Parthenium - our greatest threat

Parthenium weed carriers: Keep NSW parthenium-free

Parthenium weed is a prohibited plant in NSW under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015. It's a major threat to the agricultural industry and the community because it:

• causes respiratory problems and causes severe dermatitis
• contaminates grain
• is unpalatable and toxic to livestock
• reduces crop yields
• can taint meat or milk
• outcompetes pastures
• is a host plant for crop viruses.

Approximately 60 million hectares of Queensland are affected by parthenium weed. To protect NSW from the devastating impacts of parthenium weed, the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 prohibits certain machinery, vehicles and equipment that has been used in QLD from being imported into NSW from QLD unless the operator has:

• cleaned the machinery/equipment in a manner that is consistent with the manner set out below and in Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) 2019 (BOPA), AND
• presented the machinery/equipment for inspection by a NSW DPI inspector at an approved facility, AND
• provided a Record of Movement to a NSW Department of Primary Industries inspector.

Operators that meet these requirements are issued with a Carrier Biosecurity Certificate that certifies the requirements of the BOPA have been met. The penalty for importing parthenium weed carriers intro NSW from QLD without meeting with requirements of the BOPA starts at $1,000 for an on-the-spot fine and can reach $220,000 if court proceedings ensue.

All vehicle and machinery operators should clean their machines and vehicles before they leave a farm or mine and before approaching the NSW/QLD border. Parthenium seed is very small, so machines and vehicles should be cleaned with a high-volume air compressor. Water jets should be used only for mud and other contaminants that will not yield to air treatment.

Parthenium weed seed is small and can remain trapped in inaccessible parts of harvesters and other farm and mineral exploration machinery and vehicles. Any maintenance or repairs that require the loosening of mechanical or structural components can dislodge parthenium weed seed. For any repairs then, the harvester should be removed from the crop and taken to an area that does not favour seedling establishment and that can be frequently inspected by the property owner. A gravelled area is ideal. Property owners should be informed about this location and advised to inspect the area regularly.

Property owners and occupiers: Keep NSW parthenium-free

Any person living in NSW that introduces the following vehicles and equipment onto the land they manage should check whether they are clean and free of mud, hay and grain before allowing them onto their property:

• grain harvesters (including the comb or front)
• comb trailers (including the comb or front)
• bins used for holding grain during harvest operations
• augers or similar equipment used for moving grain
• vehicles used for transporting grain harvesters
• vehicles used as support vehicles with grain harvesters and that have been driven in paddocks during harvest operations
• mineral exploration drilling rigs and vehicles used for transporting those rigs.

Ask the operator whether the machinery and equipment has been used in QLD, and if it has, ask to see a copy of the Biosecurity Certificate issued by DPI at the NSW/QLD border. Check your property regularly for parthenium weed seedlings and if you think you have found parthenium weed, call 1800 680 244 or your local council weeds biosecurity officer.

Parthenium weed areas in Queensland

Parthenium weed infestations in Queensland are most likely to occur in the shires of Central Highlands, Izaac, Whitsunday, Charters Towers, Rockhampton, Maranoa and North Burnett. Isolated infestations occur in other areas so operators of grain harvesting machinery should inquire locally to avoid harvesting crops that contain parthenium weed.

Border crossing sites - agricultural machinery

Please note:
All offices require 48 hours’ notice of your intention to present machinery for inspection. To notify offices, ring and leave a message on the answering service. Machinery can only be inspected during daylight hours.

Cleaning checklist

Operators of grain harvesting machinery must remove all soil and plant material from the following areas of grain harvesters.

Numbers that appear in the diagram are described in the list below. At the border, you will be required to sign a declaration that each of the areas listed have been cleaned. You should also clean any other areas of a machine or vehicle that capable of carrying plant material. This checklist is provided for your convenience so that you can keep a record as your machine is cleaned