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Milnerton Racecourse Conservation Area |
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Kikuyu Encroachment into
the Conservation Area
from Adjacent
Developments |
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The encroachment of Kikuyu
grass, Pennisetum
clandestinum, into the
conservation area is a matter of
considerable concern to
environmentalists. Kikuyu is
highly invasive and will only
increase pressure on the several
endangered plant species in the
reserve. |
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Below is information dated 26
March 2009 sent to all
residential precincts bordering
the Milnerton Conservation Area. |
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With regards to the encroachment
of Kikuyu Grass into the
Conservation Area the following
points need to be raised: |
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The Conservation Area is being
managed as a nature reserve.
As such all effort is being made
to remove alien species
and promote indigenous species. |
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Landscaping requirements were
set for all developments
abutting the Conservation Area
that aligned to this vision.
Only indigenous plant material
was permitted to be used in the
landscaping of any of these
developments. In the case of
Sandown Crescent, only plant
material collected from within
the Conservation Area was
permitted for use within the
development because of its
location between the northern &
southern portions of the
Conservation Area, & the fact
that permeable fencing was
utilised on the perimeters. |
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Maintenance of landscaped areas
MUST include the removal of all
alien plant species, to ensure
that no escapes into the
Conservation Area occur. |
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The control of Kikuyu grass is
indeed a difficult task and
regular maintenance will be
necessary to effectively control
the issue. The following
outlines possible control
methods: |
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Suggestions
for Kikuyu
eradication
in
Landscaped
Areas |
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Manually
remove
where
possible |
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Focus-Ultra
is a
relatively
new grass
specific
herbicide
that is
proving to
be
effective.
It should
not
significantly
affect other
plants that
are
accidentally
sprayed.
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Care MUST be
undertaken
when
utilising
any
herbicide
products in
or near
wetland
areas.
Spraying
should only
be
undertaken
during dry
summer
months. |
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Spraying
should only
be
undertaken
on sunny
wind free
days to
avoid
dispersion
by wind or
water. |
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Regular
maintenance
(treatment &
removal of
dead
material) is
the key to
achieving
any measure
of success. |
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If you require any further
assistance please feel free to
contact us on the contact
details given below. Site visits
with individual Developments &
their maintenance staff can also
be arranged if required. |
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Mandy Noffke |
Planning in Balance
Tel: 021 785 6871
Email:
pibalance@envirosolutions.co.za |
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