What is a weed?

A weed is a plant growing in an area it is not wanted. A plant that is considered as a weed to one group may not always be classed as a weed by everyone.

Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a particular situation as they may threaten agricultural productivity, have detrimental effects on the natural environment or impact on human health.

Weeds are often divided into broad groups: noxious weeds, environmental weeds, agricultural weeds, Weeds of National Significance (WONS) and National Environmental Alert List weeds.

We have found a new weed - how should we identify it?

People wanting a weed positively identified before deciding on a relevant management option should contact their local council weeds officer in the first instance. Other relevant contacts are also your local nursery, local agribusiness agronomist or NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) District Agronomist.

Who should we contact about the management of a weed?

People seeking technical information on weed control in crops and pastures should be directed to an agronomist. Many rural merchants and stock agents now employ agronomists and there are numerous private agronomists. People seeking information on the control of a noxious weed should contact their local council.

People wishing to complain about control programs of a council or of a government agency should firstly be directed to that council or agency. If they are unhappy with the response they should then be directed to the relevant DPI Invasive Species Officer.

Who has the responsibility for noxious weed management in NSW?

In NSW, the Minister for Primary Industries is responsible for the legislation concerning noxious weeds but the implementation is vested in councils through the Noxious Weeds Act 1993.

The implementation of noxious weed control in NSW has been the responsibility of councils since 1906.

What are the main duties of Council’s in noxious weed management?

• Ensuring occupiers of private land fulfil their obligations under the Act.
• Inspection of land within their area in connection with noxious weeds.
• Enforcing the control of noxious weeds as per the control category.
• Weed management on land occupied by the council and on roads in their area.
• Publicity about weeds declared in the area.
• Proposing changes to noxious weed declarations.
• Developing, implementing and coordinating local strategies and policies.
• Providing ongoing approved training and professional development for weed staff.
• Providing adequate resources to implement noxious weed programs.

What is a noxious weed?

The most widely accepted definition of a weed is 'a plant growing where it is not wanted'.

In NSW, noxious weeds are plants that have been declared under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 by the Minister for Primary Industries.  Weeds with the potential to impact on agriculture, animal or human health or damage the environment are potential candidates for declaration as noxious weeds.

The Act gives the council power to require occupiers of land to control noxious weeds.  If an occupier fails to do so, the council has the power to enter the land and to carry out the control work.  The council can also issue a penalty notice or take prosecution action for offences under the Act.

The main intent of the Act is to restrict the spread of serious weeds and protect other landholders from weed invasion.

There is no point in declaring a weed noxious unless there is a firm intention to implement a practical, planned management program.

Declaring a weed noxious does not, in itself, provide any benefits to the community.

Are noxious weeds simply 'bad' weeds?

A weed is declared noxious because its control will provide a benefit to the community over and above the cost of implementing control programs.

Many 'bad' weeds do not meet the criteria for declaration.  Noxious weeds will have limited distribution with the potential to become more widespread and will cause impact on agriculture, human health or the environment.

Councils should regularly review their noxious weeds list to ensure that declarations are relevant and continue to be in the public interest.

Should widespread weeds be declared noxious?

Declaring a weed noxious does not, in itself, control a weed or provide benefits to the community.  This requires a practical, well-planned, cost-effective program of management to be implemented.

How does the declaration process work?

A proposal for a new or changed declaration is considered by the Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee (NWAC) who then make a recommendation to the Minister. Members of the public and community groups are also able to initiate applications to change noxious weed declarations.

The Minister makes an order declaring a weed noxious, specifying the control category and area to which the declaration applies.

Once a weed is declared noxious, should it remain so forever?

The distribution, incursion, control techniques and impact of noxious weeds is constantly changing and declarations need to be reviewed on a regular basis, particularly where new weeds occur.

Can weed control be effective without a management plan?

Weed management will be more effective and economical if it is well planned and based on sound advice. An effective program to manage a specific weed requires planning that defines responsibilities and goals, draws on the latest advances in weed science and combines specific activities to ensure the problem is resolved efficiently.

Do Councils have a responsibility to control noxious weeds on land that they control?

Councils are also occupiers of land, and in addition to their responsibilities as local control authorities, are required to comply with the same obligations as occupiers of privately owned land.

What is the role of the Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee?

The Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC) is established under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 to:

• Provide a forum for all matters relating to the control of noxious weeds in NSW.
• Provide advice to the Minister on all noxious weed matters.
• Recommend to the Minister the allocation of noxious weeds grants and ensure public authorities are accountable for those funds, and
• Recommend to the Minister plant species to be declared as noxious weeds.

In addition to providing advice to the Minister and DPI, committee members are expected to keep their organisations informed about developments and issues concerning noxious weeds and to assist in publicising weed issues.