Tree Lupin is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria and poses a significant threat to coastal dune ecosystems, heathlands and healthy woodlands. This shrub grows at a rapid rate and produces long-lived seeds that are explosively dispersed into the environment. Lupins have been used in other countries – such as New Zealand – to help with erosion control and sand/soil stabilsation. We can assume that when this invasive species was introduced to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century, however, the long term and future impacts on the environment were not considered. 

Tree Lupin fixes the soil’s nitrogen, altering the chemistry and resulting in ground becomes less suitable for the survival of native vegetation. This also provides an opportunity for other exotic (non-native) species to establish, forming competition with native plant communities – while also altering the dune ecosystem by forming dense thickets, decreasing the mobility of the sand. 

This is just one of the targeted pest-plant species that Parks Victoria, with the help of contractors, community groups and partner agencies, is working to control to protect the natural values and biodiversity of Far East Gippsland. 

“Our latest efforts to control invasive Tree Lupin and other weeds at Tamboon Inlet, Croajinglong National Park have produced effective results, and we will continue to monitor and treat their spread,” Dave said. 

“As a collective, it’s important that we continue to assist the natural environment through providing protection from invasive plant species – enabling our native wildlife and important ecosystems to thrive.”