About VGT

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) was formed in 1999 with the launch of a community-based and integrated approach to reducing the impact of gorse across the landscape.

VGT Members

The Committee currently comprises land managers who have successfully controlled gorse on their land and in their communities, as well as representatives of Landcare groups, local government, agricultural industries and State Government departments.

Member	Affiliation
Michael Hotchin	VGT Chair, Blackwood & Barrys Reef Landcare Group
Ron Cosgrave	VGT Chair outgoing
Lisette Mill	VGT Deputy Chair and Communications Officer, Biodiversity Innovation AU
Diana Dawson	VGT Secretary and Executive Officer
Brian Rowe	VGT Treasurer, Blampied Kooroocheang Landcare
Margaret Hatton	Committee member, Willowmavin Landcare Group
Nick Moll	Committee member, Upper Hopkins Land Management Group and Ararat Landcare Group
Peter Sporle	Committee member, Pipers Creek Landcare Group
Mel Birleson	Committee member, Good Neighbour Program DEECA
Brian Bainbridge	Committee member, Hepburn Shire Council

Testimonials

“I’ve been working with the VGT for nearly 15 years and I’m proud of the gains we have made out in the landscape. Gorse control can be an overwhelming task and seeing communities come together and get on top of the problem is a massive achievement.”

VGT Chair

"Community-led action against gorse always works best. Local people and communities across Victoria have shown how to successfully tackle gorse with the support of the VGT."

Andrew Smith, Wattle Hill

“The VGT funding is helping the group achieve its goal to improve the Kangaroo Creek environment, reducing the risk of gorse spread into the waterway”.

Connecting Country

“VGT support has helped the Tylden Landcare Group build awareness and action on gorse along the Little Coliban River and adjacent paddocks for several years.”

Tylden Landcare Group – Brendan Smith

VGT Strategy

The Victorian Government funds the VGT to oversee the coordination and implementation of the Victorian Gorse Control Strategy (VGCS).

The VGT is committed to ensuring there is a strong emphasis on building community capacity in gorse control through a mix of extension services and community engagement activities.

The VGT encourages the responsible authority to use compliance to support coordinated on-ground action to control gorse.

VGT History

Establishing in 1999 the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) were formerly known as the Ballarat Region Gorse Task Force. At that time gorse was already widely established in the region and community concerns were growing.

Recognising more on ground action and landholder support were needed, prominent members of Landcare formed the Task Force. In the earlier years the group focused their efforts heavily on gorse extension services around Ballarat. Inroads made were well noticed in the community and shortly after with the help from the State Government the group expanded and shifted its focus state-wide, becoming the VGT.

The VGT have maintained a long-term partnership with the State Government who provides recurrent annual funding. The VGT now uses a mix of engagement, communication, and grants programs to support communities in effectively managing gorse across Victoria.

About VGT

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) was formed in 1999 with the launch of a community-based and integrated approach to reducing the impact of gorse across the landscape.

VGT Members

The Committee currently comprises land managers who have successfully controlled gorse on their land and in their communities, as well as representatives of Landcare groups, local government, agricultural industries and State Government departments.

Testimonials

VGT Strategy

VGT History

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