Weeds

DISCLAIMER Important information concerning the interpretations of legislation and other policies is contained on this page. It is recommended that the Disclaimer be read in conjunction with the information provided

"Weeds are among the most serious threats to Tasmania's primary production and natural environment. They reduce farm and forest productivity, displace and degrade native species and communities, and contribute significantly to land and water degradation" (WeedPlan - the Tasmanian Weed Management Strategy).

A number of plants have been officially declared as weeds under the Weed Management Act 1999 because these plants are considered to have potential to reduce farm production, to degrade the State's natural or physical resources, to degrade ecological processes or to reduce the genetic diversity of native plants.

Councils are responsible for controlling weeds on their own property but are not responsible for weed management on all property. Under the Weed Management Act 1999 all landholders must take an active part in controlling or eradicating weeds on their property. Under Section 34 of the Act , councils may choose to employ a weed inspector to assist with weed management in their area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a weed?

2. Which plants have been declared as weeds in Tasmania?

3. If there are declared weeds on my land, what does it mean?

4. How do I identify the weeds in my area?

5. How do I control weeds?

6. Is there any funding assistance available to help control weeds on my land?

7. How do I remove the weeds?

8. What are the council's responsibilities regarding weeds?

9. Where can I go for further information?

1. What is a weed?

Weeds are plants that grow where they are not wanted. Nevertheless, what is a weed in one situation may be a valued plant under different circumstances.

Seventy-seven plants have been officially declared as weeds under the Weed Management Act 1999. These plants can cause, or have already caused:

• reduced farm production
• degradation of the State's natural or physical resources
• degradation of ecological processes, or
• reduction in the genetic diversity of native plants.

Once plants are declared weeds under the Act, there are restrictions on their trade, sale, import, movement and disposal.

Under Section 15 of the Act, a Weed Management Plan must be drawn up for each plant within 12 months of it being declared a weed. These Plans are produced by the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE), and go through a public consultation phase before becoming statutory plans under the Act.

Draft Weed Management Plans have been drawn up for all declared weeds and these set out restrictions and approaches for reducing or eradicating them. They apply equally to public and private landholders. The DPIWE Website shows all draft Weed Management Plans .

2. Which plants have been declared as weeds in Tasmania?

Seventy-seven plant species have been declared weeds under the Weed Management Act 1999 as at May 2003.

3. If there are declared weeds on my land, what does it mean?

The Weed Management Act 1999 puts obligations on all landholders, whether public and private, to actively control or eradicate any declared weeds on their property. Weed Management Plans provide detailed information on the legal obligations for landowners with declared weeds. This includes restrictions on:

• sale
• trade
• importation
• movement of declared weeds, or anything that may be contaminated by declared weeds.

It also includes requirements in relation to such things as boundary protection.

Basically, the Weed Management Act puts obligations on all landholders, both public and private, to take an active part in either controlling or eradicating the weeds on their property, as per the relevant Weed Management Plan. In areas where declared weeds have not yet been recorded, it is everyone's responsibility to prevent the weeds getting established and to look out for new infestations.

If you travel from areas interstate or overseas infected with declared weeds, it is important that you check all your belongings for seeds, fruit and plant matter, or get quarantine officials to check them when you arrive in Tasmania. The Plant Quarantine Act 1997 restricts the importation of some plants.

Weed inspectors can require action to be taken to remove weeds. Your local council can provide you with contact details for the weed inspector in your area. The weed inspector will be able to provide you with more detailed information on your legal obligations.

1) Helen Geard (Southern Midlands Weeds Strategy Co-ordinator - Landcare Unit) Ph 6254 5046,

2) Jack Lyall (Works Supervisor - Works & Services Dept), Ph: 6254 5000.

Note: Southern Midlands Council does not have a dedicated and accredited weed inspector, however both Officers listed above are available for weed related enquiries.

4. How do I identify the weeds in my area?

Southern Midlands Council can provide you with information brochures to help you identify weeds in your area. Contact Helen Geard - 6254 5046.

Council can also give you the contact details of community groups operating in the area such as Bushcare or Landcare groups, the Understorey Network or various 'Friends' groups, which are often involved in weed management activities.

The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) Website also has a lot of information on weeds, and provides identification assistance as well as information on control and management techniques.

There are several good publications around that have pictures of weeds:

• A Guide to Garden Plants that are Going Bush and Becoming Environmental Weeds in the Tamar Region; Environmental Weeds of Southern Tasmania.

These brochures are available through DPIWE Regional Weed Management Officers

• The Coastcare Manual has colour photos of a number of common coastal weeds and pictures of native plants that can look similar. If in doubt, do not pull it out - get advice first.

The Manual is available from the Tasmanian Environment Centre

105 Bathurst St. for $5.50. Ph: (03) 6234 5566

• Coastal Weeds of Tasmania; Are You Growing an Invader?

This publication is freely available through DPIWE's Coastal and Marine Branch. Ph: (03) 6233 3963.

• The Tasmanian Weed Handbook is to be updated soon.

Fact sheets on the control of declared weeds are available from DPIWE.

5. How do I control weeds?

There are a number of key steps to successful weed control:

• Plan weed control activities carefully.
• Find out the different options for weed removal before starting.
• Make weed control activities strategic - start in areas that have few weeds and gradually work in towards the main infestations.
• Concentrate on clearing weeds from areas that are mostly in good condition.
• Be prepared to sustain the effort. You could actually make the problem worse by clearing too much too soon and not doing enough follow-up work.
• Get adjacent land managers to work together to eradicate the weeds.

6. Is there any funding assistance available to help control weeds on my land?

Some weeds have been declared Weeds of National Significance and there is funding available, through the Federal Government, to remove them.

In Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) is responsible for the Weed Management Plans to control the following Weeds of National Significance:

• Serrated Tussock

Clarence City Council can provide further information on the Serrated Tussock Program. Ph: (03) 6245 8714

• Bridal creeper

• Boneseed

• Gorse, Blackberry , Willow

Contact Greening Australia Tasmania Inc on Ph: 03 6223 6377 for further information on Gorse, Blackberry and Willow projects.

Some other weeds, such as Rice grass, also have specific removal programs. Contact your DPIWE Regional Weed Management Officers for more information.

7. How do I remove the Weeds?

The actions you need to take to remove weeds in your area depend on:

• the weed(s) you are dealing with
• the environmental conditions.

Successful weed control requires consideration of both the characteristics of the plant as well as the context in which it is growing. What may be a successful and acceptable solution in one situation may be ineffective or inappropriate in another. Seek professional advice before undertaking weed control work.

Often an integrated approach that uses a combination of control methods is required to effectively deal with a weed. These methods may include:

• pulling or digging out by hand or by machine
• mulching or establishing competitive vegetation
• grazing, mowing or slashing
• spraying with appropriate herbicides.

When using chemicals:

• take adequate safety precautions, eg wear gloves and sturdy footwear
• always read the instructions on the label
• be particularly careful near lakes and waterways as some chemicals harm aquatic ecosystems.

Some weeds need a variety of methods to successfully remove them and some follow-up work will nearly always be required.

Contact your local DPIWE Regional Weed Management Officers , your council weed management officer or join a local community group to find out more.

1) Andrew Crane, Southern Region Weeds Management Officer, (Dept. Primary Industries Water & Environment) - Ph 6233 3650.

2) Southern Midlands Council Weeds Strategy Coordinator - Helen Geard (6254 5046) or

3) Jack Lyall, Works Coordinator - 6254 5000.

8. What are the Council's responsibilities regarding weeds?

Under the Weed Management Act 1999 , Weed Management Plans have been prepared for all declared weeds. These plans specify municipal areas where the weed must be eradicated and where the weed must at least be contained.

Weed Management Plans provide the legal framework by which weed law enforcement can occur. The Weed Management Plans in the Southern Midlands Council municipal area list the plants for eradication or control:

Note the weeds listed below will be subject to management in accordance with the priorities listed in the Southern Midlands Weeds Management Strategy and within budget constraints.

Declared Weeds relevant to Southern Midlands that could be eradicated from the State:

Botanical Name	Common Name
Allium vineale	Crow garlic*
Carduus nutans	Nodding thistle*
Cortaderia species	Pampas grass*
Datura species	Datura*
Hieracium species	Hawkweeds*
Onopordum species	Onopordum thistles*

The following 20 weeds are relatively widespread in Tasmania. The plan for each weed is separated into two zones. Each Municipality is categorised into one of two zones, being Eradication for Zone A municipalities, whereby eradication is the principle management objective, OR Containment for Zone B municipalities, whereby containment is the principle management objective.

In relation to the Southern Midlands, the following have been listed as Zone A or B weeds.

Zone A (eradication - principle objective)

Botanical Name	Common Name	Type of Weed	Distribution
Anthemis cotula	Stinking mayweed	Agricultural weed	No record
Chrysanthemoides monilifera	Boneseed	Environmental weed	No record
Elodea candensis	Canadian pondweed	Aquatic weed	No record
Nassella trichotoma	Serrated tussock	Agricultural/Environmental weed	No record
Cardaria draba	White weed	Agricultural weed	Isolated
Senecio jacobaea	Ragwort	Agricultural weed	Isolated

Zone B (containment - principle objective)

Botanical Name	Common Name	Type of Weed	Distribution
Carthamus lanatus	Saffron thistle	Agricultural weed	Localised
Cirsium arvense	Californian thistle	Agricultural weed	Localised
Cytisus scoparius	English broom	Environmental weed	Localised
Rubus fruticosus	Blackberry	Agricultural/Environmental weed	Localised
Ercia lusitanica	Spanish heath	Environmental weed	Localised
Carduus pynocephalus	Slender thistle	Agricultural weed	Widespread
Carduus tenuiflorus	Slender thistle	Agricultural weed	Widespread
Foeniculum vulgare	Fennel	Environmental weed	Widespread
Genista monspessulana	Montpellier broom	Environmental weed	Widespread
Lycium ferocissimum	African boxthorn	Agricultural/Environmental weed	Widespread
Marrubium vulgare	Horehound	Agricultural weed	Widespread
Salix species except S. babylonica, S. x. calodendron, S. x. reichardtii	Willow	Environmental weed	Widespread
Ulex europaeus	Gorse	Agricultural/Environmental weed	Widespread
Echium plantagineum	Paterson's curse	Agricultural weed	Widespread

A number of councils have prepared Weed Management Strategies that detail specific approaches to weed management within the municipality. There may also be an appointed weed inspector within council.

The Southern Midlands Council has adopted a Weeds Management Strategy specific to Southern Midlands. This Strategy is revised annually. The following information is an extract from the most recent - April 2003 edition.

A combination of the following factors is to be considered when determining priority areas for works:

- Controlling small and / or isolated outlying infestations;

- Infestations that are likely to spread rapidly (and infest new areas);

- Size of the infestation (it is often better to control smaller, more manageable infestations than to tackle larger ones);

- Council roadside reserve weed control program.

- Infestations threatening significant areas of high conservation value remnant vegetation;

- Infestations in and around urban/rural residential areas that pose a threat to surrounding remnant vegetation and agricultural land; and

- Capacity of adjacent land holders to fulfil criteria outlined in Appendix 4.

Other factors to be taken into account include:

- Local knowledge of the site (including information regarding usage and values of the site);

- Past history of the site (including previous control attempts);

- Available resources;

- Level of landholder support and commitment; and

- Common Sense!

Priorities for Weed Management in the Southern Midlands

Individual sites have been identified as high, medium or low priority for continued on-ground weed management action over the 2003/2004 financial year.

Following description of each site is an explanation of why is has been selected as a priority area for on-ground works.

Each site has been given a Site Code to enable it to be easily identified. Each Site Code also indicates the catchment where the site is located. This is to enable this information to be easily utilised in any current and future catchment planning.

The codes for each catchment are:

JC = Jordan River Catchment

BC = Blackman River Catchment

LSC = Little Swanport River Catchment

MC = Macquarie River Catchment

CC = Coal River Catchment

INVASIVE WEEDS

These weeds are known for their strong invasive ability. There are only small infestations currently in the Southern Midlands. The aim of targeting these weeds is to eradicate them completely from the Southern Midlands. Known locations have been included below. It is envisaged, however, that these weeds be appropriately dealt with wherever and whenever they are found across the Municipality.

Site Code	Site Details	Priority (High / Medium / Low) and Date	Weed Management Works Program (Yes / No)
LSC	SPANISH HEATH All areas, including the following, will be targeted in the 2003/2004 spraying period. Woodsdale Rd north of Cutting Grass Rd junction.	High
JC	PATERSONS CURSE The following areas require an on-going spraying program. Areas have been sprayed annually and this will continue. Blackbrush Rd, Mangalore Storeys Rd, Broadmarsh Mudwalls Rd, Campania (double culvert north of Lowdina Rd.)	High
All Areas	RAGWORT One infestation on a Tin Port Marsh Road property reported. Control work undertaken by landholder. This weed often comes in with hay and other livestock fodder or seed. It is highly invasive and any infestations should be controlled immediately upon notification.	High
All Areas	PAMPAS GRASS Some locations identified in Weed Mapping Database This is a prohibited weed. All infestations require eradication.	High
All Areas	WHITE WEED There are two known locations of White Weed in the Municipality. Inglewood Road (West of Old Mill Entrance) York Plains (Ross Greggs Road)	High

ROADSIDES

The SMC has conducted an extensive roadside spraying program for a number of years with gorse control a high priority. The program has been so successful that all gorse on roadsides has been sprayed at least once. The priority for 2003/2004 is to 'follow up' gorse control work and to target other priority weeds.

Unless otherwise specified, these weeds are on private land adjacent to the road named. Reasons for identifying the road as a priority are provided in dot point and are based on the criteria outlined in Appendices 1 and 4. The priority of each road and the inclusion of additional roads is to be updated annually at the commencement of the calendar year.

Site Code	Site Details	Priority (High / Medium / Low)	Status of control programs
JC	Gorse Control - Grice's Rd, Teatree - Predominately along fence line along roadside, therefore Council responsibility. - There is a vineyard approximately 1km away. However, site can be readily sprayed on a calm day. - Only patch of gorse in local vicinity.	High	Controlled follow up required
JC	Gorse Control - Interlaken Rd, Oatlands - Council undertaken extensive gorse control over last 2 years, opportunity to involve interested landholders adjoining road (many of whom have are involved in extensive weed management program on their properties); - Landholders keen to be involved; - Council Reserve (Old Accommodation Paddock) at the end of the road an important component of the Bushcare Strategy re-vegetation corridor.	High	Roadside and private control. One section remains to be controlled
JC	Gorse / Broom Control at Council Tip Site - Inglewood Rd, Oatlands Council responsibility. On edge of fenced off remnant bush. - Landholder currently undertaking weed management along roadside edge of remnant. High traffic site, many opportunities for spread. - Within Bushcare Strategy re-vegetation corridor links.	High	Control work continues
JC/MC/ LSC	Gorse Control - Inglewood Rd from Tunnack Rd to Lemont Rd junction. Extensive Council spraying program to date - Supportive landholder, many of whom are already involved in weed management / Landcare projects - Incorporates upper Little Swanport Catchment (links in with Little Swanport Catchment Management Planning) - Incorporates significant sections of the Bushcare Strategy re-vegetation corridors.	Medium	Control work continues
JC	Gorse Control - Council Quarry, Interlaken Road, Oatlands - Quarry is still in use, with materials being used in road building. High likelihood of weed seed spread. - Opportunity to work with interested adjoining landholder in maintaining a buffer area around the quarry. -	High	Controlled - follow up required
LSC	Gorse / Broom Control - Stonehenge Rd. - Council have sprayed roadside gorse over the last 2 years - This is the eastern most extent of broom in this part of the Municipality - The majority of landholders along this road are involved in remnant bush protection projects - Within Bushcare Strategy re-vegetation corridor links. - Most infestations are small and isolated making complete control possible	Medium	Gorse and broom controlled along the roadside
JC/CC	Gorse / Blackberries - Mud Walls Rd from Midlands Hwy to Campania. - Joint responsibility: public and private land. - Gorse along has been controlled previously, therefore only smaller patches surviving. - Very little adjacent gorse, making complete control possible. - Only a few isolated patches of blackberries along fence lines - control before these spread.	Medium	Roadside control works required - State Government responsibility.
	Gorse / Broom - Nala Road from Inglewood to York Plains Road - Inglewood Road junction to railway line crossing, gorse and small broom infestations require follow up spraying	High	Follow up spraying will continue
	Gorse / Blackberries / Broom - Tunnack Road - Significant gorse infestations scattered in paddocks along road. - Small broom infestations is starting to grow - Dulverton Corridor Re-vegetation Project requires weed spraying	Medium	Private landholders will again be asked to participate
	Gorse / Blackberries / Broom - Stonor Road - Only one significant gorse infestation remains along Stonor Road.	High	Successful control along roadside and on private property
	Old Midland Highway Road - Gorse control work required along road and on the surrounding private property.	Medium	Control work required.
	Crown land laneways (South Western area of Oatlands) - Work in conjunction with DPIWE, Council and landholders to manage gorse in and either side of gazetted lane ways.	High

RIVERS

Weed control along rivers should proceed from upstream to downstream to avoid re-contaminating "clean" areas. Rivers and their priority ratings have been determined using the criteria outlined in Appendices 1 and 4. Specific reasons are outlined in the dot points below. Priorities and the addition of new rivers should be reviewed annually.

Due to funding constraints, weed control works along rivers are not a priority for the 2003/2004 financial year. The following rivers are identified as priority work areas should the funding situation change and works can progress.

Site Code	Site Details	Priority (High / Medium / Low) and Date
JC	Jordan River - work identified in the Jordan Rivercare Plan	Medium
MC	Currajong Rivulet - gorse and willows in conjunction with railway, old Hwy and New Hwy. Could be used as a promotional site - quite complicated.	Low
JC	Assorted Weed Control - Bagdad Rivulet, upstream from East Bagdad Rd. - This is the upper most extent of a very weedy section through the township. - Clearing the weeds from here would be a start towards enhancing the Bagdad School Project further down stream. - Control should only be undertaken with full community support and commitment.	Medium
MC	Gorse Control - Lightwood Creek, Andover - Only a short watercourse. Approximately 8km long, running through 3 properties. - Few dense infestations along upper reaches. - TasRail have burnt heaviest infestation at railway overpass. - Landholder at bottom end of stream has already instigated strategic control program.	Medium/Low
MC	Gorse Control - Tin Dish Rivulet - Keen landholders, who are already involved in Landcare/weed management activities; - Fenced off areas of remnant vegetation on adjoining landholder properties; - All threatened areas of remnant riparian vegetation along the Tin Dish Rivulet have been identified Priority A in the Northern Midlands Vegetation Management Strategy; - Already a 30m watercourse protection special area as a part of the Municipal Planning Scheme; - Within SM Bushcare Strategy re-vegetation corridor links. - Has been identified by Bushweb as a priority area for large-scale remnant protection works.	High/ Medium
BC	Willow Removal - Blackman River, downstream from "Cheam" Dam, Tunbridge - Willows suspected of contributing to flooding of Tunbridge township - All threatened areas of remnant riparian vegetation along the Blackman River have been identified Priority A in the Northern Midlands Vegetation Management Strategy; - Already a 40m watercourse protection special area as a part of the current Municipal Planning Scheme; - Opportunity to work together with the Northern Midlands.	High

REMNANTS

Due to funding constraints, weed control works in remnant bush areas is not a priority for the 2003/2004 financial year. If external funds become available, then this will enable works to proceed in the following areas:

Site Code	Site Details	Priority (High / Medium / Low) and Date
All areas	Control of gorse - remnants fenced for conservation management	Low

RAILWAY

Due to funding constraints, weed control works along the railway is not a priority for the 2003/2004 financial year. Weed infestations along the railway line have been identified by section as detailed in the table below, should the funding situation change and work can progress.

Section 1 Tunbridge to junction of Tunbridge Main Rd. and Midlands Hwy.

Section 2 Midlands Hwy Junction to Little Plains Rd

Section 3 Little Plains Rd to Glen Morey Rd.

Section 4 Glen Morey Rd to Antil Ponds

Section 5 Antil Ponds to Sorell Springs Rd.

Section 6 Sorell Springs Rd to

Section 7 to Inverell Rd crossing

Section 8 Inverell Rd crossing to Nala Rd crossing

Section 9 Nala Rd crossing to Andover

Section 10 Andover to Parattah

Section 11 Parattah to Stonor

Section 12 Stonor to Tiberias Rd

Section 13 Tiberias Rd to Rhyndaston

Section 14 Rhyndaston to Mudwalls Rd crossing

Section 15 Mudwalls Rd crossing to Colebrook

Site Code	Site Details		Priority (High / Medium / Low) and Date
MC	Section 6: Gorse in Gully with Tin Dish Rivulet	High/ Medium
MC	Section 9: Gorse patches all along	Medium/Low
MC	Section 10: Broom patches south of Andover	Medium/Low

Criteria for Landholder Involvement in On-ground Weed Management Works Programs

The Southern Midlands Landcare has funding available to support landholders in undertaking weed control activities in some of the priority areas identified in Appendix 1: Weed Management Priorities.

Landholders adjoining or owning the identified priority areas may be contacted and given the opportunity to be involved in a coordinated Weed Management Works Program (WMWP). Each WMWP will be developed in conjunction with the participating individuals and organisations.

A number of options for involvement would be available for landholders. These would be negotiated between the Landholder and the Weed Strategy Coordinator. Funding will be available for landholders to control specific weed infestations. Integrated Weed Management will direct any on-ground works, which may involve Chemical, Biological, and / or Mechanical techniques depending upon the area. Negotiations will depend upon:

- The weed infestation being considered (weed species, size and location of infestation etc);

- Amount and availability of funding; and the

- Level of commitment (time and resources) available.

Binding agreements between the Southern Midlands Municipality and the landholder are to be prepared and signed prior to any on-ground works commencing. All agreements must contain a provision for on going weed management of the site for a minimum of five-years.

Funding (if available) will need to fit the following criteria for works on private land:

Roads (only priority area to be funded in the 2003/04 financial year)

• Up to 30m from a road fence line, only if the infestation beyond 30m is less than 10% density.

Railways (funding not currently available to cover this area)

• Up to 30 m either side of a railway only if the infestation beyond 30m is less than 10% density, and if control work along the railway is being undertaken within the same season by the appropriate authority.

Remnant Bush (Funding not currently available to cover this area)

• Funding is available for the removal of weeds from within areas of remnant bushland that are fenced off through the Southern Midlands Bushcare Strategy, the Fencing Incentive Scheme or any other NHT program. The removal of weeds that pose an invasion threat to the remnants can also be funded. Weeds within a distance of 100 metres from the perimeter of the remnant are considered a threat.
• In remnant bush that has previously been fenced by the landholder at their own expense, funding is also available for weed removal within the remnant and around the perimeter, provided they enter into a five (5) year management agreement.

Riparian (Funding not currently available to cover this area)

• Up to 30m either side of a waterway, only if the infestation beyond 30m is less than 10% density. Variations to this criteria will be considered by the Weed Strategy Coordinator after consultation with relevant professionals and stakeholders.

Funds available to landholders

Funding for weed control work in the 2003/04 financial year is limited. The maximum contribution a landholder can receive is $800 worth of chemical per year. The chemical will be provided to a registered spraying contractor and the landholder will be responsible for paying labour costs. This contribution will apply to any spraying work conducted in accordance with the road funding criteria in the priority areas identified for works.

For further information contact Council's Weeds Strategy Co-ordinator - Helen Geard on 6254 5046.

Councils have some obligations under Section 39 of the Local Government (Highways) Act 1982, to keep roadsides clear of vegetation that may obstruct sightlines or become dangerous, including weedy vegetation.

9. Where can I go for further information?

Contact the Weed Management Section in the Resource Management and Conservation Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment at GPO Box 44, HOBART 7001 or phone: 1300 368 550.

Three DPIWE Regional Weed Management Officers can provide advice and assistance on weed management. Contact details are

In the North: 165 Westbury Road PROSPECT TAS 7249

Phone: (03) 6336 5429

In the North-West: Stoney Rise Government Offices, DEVONPORT TAS 7310. Phone: (03) 6421 7654

In the South; 134 Macquarie Street HOBART TAS 7000.

Phone: (03) 6233 3650.

For further information, have a look at the Australian Weeds search website