Ahead of the NSW state election on 25 March 2023, the NSW Government caretaker period has commenced. Limited updates will be made to this website during this period.
Small landholders
The essentials
There are certain actions a small landholder or hobby farmer MUST legally take to be biosecure. These are detailed in the Biosecurity Act 2015 and supporting legislation.
The laws cover things that are likely to have the biggest impact on our economy, environment or community. They include rules around:
- Priority weeds that MUST be reported - these are known as ‘State priority weeds’ and ‘prohibited matter’.
- Priority weeds that should not be sold or moved in certain Local Land Services regions of NSW - these are known as ‘Regional priority weeds’.
- Having the right accreditation, registrations, certificates and permits.
What can you do?
Weeds are a major threat to our unique natural environment, threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants and animals in NSW alone. They also impact on the price of food, human health through allergies and asthma, recreational activities and the NSW economy.
There are simple things you can do to help reduce the major impacts of weeds, and limit their spread.
Early detection and surveillance offer the most strategic and cost effective form of weeds management. Early detection of weeds increases the likelihood that control will be successful and reduces costs as infestations can be treated when they are less extensive.
You can help with early detection of weedy plants by knowing what to look for, where to look, when to look, and who to contact.
More about weeds
Your general biosecurity duty
By law biosecurity is everybody's business. Weeds threaten our biosecurity and come under the new Biosecurity Act in NSW.
Every person and organisation needs to do their bit to protect the economy, environment and community from the risks posed by weeds. This is now part of your "general biosecurity duty".
What can you do?
- use NSW WeedWise to find out about the biosecurity duties for weeds in your area
- talk to your local council weeds officer about weeds on your property
- control and prevent weeds spreading on and from your property
Visit the General biosecurity duty page for more information.
