IVMP Research
IVMP is a collaborative research and development project designed to draw on current knowledge and practice, both nationally and internationally. The project aims to evaluate and confirm the most successful methods in resolving specific vegetation management problems in Australia.
The primary purpose of this project is to integrate vegetation management decision-making processes into vegetation management planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
Current situation
This project recognises that asset administrators and managers often face problems for which potential solutions may exist, either in documented form or as undocumented experience and practice.
This information may be fragmented, scattered, and unevaluated. As a consequence, full knowledge of what has been learned about a problem may not be brought to bear on its solution. Costly research findings may go unused, valuable experience may be overlooked, and due consideration may not be given to recommended practices for solving or alleviating the problem.
IVMP research objectives
The main project objective is to conduct research to identify and test a range of best practises, technologies and tools that deliver:
| 1. |
An environmentally, socially and economically sustainable model for managing mown vegetation in public open spaces and roadsides, |
| 2. |
Proven strategies for improving the quality of the managed area, |
| 3. |
Cost-effective management strategies for areas populated by predominantly undesirable grasses, |
| 4. |
Identification of the plant species most appropriate for a given situation, and |
| 5. |
Management strategies that reduce inputs, maintenance requirements, erosion and the spread of weed seed. |
IVMP research methodology
This project will review, trial, and develop vegetation management techniques and develop best management practices integrated into an effective IVMP to suit the Australian environment.
The project will identify the most appropriate vegetation management practices for:
• Mown open spaces (urban and non-urban)
• Mown roadside vegetation (urban and non-urban)
• Amenity turf and sports turf environments
In undertaking this project, consideration will be given towards agency policies and procedures, State laws and regulations, costs and benefits, environmental impacts, public opinion, methods of vegetation management, implementation, revegetation, effectiveness and best management practices.
An experienced and qualified Project Team will focus on three vegetation classifications that will best represent species composition across all managed environments including roadsides, parklands, amenity turf and sportsfields. These classifications are:
1. Desirable monoculture
2. Mixed species predominantly desirable
3. Mixed species predominantly undesirable grasses
The variance in species composition offers challenges that must be addressed if each vegetation classification is to be appropriately managed. Different problems require innovative solutions, many of which will be developed during the life of the project.
To ensure that the project outcomes meet the requirements of the amenity horticulture and roadside vegetation environments, strategies will be put in place that will ensure that the IVMP is readily adaptable to the environment in which it is implemented.
The overriding strategy of the IVMP process is the sustainable management of all classifications of vegetation and the improvement of undesirable species composition to that of desirable, more manageable species composition.
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