Noxious Weeds

A noxious weed is a plant declared to be noxious under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. Noxious weeds can be agricultural weeds, environmental weeds, or have a direct impact on human health. 

The Act requires landholders to control noxious weeds and gives Council powers to control noxious weeds where a landholder fails to carry out their control obligations.

Impacts of Noxious Weeds
 
Human Health 
Exposure to pollen or plant material from some weeds can cause hay fever, asthma and dermatitis in susceptible people.   Some weeds are also poisonous to humans, and the spines or thorns of many weeds can cause physical injury. 

Biodiversity 
Many weeds can displace native vegetation and in some cases are a direct threat to the survival of threatened or endangered plants, animals and ecological communities. 

Waterways 
Aquatic weeds can choke and smother waterways, displace native plants, reduce oxygen levels, and threaten the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.   Aquatic weeds can also increase the risk of flooding, impede recreational activities such as swimming and boating, and reduce the aesthetic value of waterways. 

Agriculture 
Many weeds can reduce farm productivity by competing with pasture plants and crops, hindering cultivation and harvesting, contaminating produce, and poisoning or injuring livestock.   The cost of controlling weeds also has a significant economic impact on the agricultural industry. 

How are Plants declared Noxious Weeds? 

The Minister for Primary Industries may publish an order in the Government Gazette declaring a plant to be a noxious weed. A weed control order takes effect from the date of gazettal and remains in force for a period of up to 5 years specified in the order. 
 

Control of Noxious Weeds on Private Land
 
Under Section 12 of the Noxious Weeds Act 1993, private occupiers of land are required to control noxious weeds on their land as required under the control class or classes specified in relation to those weeds.  

If an occupier fails to comply with their weed control obligations Council may serve a weed control notice on the owner or occupier of the land, requiring the owner or occupier to carry out those obligations. 

If a person fails to comply with a weed control notice Council may enter the land and carry out the work at the person’s expense. 

Council may also prosecute offenders for breaches of the Act and inspectors may serve penalty notices for minor offences.
 
 
Control of Noxious Weeds on Public Land

Council and public authorities are required to control noxious weeds on land under their control. However, public authorities are only required to control noxious weeds to the extent necessary to prevent them from spreading to adjoining land.
 
 
Reporting Noxious Weeds

To report noxious weeds please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre, Phone: (02) 9952 8222.