Control invasive weeds

Learn how to prevent, eradicate, and contain weeds on your land. This will help protect the environment, crops and economy from the damaging impact of weeds. It will also help you meet your biosecurity duty as a landholder in NSW.

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Act on weeds now

Identify weeds

Stop the spread

Learn control techniques

Care with hay and fodder

Vehicle and machine hygiene

Weed guides including regions

Risks and responsibilities for landholders

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For farmers and landholders, weeds pose a serious risk. They can:

  • harm native plants and animals, water catchments and agriculture
  • have a negative impact on the economy, human health and recreational activities
  • compete with native plant species for nutrients, water, sunlight and space
  • form dense areas of vegetation that shade and smother other native species.

There are certain actions a small landholder or hobby farmer must legally take to be biosecure (under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and supporting legislation). 

These include rules around:

  • priority weeds that MUST be reported - known as ‘State priority weeds’ and ‘prohibited matter’
  • priority weeds that should be targeted and not be sold or moved in certain regions of NSW - known as ‘Regional priority weeds’
  • having the right accreditation, registrations, certificates and permits.

If not dealt with early, weeds can reduce productivity, increase control costs and have impacts beyond your property boundary.

Weeds and your General Biosecurity Duty

Managing weeds is part of the General Biosecurity Duty for NSW landholders.

Any person who deals with plants and knows of a biosecurity risk has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised.

When it comes to controlling weeds, early detection and regular surveillance are key.

This video explains how taking action on weeds is part of your General Biosecurity Duty and why early control matters. 

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General Biosecurity Duty and weeds

Read transcript
Video transcript

General Biosecurity Duty and weeds

Weeds they can have damaging effects on agriculture, the environment and communities.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 we all have a General Biosecurity Duty to prevent the spread of weeds.

This also applies if you deal with plants, equipment, or vehicles that could carry weed seeds or fragments, as weeds commonly spread through contaminated machinery and stock movements.

Weeds can impact farms in many ways including reducing pasture and crop yields, threatening livestock health, and damaging soil and the environment.

It can even affect market access.

Control weeds early to keep them manageable and help reduce costs.

Weeds have the potential to affect parts of New South Wales in different ways, so they're prioritised based on their potential harm.

The management of these weeds is set out in local, regional and state plans.

Local Control Authorities are responsible for coordinating local weed management, such as your local council.

LCAs regularly inspect for priority weeds and are the primary contact for weeds issues on your property.

Need help? Download or visit WeedWise for information on identification and control, or contact your local council Weeds Officer for advice.

Essential guides to help you identify and tackle weeds in your region

To help you meet your biosecurity duty Local Land Services has set up 11 Regional Weed Committees made up of Local Control Authorities, public and private landholders, and community members. Each developed a five-year Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan based on local knowledge, research and technology and a strict assessment of the biosecurity risks posed by weeds. The plans explain how each region will work together to identify, minimise, respond to and manage high-risk weeds. Here are useful guides, including the regional plans.

NSW WeedWise

Learn to identify over 300 weeds, search by name and characteristics, and get the latest advice on control methods for prevention and eradication. 

Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans

These list your region’s priority weeds under 4 categories: prevent, eradicate, contain and assets protection.

 

Weeds of national significance

Under the Australian Weeds Strategy, 32 introduced plants have been identified as Weeds of National Significance.

Also see Plant biosecurity

With information on Plant diseases and Insect pests

We're supporting your efforts in weed control

Local Land Services is primarily responsible for:

  • delivering regional strategic weed management plans
  • facilitating and coordinating regional strategic planning
  • assisting with education and community outreach programs
  • controlling weeds on land managed by LLS, including Travelling Stock Reserves.

Local control authorities, for example councils, are responsible for enforcing the Biosecurity Act as it relates to weeds, including conducting weed inspections on public and private land. 

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Recent Local Land Services publications

Compliance

Western Community Advisory Group Terms of Reference

Scope, goals and guidance for Local Land Services Western advisory groups.
Compliance

South East Community Advisory Group Terms of Reference

Scope, goals and guidance for Local Land Services South East advisory groups.
Compliance

Central Tablelands Community Advisory Group Terms of Reference

Scope, goals and guidance for Local Land Services Central Tablelands advisory groups.
Compliance

Northern Tablelands Community Advisory Group Terms of Reference

Scope, goals and guidance for Local Land Services Northern Tablelands advisory groups.
Compliance

Hunter Community Advisory Group Terms of Reference

Scope, goals and guidance for Local Land Services Hunter advisory groups.

Read more Local Land Services publications

Contact Local Land Services NSW

We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.  Contact our team

Find your nearest LLS office

Use the search function to find information or resources from Local Land Services.

Phone:1300 795 299
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