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 NSW Department of Primary Industries 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 access to funding to assist local government manage weeds. Eligible activities address the objectives of the NSW Invasive Species Plan. For example:
- Early detection of high-risk weeds through routine inspections and surveillance.
- Eradication and containment of high-risk weeds through on-ground control.
- 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. NSW DPI also supports delivery of non-accredited training to enhance weeds management outcomes.
Additional information
Biosecurity Regulation 2017 - Weeds
