unaware of their responsibility to keep their properties weed free. A property development company recently distributed a glossy brochure featuring Pattersons Curse to promote land sales in Byford.
Many large building blocks in the shire are infested with one or more of the weeds. A paddock near the corner of Nettleton Road and South Western Highway in Byford supports one of the worst infestations of Pattersons Curse in the shire. The weeds need to be reported to Mr. Stewart on 9366 2300 who will provide control and eradication advice.
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