It is estimated that weeds cost the Australian Community around $3.3 billion per annum in control costs, lost production, and the contamination of produce and loss of biodiversity. (CSIRO report 2001)

Up to 70% of weeds are introduced intentionally, for example as ornamental plants, as crops or as pasture species. The other 30% being introduced accidentally or on rare occasions on purpose. There are about 1000 introduced plants that are considered weed species, and new species are being added each year. They are a threat to agricultural production, animal and human health and to our native flora and fauna.

Media Releases

For information on pesticides

Bush Friendly Gardens

Weed Information sheets

Weeds of the Hunter & Central Coast Catalogue (CDROM)

Posters & Fact Sheets

Regional Weeds Event Calendar (2008-2009)

Noxious Weeds

Certain plants have been declared as Noxious under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. This act makes it an offence to grow, propagate or sell plants that are declared noxious, and makes provision of how they should be controlled. Local Councils are the Local Control Authorities and have the responsibility to enforce the Noxious Weeds Act (For a complete list of plants declared in your area go to http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/weeds/noxweed or contact your local Council)

Class 1 noxious weeds such as Chinese violet glory lily and some undeclared species such as Glory Lily may be extremely rare and their presence considered a serious issue. If infestation are found they must be reported to the Local Control Authority or NSW Agriculture.

Environmental Weeds

These are plants that may be a local problem or do not fit the criteria to be declared as noxious. They include such plants as Privet, Lantana, Bridal creeper and others. There is no legal requirement to control these plants, however Councils and other environment organizations will recommend that control measures be implemented. Contact your local Council for more information. Some environmental weeds, such as glory lily (mentioned above) may be considerable problems but have not been declared.

Many plants like Green Cestrum (right) have been introduced as garden plants, they adapted to our climate and escaped to become a major weed.

What is being done to combat these weeds?

At a regional level a 'Regional weed management Strategy' has been developed and Councils and State Authorities have endorsed this and are implementing actions as listed under the Strategy. Also Regional Weed Management Plans have been developed for a number of plants (These include Alligator weed, Blackberry, Green Cestrum, Water Hyacinth. Salvinia, Pampas Grass and Giant Parramatta Grass) Under these plans Councils and State Authorities have agreed to cooperate in controlling these at a regional level.

At a local level all Councils and State Authorities have management programs for weeds not covered by regional plans. Plants such as Madeira vine (right) may Cause allergic reactions.

Biological control

Councils and other organizations support the use of insects or pathogens to control unwanted weeds. CSIRO and NSW Agriculture are conducting research into finding suitable agents overseas that could be useful in controlling some of the major weed species. Considerable testing is undertaken before agents are released to ensure that they will not attack useful plants. Councils and other groups assist by selecting suitable release sites and monitoring results.