TENSIONS AND CONTENTION

Willows: friend or foe? 

REFERENCE PROVIDED BY Lionel Morrell _ Heritage Protection Society (Tas)

Willows (Salix L.) were originally introduced to Australia from Europe, Asia, North America and South America for basket making, cricket bat production, stream stabilisation, ornaments and shelter. Planting began soon after European settlement and was most extensive from the 1950s to 1970s to help control stream and gully erosion and for use as windbreaks. During this time, willows became a familiar icon of the Australian landscape.............. During the 1980s and 1990s, the problems with willows became more broadly recognised and a relatively dramatic shift in waterway management occurred. Now, the same trusts and boards that originally advocated their use often conduct extensive willow removal operations (ARMCANZ, ANZECC & FM 2001). The reason for such a profound shift in perspective was the mounting evidence of the impacts that willows cause to both aquatic and riparian environments and their ability to so readily and aggressively colonise new areas.............. Attempts to remove willows from along waterways are still often met with strong community opposition (e.g. Andrews 2006), but there is also growing opposition to leaving them unchecked. In reality, neither the retention nor control of all willows is necessary, feasible or desirable. Instead, effective decisions need to be made about why, when, how and where to manage them. ............. A National Willows Program was established in 2005 in order to guide the strategic management of willows across Australia. At the heart of the program is the desire to build an objective, evidence-based approach that recognises the complex nature of willows and their management. To do this, the National Willows Taskforce has had to manage conflicting views and attempt to interpret contradictory information on almost every aspect of willow management. This paper outlines some of the key outcomes achieved by the National Willows Program to date, the processes used to achieve such outcomes, and how these can be utilized by regions, states and other nations in protecting and improving their waterways for the future  .... http://archive.riversymposium.com/index.php?element=HOLLANDCLIFT