Blackberry control program
Blackberry (Rubus spp) is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) that poses a major threat to biosecurity, local biodiversity, water quality, and agricultural productivity. It is also listed as a declared pest in Western Australia which means landholders have a legal obligation to control it on their properties.
To tackle this challenge, the Collie Donnybrook Balingup Natural Resource Recovery Program brings together local landholders, biosecurity groups, natural resource management groups and local government. Through this collaborative program, the community is able to receive assistance in managing invasive blackberry to restore healthy, resilient native ecosystems across both public and private lands.
Financial support is available to eligible landholders in the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup and Shire of Collie who are looking to undertake blackberry management on their properties. Funding is delivered as a 50% co-contribution (capped at $5,000 per property, per financial year) under a mutual commitment to support long-term environmental and community benefits.
Eligible activities
Blackberry control: On-ground removal of Blackberry via spraying or manual removal.
Revegetation: Re-establishing endemic native vegetation on treated sites. (Note: landholders must demonstrate at least three consecutive years of prior blackberry control at the site).
Stock exclusion fencing: Fencing to protect remnant or newly established areas of native vegetation from livestock, with priority given to wetland and riparian buffer areas.
How it works
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI): Complete the EOI form detailing your proposed works. You must provide photos and a basic map of the areas of blackberry infestation you are proposing to control (annotated satellite images are fine).
Assessment: Applications are assessed against eligibility criteria by the Leschenault Catchment Council and the project working group. If funding becomes limited, applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
On-ground works: Successful applicants enter into a signed project agreement before commencing works. Site visits may be conducted to verify project details.
Reimbursement: Landholders are to pay their contractor/suppliers in full and submit proof of payment and completed work to the Leschenault Catchment Council. Reimbursement is then issued by the Shire in accordance with the agreement.
All completed works are paid invoices must be submitted before 31 March 2027 to ensure reimbursement.
Ready to start?
If you own eligible land within the Shires of Collie or Donnybrook Balingup and want to restore native habitat and control blackberry on your property, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest.
Questions?
For more information or to discuss your property’s eligibility before applying, please contact our project officer.
Rachel Allan
rachel.allan@leschenaultcc.org.au
0458 960 576
This project is supported by the Western Australian Government’s Natural Resource Management Program, delivered in partnership with the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup, the Shire of Collie, and the Leschenault Catchment Council.