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BENDIGO residents have been urged to help fight an invasive, quick-spreading weed in the city's waterway by reporting any instances of it.
Authorities say now may be a unique chance to get rid of the weed in Bendigo Creek, its only aquatic infestation north of the Great Dividing Range.
Agriculture Victoria leading biosecurity officer Kaitlin Wright said alligator weed could choke waterways, causing agricultural losses, blocking recreational uses and displacing native plant species.
It could cost thousands to clean up, she said.
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Ms Wright said if left to grow unrestricted alligator weed would likely cause massive problems for agriculture downstream.
She said Agriculture Victoria monitored about 150 kilometres of waterway for the weed, but about 30 kilometres of the creek was infested.
Ms Wright asked residents to report any alligator weed they saw in the creek or their backyards to Agriculture Victoria.
"This is the only aquatic infestation in the northern part of the state, so we've got a great opportunity to eradicate it," she said.
"The more people who are looking for it, the more chance we have of catching it before it spreads too far."
Ms Wright urged people not to pull the weed up themselves, saying they should report the location and send pictures if possible.
She said Agriculture Victoria would cover all the eradication costs of any alligator weed found on private property.
Ms Wright said alligator weed did look like some native plants, but a few distinctive features set it apart.
She said its green, glossy spearshaped leaves grew in pairs exactly opposite each other, while the flowers grew on stalks.
Ms Wright said alligator weed could remain dormant in the ground for seven years, so Agriculture Victoria needed to keep watch for at last 10 years.
Report alligator weed at 136 186 or online at weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Earlier
AN invasive weed that can grow rapidly on land and in water is infesting part of Bendigo Creek.
Alligator weed can displace local flora, damage animal habitats, clog drains and block water flow.
The Bendigo Creek infestation of alligator weed is the only one north of the Great Divide in Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria is working with Bendigo authorities, land manages and community groups to raise awareness about the prohibited weed.
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Leading Biosecurity Incursion Control Officer Kaitlin Wright said the alligator weed infestation threatens farmland that Bendigo Creek flows through, Kerang's RAMSAR-listed wetlands and the Murray River.
"Alligator weed poses a threat to all of these if allowed to spread beyond its current 30 km extent, and cost tens of thousands of dollars more to control," Ms Wright said.
"Local land managers are working to rehabilitate and improve Bendigo Creek, including the Reimagining Bendigo Creek project, however the benefits of these works would be lost if alligator weed invaded the proposed infrastructure, frog ponds and revegetation sites."
As well as its annual alligator weed eradication program, Agriculture Victoria is working to raise awareness about the invasive weed through a series of workshops.
"Through this engagement, Agriculture Victoria aims to increase the number of people looking for alligator weed and build partnerships so everyone can work together to protect Bendigo Creek and the downstream assets," Ms Wright said.
If you see alligator weed, report it to the Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
For more details visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/state-prohibited-weeds/alligator-weed