Community Pest Management Groups
Victoria’s four Community Pest Management Groups lead the way on supporting community-led action on the management of established weeds and rabbits.
Victoria has four CPMGs, run by volunteers. They are:
- Victorian Blackberry Taskforce
- Victorian Gorse Taskforce
- Victorian Rabbit Action Network
- Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party
They provide information on best practice established weed and rabbit management to increase community capability and support action on public and private land.
The groups help build connections between communities and government by partnering with a range of stakeholders to collaboratively develop and deliver community-based projects.
The groups have a vast range of information resources available to assist communities and landowners to get the best return on their investment in established weed and rabbit control, and ensure that control is undertaken efficiently, effectively, and safely. The groups also promote established weed and rabbit management at field days, community group meetings, and via their websites, newsletters.
Agriculture Victoria has been investing in and supporting the CPMGs since the early 2000s.
The groups play a big role in engaging with community and building community capacity across the state. They also help to facilitate partnerships between government, industry and community, and engage with a range of project partners including Landcare groups, local councils, catchment management authorities, and public land managers like Parks Victoria. This partnership was recognised nationally, when the CPMGs received the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Award in the Community category.
Between 2016 and 2021, the four CPMGs participated in a partnership initiative named the Weeds and Rabbits Project. This project delivered 223 events and engaged with over 5,000 people across Victoria.
Find out more about this project and read community stories.