Pest plant species - 2006Home | Biodiversity |Conserving Biodiversity | Pest Plant Species | 2006 Noxious Weed Control Report 2005/06Council is responsible under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 to ensure that all weeds declared noxious in this area are controlled on both private property and on land under the care and control of Council as well as other land managed by other authorities. Under this Act Council’s main tasks are to carry out regular inspection of private properties, to identify noxious weeds on the property and ensure that the property owner or occupier implements effective control measures. Council assists the property owner by advising what are effective chemicals and what control measures can be implemented; Council must ensure that these control measures are carried out in a timely manner by issuing Noxious Weed Notices where necessary. This ensures that noxious weeds are controlled in a uniform manner across the whole of the City, thus ensuring maximum efficiency. Council is also responsible for controlling noxious weeds on land under its care and control. Council has two spray vehicles which are used to carrying out roadside spraying as well as spraying for private property owners when requested. (Photo 1)
Photo 1 - One of Councils Spray VehiclesCouncil’s Noxious Weed control budget is $460,000 annually. These funds are made up of grants from NSW Department of Primary Industries and Council’s contribution. Additional funds are provided in the form of special grants from various sources, such as State and Federal Government programs aimed at controlling weeds and creating weed resilient landscapes. In March of this year the State Government made significant amendments to the Noxious Weeds Act. These amendments added new weeds to the noxious weeds list and changed some of the ways in which weeds are classified and managed. Weeds are now placed in five (5) different classes which group weeds of similar threat potential together (previously weeds were grouped in similar control categories). There have been some significant additions of noxious weeds particularly to Class 5 weeds such as Bridal Creeper, Fountain Grass, Lantana, some species of Oxalis and Onion Grass. Weeds in Class 5 found to be growing on private property need to be notified to Council but will only be required to be controlled if a viable control program is operating within close proximity. Some of our noxious weeds pose a threat to rural industries; these weeds include Blackberry, African Lovegrass, Serrated Tussock, Fireweed, Giant Parramatta Grass and Crofton Weed. (Photo 2 & 3)
Photo 2 - Blackberry
Photo 3 - Giant Parramatta GrassOther noxious weeds pose a threat to the natural environment, examples here are Bitou Bush, Boneseed, Broad and Narrow Leaf Privet, Bridal Creeper, Lantana and Pampas Grass. (Photo 4 & 5)
Photo 4 - Bitou Bush
Photo 5 - Bridal CreeperOther noxious weeds pose a danger to human health and the environment; these weeds include the Rhus Tree which can cause skin and respiratory ailments and skin lesions in susceptible people. Broad and Narrow Leaf Privet causes respiratory problems in susceptible people when the plants are in flower. (Photo 6 & 7)
Photo 6 - Narrow Leaf Privet
Photo 7 - Broad Leaf PrivetThere are many other weeds that pose a threat to the natural environment that are not declared noxious, control of these types of weeds is carried out by Council through its Bushcare network, which is discussed later in this report. Marine Pest Plants NSW Fisheries is the agency responsible for managing marine pests in NSW. The invasive marine plant, cold tolerant Caulerpa taxifolia threatens coastal ecosystems in NSW. By growing quickly, it over runs seagrasses and alters marine habitats. Caulerpa taxifolia can easily be spread. Pieces that break off can start whole new plants. Even after a week out of water, if in a warm damp place such as a wetsuit or anchor well, pieces can start a new plant. How to recognise it: The fronds can be 5 to 65 cm in length.
Photo: Alan Millar, Royal Botanic Gardens, SydneyReport sightings of Caulerpa taxifolia to NSW
Fisheries on (02) 8437 4953. Source and further information: NSW Fisheries: www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au Caulerpa taxifolia In the Shoalhaven This marine pest has been identified in Lake Conjola, Burrill Lake, Narrawallee Inlet and St Georges Basin. The algae appears to have been present in Lake Conjola for at least 10 years, and has spread in the lake to the stage where it has covered much of the aquatic vegetation and substrate around the lake margins and shallow areas. NSW Fisheries are undertaking monitoring, containment and control works in line with the aims and objectives of the Caulerpa Control Plan (available from NSW Fisheries). Council contributes in-kind support to these efforts as requested, such as assisting with education campaigns and mailouts. Additionally Council has provided wash down bays at key public access sites to affected estuaries to minimize the risk of spread. Regular audits are carried out and replacement equipment and refinements or additions to signage carried out. Home | Biodiversity |Conserving Biodiversity | Pest Plant Species | 2006
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