Mount Gambier City Council has received $50,000 in funds through the Limestone Coast Landscape Board Grassroots Grants 2021/2022 program to undertake weed control measures in the Crater Lakes area.

Council’s engineering technical officer Sinaway Georgiou said officers would target pest weeds and plants found throughout the precinct including Olive trees, Sweet Pittosporum, Cotoneaster, Italian Buckthorn and Ash trees on the Centenary Tower slope.

“Given the severity of the slope, council will engage a local contractor to use abseiling techniques to cut and swab the targeted pest weeds and plants,” he said.

“We expect to have removed all the pest weeds and plants from within the vicinity of the area within the next two to three years to allow the native vegetation to thrive.”

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board also provided council with a grant for weed clearing work valued at $30,000 last financial year, which included removing Cape Wattle Trees from the crater slope along Keegan Drive.

“Collaborating with the community to manage pest plants is a key priority for the Limestone Coast Landscape Board,” Limestone Coast Landscape Board officer Tony Bullock said.

“We are excited to build on the successful work already undertaken for weed control in the Crater Lakes and it is great to be able to support the continuation of this project, providing opportunities for both education and awareness of weed control right here in Mount Gambier.”

Mr Georgiou said as part of this round of funding, council would re-vegetate the area using native grasses such as Wallaby, Kangaroo and Poa.

“This will help suppress weeds, minimise any erosion and restore the native vegetation to the area in line with the Crater Lakes Conservation Management Plan,” he said.

Mr Georgiou said council’s Marist Park and Oaks precinct management plan outlined the importance of maintenance in accordance with the character of the existing landscape by managing the historic Oaks and improving links to the Sugar Loaf.

“This work began in collaboration with Grant High School and Tenison Woods College students last year and they were involved in removing pest weeds and plants in the Sugar Loaf area,” he said.

“The ongoing removal of pest weeds and plants will continue with the schools this year as we work towards implementing a re-vegetation program.”