This tender is for the provision of roadside weed and pest management for the period from contract award to 30 June 2026. A further two 12-month extensions will be available, dependent on funding, to conclude on 30 June 2028.

The contractor is responsible for all associated works in accordance with this scope of works, including the supply of all labour, plant hire and materials.

The contractor is required to obtain all necessary permits, including Working in Road Reserve (no fee applicable) and service authority approvals, prior to commencing work.

The contractor is to work in collaboration with Ararat Rural City Council, DJSIR, Upper Hopkins Land Management Group, Ararat Landcare Group, Project Platypus, Moyston Landcare Group, Elmhurst Landcare Group, Crowlands Landcare Group, Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group and Watgania Landcare Group to undertake this work.

Under the current government compliance, roadside land managers are required to undertake Weed and Pest control works.

The weeds listed are known to exist along the roadsides indicated in the Ararat Rural City Council area. This is by no means a comprehensive list of works to be undertaken, as additional roads or sites may be added throughout the contract.

This contract requires the treatment of Regionally Prohibited Weed infestations and the containment or reduction in area of infestations of Regionally Controlled Weeds, in addition, Weeds of National Significance – Chilean Needle Grass (Restricted), when able, will have control works undertaken around Moyston township (roads).

Weed controls are to be prioritised based on Regionally Prohibited and Regionally Controlled species known to exist in the Wimmera Catchment Management (WCM) area and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management (GHC) area, within the bounds of the Ararat Rural City Council municipality.

If resources allow, the Principal may nominate further work on additional Regionally Restricted weeds. Further work shall be valued as a variation to the contract.

In Victoria, invasive animals are classified under the Catchment and Land Protection Act, 1994 (CaLP Act, 1994). Landowners (Councils) have a legal responsibility to control declared and established pest animals under Section 20(1)(f) of the Act.

The European Rabbit is known to exist along roadsides (burrows) – not specified ­– in the Ararat Rural City Council area. Where infestations occur, treatment, if possible, is to be undertaken.