Get Ahead of Woody Weeds This Season
Spring has arrived in Mansfield Shire, and so have the woody weeds. Blackberry, Sweet Briar, Broom and Gorse are all taking off, and the window for effective control is open. If you want to be ready, now is the time to plan.
Why woody weeds matter
Woody weeds are thriving across the region. Blackberry, Sweet Briar, Broom, Gorse and Hawthorn are thriving in the good weather, posing both environmental and agricultural threats. Blackberry is the most prevalent, and it:
Outcompetes native vegetation and pastures
Provides shelter for pest species such as rabbits, deer and foxes
Restricts livestock access to watercourses
Reduces land usability with sharp thorns and dense growth
Increases fire risk through accumulated dead canes
Reduces property values and overall landscape amenity
As Up2Us Landcare Facilitator Kim Magnay puts it, "Blackberry chokes watercourses, reducing access and overall amenity, while increasing fire risk. For landholders, this adds stress and diminishes the landscape's value."
Why plan now?
The best time to control woody weeds is between November and April, when plants are actively growing. Chemical control works best in this period, especially before seed set. The season kicks off after the last frost in November and runs until the autumn frosts return.
Planning ahead means you can:
Work out which weeds to tackle first
Book a contractor or organise equipment before the rush
Talk to your neighbours about a joint effort
Apply for a rebate
For small infestations, physical removal may be enough. Larger areas call for a strategic spraying program. Blackberry can take around three years to control properly, so a long-term plan makes all the difference.
What Up2Us offers landholders
Up2Us has run the War on Weeds program for nine years, working with Mansfield Shire Council, government agencies and local landholders. The 2026 Woody Weed Incentive Program includes:
Individual rebates: 50% back, up to $350, for woody weed control using woody weed specific herbicides or a local weed contractor.
Neighbourhood rebates: For three or more neighbouring properties working together, 50% back up to $450 per property, plus a $100 bonus for the coordinating landholder.
Free property visits: An Up2Us visit to assess your property, plus a tailored four-year woody weed management plan.
Spray unit hire: A 200-litre battery-powered spray unit is available to hire.
Annual workshop: A woody weed management workshop is held every March.
Technical advice: Guidance on best-practice control methods, plus a list of local weed contractors.
Last season, 29 landholders took up the rebate, treating 212 hectares and focusing mainly on blackberry, thistle, briar and gorse. Funding is first in, first served, so don't leave it too late.
Weeds know no boundaries
Woody weeds don't stop at the fence line, and neighbours working together get better results. You can share knowledge, equipment and costs, prevent reinfestation from next door, and unlock higher rebates.
Timing with the Shire's roadside program
Your weed control can also line up with Mansfield Shire's roadside weed control program. If your property adjoins a road reserve, treating your side while the Shire treats the roadside gives you a much better chance of stopping weeds from creeping back in.
Weeds on or near your property? Call us
If you have woody weeds on or near your property, including along roadsides, waterways or on public land, contact Up2Us. We can advocate on your behalf to the Shire or the relevant government department to get them controlled.
Phone: (03) 5779 1593
Email: landcare2@up2us.org.au
Office: 24 Highett Street, Mansfield (Mon–Fri, 9am–3:30pm)
This project is supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Victorian Government's Victorian Landcare Program.
