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
Ron Cosgrave (Chair)	North Central CMA, Community Liaison Group
Brian Rowe (Treasurer)	Blampied-Kooroocheang Landcare Group
Peter Forster (Deputy Chair)	Upper Hopkins Land Management Group
Trish Kevin (Secretary)	Independent Community Representative
Margaret Hatton	Sunday Creek / Sugarloaf Sub-Catchments Inc
Brian Bainbridge	Hepburn Shire Council
Rod Sewell	Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group
Lisette Mill	Biodiversity Innovation Au
David Miralles	Good Neighbour Program - DEECA
Christina Boon	Independent Community Representative
Alan Denehey	Ashbourne Landcare Group
Peter Sporle	Pipers Creek Landcare Group
Nikolas Moll	Upper Hopkins Land Management Group/ Ararat Landcare Group

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

“I would certainly advise other Landcare networks, groups or individuals to apply for VGT funding its quite a simple process and the group involved are very supportive”.

Woady Yaloak Catchment Project

“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

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, community engagement activities and grants.

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 Structure

VGT History

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