New technology pinpoints herbicide application

After an extensive trial program, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) will begin using new technology that can pinpoint where and how much herbicide is being applied in waterways and dams, saving time and money and helping the environment.

Mark Finlay, G-MW Manager Aquatic Plant Services said the technology automatically linked spray vehicles used by staff and contractors in the field, to G-MW's Geographic Information Systems.

"This technology records G-MW's herbicide usage across the region, effectively creating a history for each waterway or parcel of land," Mr Finlay said.

"It means that at any one point in time, the precise amount of herbicide applied, the temperature and wind conditions are linked to the exact treatment location and electronically recorded," Mr Finlay said.

The spraying treatment history can be viewed in the field using a laptop PC connected to G-MW's computer system.

"The compact unit is attached to the spray vehicle and automatically maps treated areas and improves the planning of weed treatment programs, such as cumbungi and arrowhead, by creating a history which can be used for follow up in the next season,"

"It can be used to show the extent of the particular weed recorded over time and the effectiveness of the treatments to allow us to improve timing and clearly identify hot spots," Mr Finlay said.

The technology will also make it much easier to follow up treatments for noxious weed programs.

"Low water levels give perennial weeds like blackberry, gorse and Paterson's curse the opportunity to infest the exposed lakebed. These maps can be provided to contractors or staff, reducing the need to search for infestations on the lakebeds," Mr Finlay said.

Treatment of weeds by Goulburn-Murray Water is undertaken under strict guidelines only using environmentally friendly herbicides approved for the target weed and for usage in the aquatic environment.