Local government responsibility for weeds
Local government has a legal responsibility for managing weeds across their lands under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
Local councils that are the local control authorities for weeds under the Act must deliver specific weed management functions and:
- appoint and support staff as authorised officers under the Act
- inspect lands for high-risk weeds and seek compliance with the Act from owners/occupiers,
- educate their communities about weeds risk and best practice weeds management,
- control high-risk weeds
- submit reports about these activities to the Biosecurity Information System as per the NSW Metadata Standard
- participate in regional strategic weeds management through their Regional Weed Committee.
Local government weed management priorities should be guided by the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans.
Weeds and the Biosecurity Act - A handbook for local councils and councillors
This handbook is aimed at local councils and councillors.
Topics covered include;
- Local government and weeds management
- The Biosecurity Act and local government
- The role of authorised officers
- Training
- Other stakeholders in NSW weeds management
- Additional information
Weeds management standard
The Standard for Weed Management Capacity in NSW describes the components that local control authorities should have in place to manage weed risk effectively. The department will audit local control authorities against the Standard and support them to meet the Standard.
Weeds Action Program
The NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP) provides funding to local government for weeds. Eligible activities include:
- Early detection of high-risk weeds through inspections and surveillance of high risk sites and pathways.
- Responding to biosecurity emergencies.
- Eradication and containment of high-risk weeds.
- Increasing the capacity of the community to identify, report and manage weeds.
Training
Authorised officers have diverse and often difficult roles. Access to ongoing training and professional development is crucial. Full or part qualification in Certificate IV Government Investigations and part or full Qualifications in Certificate to Diploma level qualifications in Conservation and Land Management (weeds specialisation) is recommended. The department also supports delivery of non-accredited training to enhance weeds management outcomes.
NSW Weeds Action Program 2024-2025
Weeds Action Program regional sub-program funding arrangements are available through a closed, non-competitive grant application process. The 2024-2025 Program Guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found at the NSW Government Grants and Funding webpage.
The objective of the Program is to deliver funding to Local Control Authorities for weeds to enable them to undertake activities that:
- prevent the establishment of new State and regional priority weeds
- eliminate or prevent the spread of State and regional priority weeds
- and ensure NSW has the ability and commitment to manage State and regional priority weeds.
This program is funded and administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Applications close 4.00pm Wednesday 19 February 2025.
Additional information
Biosecurity Regulation 2017 - Weeds
