Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 1
Local Land Services
South East
Regional Strategic Weed
Management Plan
2023-2027
Acknowledgement of Country
South East Local Land Services acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and
pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We also recognise the unique, diverse and
enduring cultures of First Nations peoples in NSW. Obligations to care for Country remain
integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lore, identity, culture and social and emotional
well-being. The way in which traditional lands are being managed is of great interest to First
Nations communities and Local Land Services understands that Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples have a significant contribution to make in relation to land management in the
region.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 1
Published by South East Local Land Services
South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027
First published 19 September 2022
© State of New South Wales through Local Land Services, 2022.
Acknowledgement of contributors
The Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan was developed by the South East Regional Weed Committee on behalf of
the South East Local Land Services Board for endorsement by the board. The South East Local Land Services Board wishes
to acknowledge the work of the committee and regional support staff in developing the South East Regional Strategic Weed
Management Plan from Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing
July 2022. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which
they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Local Land Services or the user’s
independent adviser.
This document is not a weed identification or control guide.
For this information please go to WeedWise or your local control authority.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 2
Contents
Acknowledgement of Country ............................................................................................................................................................1
Contents
....................................................................................................................................................................................................2
South East Local Land Services Chair’s foreword
......................................................................................................................4
South East Regional Weed Committee Chair’s foreword
.........................................................................................................5
Executive summary
..............................................................................................................................................................................6
1. Intent of Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan
...........................................................................................................7
1.1 Introduction and scope
.................................................................................................................................................................................7
1.2 Vision and goals
.............................................................................................................................................................................................8
2. Policy and planning framework
....................................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Overview of key plans and legislation
.................................................................................................................................................9
2.2 NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
....................................................................................................................................................................... 10
3. Weed risk assessment and prioritisation
............................................................................................................................... 12
3.1 State priority weeds
....................................................................................................................................................................................13
4. Weed management in the region
...............................................................................................................................................16
4.1 Introduction to region
.................................................................................................................................................................................16
4.2 Key risks to the region
............................................................................................................................................................................. 18
4.3 Priority weeds in the South East region
..........................................................................................................................................19
4.4 Community involvement
.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
5. Implementing regional key deliverables
.............................................................................................................................. 22
5.1 Overview
......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
5.2 Implementation principles
.................................................................................................................................................................... 22
5.3 Roles and responsibilities for implementation of the Plan
................................................................................................... 23
5.4 Regional deliverables
............................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 3
6. Measuring success and continuous improvement ...............................................................................................................31
6.1 Measuring performance
...........................................................................................................................................................................31
6.2 Performance indicators and reporting
.............................................................................................................................................31
6.3 Plan review
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................31
7. List of Acronyms
............................................................................................................................................................................. 32
8. Glossary
............................................................................................................................................................................................ 32
9. References
....................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Appendices
...........................................................................................................................................................................................33
Appendix 1: Priority weeds for the South East Local Land Services region
....................................................................33
A1.1 State priority weeds
................................................................................................................................................................................34
A1.2 Regional priority weeds
........................................................................................................................................................................ 47
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 4
South East
Local Land Services
Chair’s foreword
South East Local Land Services has been established to deliver efficient
and effective integrated services associated with agricultural production,
biosecurity, natural resource management and emergency management, with
great importance based upon a regional delivery focus.
I would like to thank the members of the South East Regional Weed Committee,
council weed officers and other agency stakeholders who contributed to the
development of this document with their expertise and time.
I look forward to working with the South East Regional Weed Committee,
partnering organisations and stakeholders in implementing the South East
Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan and providing quality and
meaningful outcomes across the South East.
Faye Steward
Chair
South East Local Land Services
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 5
South East
Regional Weed Committee
Chair’s foreword
I am pleased to present the South East Regional Strategic Weed Management
Plan on behalf of South East Local Land Services, member councils and
stakeholders of the South East Regional Weed Committee.
The Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan prioritises weeds into various
landscapes and details action plans. It is a document to be used by a wide cross
section of the community responsible for land management.
The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan has been developed
through a strategic review of key national, state, regional operational plans and
strategies, and NSW legislation including:
• Australian Weeds Strategy
• 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW
• Local Land Services Act 2013
• NSW Biosecurity Strategy
• NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
• NSW Invasive Species Plan
• Local Land Services State Strategic Plan
• South East Local Land Services Local Strategic Plan
The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan aims to provide all
landholders and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to make informed
decisions in weed management and control, taking into account the limited
resources and funds available.
Central to the success of this plan is the need to continue to build ownership
by the whole community, taking a regional co-ordinated and co-operative
approach with an appreciation by all stakeholders of their responsibilities
and contributions to better manage weeds within the South East Local Land
Services region.
Phil Hansen
Chair
South East Regional Weed Committee
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 6
Executive summary
Biosecurity protects the economy, environment, and community from the negative
impacts of pests, diseases, and weeds. As such, it is vital for the health, wellbeing,
and prosperity of the state.
The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management
Plan focuses on managing weeds to improve the
region’s biosecurity. This plan details priorities
of weed management to protect the South East
region’s environment, economy, and community from
the negative impacts of weeds, strengthening the
sustainability of the region’s natural environment,
primary industries, and local communities.
The NSW Biosecurity Strategy, the NSW Biosecurity
Act 2015, state and regional strategies and plans are
mutually supportive and inclusive of the Regional
Strategic Weed Management Plan and are designed to
work dynamically and effectively with Commonwealth
biosecurity measures reforming weed, pest, and
disease legislation for NSW in a consistent manner.
Together, these strategies and plans at all levels,
provide a clear framework for safeguarding primary
industries, natural environments, and communities
from a vast range of pests, diseases and weeds in a
manner that can be implemented more cooperatively,
consistently across tenures supporting more effective
management across the state.
Three crucial factors in realising the vision of a
sustainable and prosperous future across NSW in the
area of biosecurity weed management are:
• better understanding of the benefits of community-
wide shared responsibility for biosecurity
• cooperative weed management with a tenure-
neutral approach across jurisdictional boundaries
• effective and supportive legislation since the
implementation of the NSW Biosecurity Act in 2015.
The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management
Plan was prepared by the South East Regional Weed
Committee on behalf of the South East Local Land
Services Board, in consultation with State Government
and Local Land Services staff.
The plan outlines how government, industry and the
community will share responsibility and work together
to identify, minimise, respond to, and manage weeds.
The plan is applicable to all lands and waters in the
South East region and focuses on managing weeds
that impact:
• animal and plant industries, including agriculture,
horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, and recreational
fishing in freshwater systems and eco-tourism
• ecological communities and biodiversity, including
those in natural urban and peri-urban environments
• human health, livelihood, lifestyle, cultural values,
recreation, and landscape amenity
• infrastructure and service industries, including
energy, transport, and water supplies.
The plan sets the vision and goals for weed
management in the South East, and outlines
strategies and actions to achieve outcomes based on
the principles of shared responsibility, sustainable
landscapes, collaborative leadership, cooperative
management and resource sharing, and innovation.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 7
1.1 Introduction and scope
Weeds are a major threat to Australia’s natural
environment. In 2018, the Centre for Invasive Species
Solutions estimated that the total annual cost of
weeds in NSW ranged from $1.67 billion to $1.9 billion
per annum (McLeod, 2018). Impacts on biodiversity
and natural environments are harder to quantify, but
equally significant.
The Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan
intends to prioritise the most important weeds in the
region and guide management efforts.
Government, industry and the community can work
together to protect the environment, community and
economy from the negative impacts of weeds.
The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management
Plan (the Plan):
• is a local strategic plan under the Local Land
Services Act 2013.
• implements the NSW Biosecurity Strategy and
NSW Invasive Species Plan in relation to weeds for
the South East region.
• has been prepared by the South East Regional
Weed Committee on behalf of South East Local
Land Services Board.
• explains how each region will work together
to identify, minimise, respond to and manage
priority weeds, supporting the idea of a shared
responsibility under the biosecurity legislation.
Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans play an
important role in articulating the shared responsibility
principle of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act) and
communicating weed control obligations.
As per s.15 of the Act, the Plan prioritises weeds that:
• out-compete other organisms for resources
• cause harm to other organisms through toxicity
• otherwise reduce the productivity of agricultural
systems or the value of agricultural products
• damage infrastructure
• reduce the amenity or aesthetic value of premises
• harm or reduce biodiversity.
The plan provides information to enable all landholders
and stakeholders to effectively discharge their
obligations under the Act.
For this reason, the Plan does not include prescriptive
measures for landholders and stakeholders to
discharge their biosecurity duties. The Plan focuses
on the outcomes to be achieved, allowing for different
measures to achieve the same outcome.
At the regional level, the Plan focuses on the
management of weeds that have been assessed by
the South East Regional Weed Committee as posing
a significant risk of doing these things at the regional
scale and having a high feasibility of coordinated
control.
To ensure responsibility is shared across government,
community and industry, the Plan applies equally to all
people and all land in NSW.
1. Intent of Regional Strategic Weed
Management Plan
Shared responsibility
The vision of shared responsibility is: ‘‘Government, industry and the people of NSW working
together to protect the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of
animal and plant pests, diseases and weeds for the benefit of the people of NSW”.
(NSW Biosecurity Strategy 2013-2021).
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 8
1.2 Vision and goals
The Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan provides the basis for a co-operative and co-ordinated approach to
weed management.
The Plan identifies regional priorities for weed management and outlines how government agencies, community
groups and individual landholders will share responsibility and work together across land tenures to prevent,
eradicate, contain and manage the impacts of weeds.
The vision, goals and outcomes for this plan align with those of the NSW Invasive Species Plan and the Local Land
Services State Strategic Plan.
This aligns with the Local Land Services State Strategic Plan vision of Vibrant communities in productive healthy
landscapes, which delivers on the state outcome of productive and sustainable landscapes.
The Plan adopts the four goals outlined in the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
The Plan’s vision is:
Government, agricultural industries and the people of the South East region working
together to protect the environment, economy and community from the negative
impacts of weeds for the benefit of all in the state.
Goal 1:
Exclude – prevent the establishment of new invasive species.
Goal 2:
Eradicate or contain – eliminate, or prevent the spread of new invasive species.
Goal 3:
Effectively manage – reduce the impacts of widespread invasive species.
Goal 4:
Capacity building – ensure NSW has the ability and commitment to manage
invasive species.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 9
2. Policy and planning framework
2.1 Overview of key plans and legislation
The regional weed committee has considered a range of plans and strategies directly relevant to development of this
Plan, at national, state and local levels. These are shown in Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1: Overall planning framework for the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.
NSW Biosecurity Strategy
Local Land Services Act 2013
NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
and statutory instruments
Local Land Services
State Strategic Plan
Local Land Services
Local Strategic Plan
NSW Invasive Species Plan
Regional Strategic
Weed Management Plan (RSWMP)
Regional and local best practice guides or plans
inform of discharging biosecurity duty
Regional, local and organisational business plans and
processes to implement the RSWMP
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 10
The NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
(the Act) is the key legislation
directing weed management and
the implementation of this plan.
This Act is administered by NSW
Department of Primary Industries.
The Act provides a framework for the prevention,
elimination and minimisation of biosecurity risks
posed by:
• biosecurity matter such as weeds
• dealings with biosecurity matter such as
weeds
• carriers of biosecurity matter.
It:
• promotes the principle of government,
industry and the community sharing
responsibility for biosecurity risks (including
weeds)
• applies equally to all land in the state,
regardless of tenure, and to all people
• is premised on the concept of risk, so that
weed management investment and response
is appropriate to the risk.
Local control authorities have weed control
functions under s.371 of the Act, and must:
• prevent, eliminate, minimise and manage the
biosecurity risk posed or likely to be posed by
weeds on their lands
• develop, implement, coordinate and review
weed control programs
• inspect land in connection with their
functions under the Act
• keep records about the exercise of their
functions under the Act
• report to the Secretary about the exercise of
their functions under the Act.
Local control authorities appoint authorised
officers who can exercise the powers available
under the Act. This enables the local control
authority to deliver these functions.
Local control authority
The council of a local government area is the
local control authority for land within that local
government area unless the weed control functions
for that area have been conferred on a county
council or joint organisation (within the meaning of
the Local Government Act 1993) under any other Act.
If the weed control functions for an area have been
conferred on a county council or joint organisation,
the county council or joint organisation is the local
control authority for that area.
General biosecurity duty
In keeping with its premise that biosecurity is
a shared community, industry and government
responsibility, the Act introduces the legally
enforceable concept of a general biosecurity duty.
Under the Act, all people who deal with plants
through their commercial, professional, volunteer,
recreational or lifestyle activities have a duty to
be aware of the impacts the plants they deal with
might cause, and must take action to remove or
reduce the likelihood of those impacts occurring.
Section 22 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
Dealings
The definition of “dealings” includes keep, have
possession, care, custody or control of, produce,
manufacture or supply, import, acquire, buy,
sell, swap, dispose of, move, release, use, breed,
propagate, grow, raise, feed or culture, experiment
with, display, enter into an agreement or other
arrangement which another person deals with,
agree to deal with, cause or permit a dealing with or
anything prescribed by the regulations as a dealing
with, or engaging in a dealing with, biosecurity
matter or a carrier.
Section 12 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
2.2 NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 11
Authorised officers are appointed under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 by local
control authorities. They carry out local control authority functions by exercising
the powers and regulatory tools available to them under the Act, and implement
compliance programs.
Biosecurity management tools
Table 2.1: Tools available to authorised officers under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and the NSW Biosecurity Regulation 2017
to manage weed risk.
Prohibited matter
It is an offence to deal with any prohibited weed species listed in Schedule 2, Part 1 of the NSW Biosecurity Act
2015. People have a legally enforceable duty to prevent, eliminate, and minimise the biosecurity risk posed by
prohibited matter. People must notify the local control authority about the presence of prohibited matter or
suspected prohibited matter.
Control order
Control orders establish control zones and related measures to prevent, eliminate, minimise or manage a
biosecurity risk or impact. Species regulated under a control order must be immediately destroyed and the land
kept free of that species. Control orders are used to manage weeds under approved eradication programs and last
for a maximum duration of five years (or can be renewed for longer-term eradication programs).
Biosecurity zone
Biosecurity zones specify the measures (eradication, destruction or suppression of spread) that must be taken in
a defined area to manage the weed. Biosecurity zone regulation is used to manage weeds that pose a medium risk
over an extended period where the focus is on eradication and containment and on minimising the risk of spread
and impact in the affected area. It is used where different management actions are required in different parts of
NSW or to protect a portion of the state from the introduction of a particular biosecurity risk.
Mandatory measures
Mandatory measures require people to take specific actions with respect to certain weeds or carriers of weeds. It
is prohibited to sell or import weeds listed in Schedule 3 of the NSW Biosecurity Regulation 2017. It is prohibited to
import farm equipment from Queensland into NSW including grain harvesters, comb trailers, bins used for holding
grain during harvest operations, augers, vehicles used for transporting grain harvesters, support vehicles for grain
harvesters and mineral exploration drilling rigs and vehicles used to transport those rigs. It is prohibited to import
into the state new species of vascular plants not currently present in the state.
General biosecurity duty
Any person who deals with a plant that poses a risk of causing an adverse effect on the economy, the environment
or the community and who knows, or ought to know about the risk the plant poses, has a legally enforceable duty to
prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk of that impact occurring.
Biosecurity direction
An authorised officer may issue a biosecurity direction that directs a person or class of persons to do or to cease
doing something, if the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent, eliminate or minimise a biosecurity
risk or to prevent, manage or control a biosecurity impact. It is an offence not to comply with a biosecurity direction.
Biosecurity undertaking
A biosecurity undertaking is a written undertaking by a person, that specifies the measures a person agrees to
implement to remedy a contravention, likely contravention, or suspected contravention of the Act and a date by
which those measures will be implemented by. It is an offence to contravene a biosecurity undertaking.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 12
3. Weed risk assessment and prioritisation
Weeds
are regulated under the NSW Biosecurity
Act 2015 according to the risk they pose to the
environment, community and economy. Weeds that
create the highest level of risk and have the feasibility
of being controlled are called priority weeds.
Management action, investment and compliance effort
should be directed toward priority weeds. Risk-based
decision-making and weed prioritisation ensures that
the weeds management response is:
• reasonably practicable
• matched to the degree of risk posed
• flexible and non-prescriptive.
The weed prioritisation process used in this Plan is
guided by the principle that managing new weeds
earlier rather than later is the most efficient and
cost-effective way to protect local communities,
environments and industries from the impacts of weeds
in the long-term.
The generalised ‘weed invasion curve’ (Figure 3.1)
illustrates the invasion process of weeds from arrival to
widespread establishment after research showed that
the effort and resources required to control a weed
rises with time and area occupied.
The NSW Weed Risk Management system is the
decision-support tool that is used to help determine
which weeds should be prioritised. The system provides
a standard, nationally accepted and transparent
process that considers two components for prioritising
weeds for management action:
1. weed risk (invasiveness, impacts, potential
distribution)
2. feasibility of coordinated control (control costs,
persistence, current distribution).
It is applied at different scales. Weeds that receive
high scores for both components are prioritised at
that scale. Further information on the NSW Weed
Risk Management system is available at the NSW
Department of Primary Industries website.
Area occupied
Asset based protection
Invasive species widespread and abundant throughout its
potential range
Containment
Rapid increase
in distribution
and abundance,
many populations
Prevention
Species absent
Eradication
Small number
of localised
populations
Entry of invasive species
Economic returns (indicative only)
1:100
Prevention
1:25
Eradication
1:5-10
Containment
1:1-5
Asset based protection
Time
Figure 3.1: Generalised weed invasion curve illustrating actions appropriate to each stage and indicative return on investment.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 13
3.1 State priority weeds
State priority weeds have been assessed by NSW
Department of Primary Industries as posing a high to
medium biosecurity risk to the entire state of NSW and
are identified in Table 3.1 below.
Further information on state priority weeds can be
found in Appendix 1.1 of this Plan. Specific legal
requirements apply to state priority weeds.
State priority weeds are regulated through the
following tools as listed in Table 2.1:
• prohibited matter
• control orders
• biosecurity zones
• mandatory measures.
Table 3.1: State priority weeds.
Common name Scientific name Regulatory tool
African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides
Alligator Weed Biosecurity Zone applies in some
parts of NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
All species of
vascular plant
Tracheophyta
Mandatory Measure prohibits import into NSW if the
species is not already present in the State
Anchored water
hyacinth
Eichhornia azurea Prohibited Matter in NSW
Asparagus weeds
Asparagus aethiopicus, A. africanus,
A. asparagoides including the western
cape form*, A. plumosus, and
A. scandens
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Athel pine Tamarix aphylla
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Bellyache bush Jatropha gossypiifolia
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Bitou bush
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp.
Rotundata
Bitou Bush Biosecurity Zone applies in some parts
of NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. (except the
varietals chester thornless, dirksen
thornless, loch ness, silvan, black
satin, murrindindi, smooth stem,
thornfree and chehalem)
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Black knapweed
Centaurea x moncktonii Prohibited Matter in NSW
Boneseed
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp.
monilifera
Biosecurity (Boneseed) Control Order 2022 applies
in NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Bridal veil creeper Asparagus declinatus Prohibited Matter in NSW
Broomrape
Orobanche spp.
(all species except the native O. cernua
var. australiana and O. minor)
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 14
Common name Scientific name Regulatory tool
Brooms
Genista monspessulana, G. linifolia,
Cystisus scoparius
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Cabomba Cabomba caroliniana
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Cat’s claw creeper Dolichandra unguis-cati
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Chilean needle grass Nassella neesiana
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Chinese violet Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha
Biosecurity (Chinese Violet) Control Order 2019
applies in NSW
Eurasian water
milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum Prohibited Matter in NSW
Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Frogbit /
Spongeplant
Limnobium spp. (all species) Prohibited Matter in NSW
Gamba grass Andropogon gayanus Prohibited Matter in NSW
Gorse Ulex europaeus
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Hawkweed
Pilosella spp (all species) in addition
to Hieracium spp (all species except
Hieracium murorum)
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Hydrocotyl/Water
pennywort
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Prohibited Matter in NSW
Hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Karoo acacia
Vachellia karroo (syn. Acacia karroo) Prohibited Matter in NSW
Kochia
Bassia scoparia (excluding
subsp. trichophylla)
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Koster’s curse Clidemia hirta Prohibited Matter in NSW
Lagarosiphon Lagarosiphon major Prohibited Matter in NSW
Lantana Lantana camara
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Mesquite Prosopis spp
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Mexican feather
grass
Nassella tenuissima (syn. Stipa
tenuissima)
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Miconia
Miconia spp. (all species) Prohibited Matter in NSW
Mikania vine Mikania micrantha Prohibited Matter in NSW
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 15
Common name Scientific name Regulatory tool
Mimosa Mimosa pigra Prohibited Matter in NSW
Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata
Biosecurity (Parkinsonia) Control Order 2022 applies
in NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Parthenium weed Parthenium hysterophorus
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits parthenium weed
carriers from entering NSW from QLD
Pond apple Annona glabra Prohibited Matter in NSW
Prickly acacia
Vachellia nilotica (syn. Acacia nilotica) Prohibited Matter in NSW
Prickly pears
Opuntia spp. (excluding O. ficus-
indica), Cylindropuntia spp. and
Austrocylindropuntia spp.
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora Prohibited Matter in NSW
Sagittaria Sagittaria platyphylla
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Salvinia Salvinia molesta
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Serrated tussock Nassella trichotoma
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Siam weed Chromolaena odorata Prohibited Matter in NSW
Silver-leaf
nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Spotted knapweed
Centaurea stoebe subsp. australis Prohibited Matter in NSW
Tropical soda apple Solanum viarum
Biosecurity (Tropical Soda Apple) Control Order
2022 applies in NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Water caltrop
Trapa spp. (all species) Prohibited Matter in NSW
Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Water Hyacinth Biosecurity Zone applies in some
parts of NSW
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Water soldier Stratiotes aloides Prohibited Matter in NSW
Willows
Salix species except S. babylonica, S. X
calodendron and S. x reichardtiji (willows
except weeping willows, pussy willow
and sterile pussy willow)
Mandatory Measure prohibits sale within or import
into NSW
Witchweed
Striga spp. (except the native S.
parviflora)
Prohibited Matter in NSW
Yellow burrhead Limnocharis flava Prohibited Matter in NSW
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 16
Local control
authorities
Local control
authority boundary
Local Land
Services region
Figure 4.1: South East Local Land Services regional map.
4. Weed management in the region
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ILLAWARRA
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WEEDS AUTHORITY
EUROBODALLA
SHIRE COUNCIL
SNOWY MONARO
REGIONAL
COUNCIL
WINGECARRIBEE
SHIRE COUNCIL
QUEANBEYAN-PALERANG
REGIONAL COUNCIL
GOULBURN
MULWAREE
COUNCIL
UPPER LACHLAN
SHIRE COUNCIL
SHOALHAVEN
CITY COUNCIL
YASS
VALLEY
COUNCIL
BEGA VALLEY
SHIRE COUNCIL
HILLTOPS
COUNCIL
4.1 Introduction to
region
The South East region supports
a diverse mixture of landscape,
livelihood, cultural and lifestyle
values. Strategic regional
weed management is critical to
sustain natural environments,
primary industries, and local
communities in the region.
The region covers a diverse area of
55,600 km
2
. It ranges from north of
Wollongong along the coast to the Victorian
border, with the western boundary
extending from Boorowa down the eastern
side of the Australian Capital Territory
to the Snowy Mountains. It includes the
local government areas of Upper Lachlan,
Goulburn Mulwaree, Wingecarribee,
Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven,
Eurobodalla, Kiama, Queanbeyan-Palerang,
Snowy Monaro, Yass Valley, Bega Valley
and the eastern portion of Hilltops. It is
Country to 17,000 Aboriginal people from 17
traditional groups living within the region.
The South East has a population of
620,000, mostly living in urban areas, with
over 400,000 residents in the Illawarra and
Shoalhaven districts. It has a high turnover
of land ownership with increasing number
of small land holdings, especially in
the Sydney - South Coast and Sydney -
Canberra corridors.
There are five landscape types in the South
East: the South Coast and Highlands, Far
South Coast, Tablelands, Monaro and South
West Slopes.
The South Coast and highlands landscape
consists of escarpment, estuaries,
waterways, lakes and rural hinterlands.
The coast population can triple over
summer with tourism. It contains
Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama,
Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee local
government areas with a population of
370,000.
The area is bounded by the coastal escarpment and cooler highlands
and the coastal strip. The South Coast supports major industrial areas,
defence facilities, mining and transport hubs, including Port Kembla, a
major NSW port. It also sustains a substantial agricultural sector and
includes major urban centres (Wollongong, Shellharbour, Nowra, Moss
Vale) with a high population. Densely populated areas in the Sydney-
Wollongong-South Coast corridor, highways and port facilities pose a
considerable risk of new weed incursions.
The Far South Coast boasts beaches, forests and farmland and is
dominated by forestry, crown lands and National Park estate (70% of
land use). It includes Eurobodalla and Bega Valley local government
areas, and the towns of Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Bega,
Merimbula and Eden.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 17
Agriculture, dairy, forestry, fishing and derived industries (including the port at Eden), and nature-based tourism are
important to local economies. Agriculture is the dominant land use in the South East region, occupying 47 % of the
land with the gross value of production totalling $800 million annually. Grazing is the main agricultural land use in
the region with an annual value of $528 million and accounts for two-thirds of the regional agricultural production.
Weeds have a significant impact on agriculture (grazing, broadacre cropping, dairy, fruit, vegetables) with the annual
cost of weed control and lost production at $100 million.
Additionally, coastal, escarpment and hinterland areas support ecological communities in public and private
ownership, encompassing the south east corner and Sydney basin bioregions (Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation
for Australia Version 7). These include 12 threatened ecological communities and constituent threatened flora
and fauna (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage), three which are listed as critically endangered under the
Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (EPBC Act).
A key outcome of weed management across the region is protecting biodiversity values of natural landscapes. There
is wide variation of topography, rainfall and temperature across the region. This is reflected in diversity of plant
communities and ecosystem types. Additionally, coastal areas provide nesting habitat for threatened shorebirds,
alpine areas have unique and fragile ecosystems and threatened plant species like the Mongarlowe Mallee
(Eucalyptus recurva), waterfall greenhood (Pterostylis pulchella) and plumed midge orchid (Genoplesium plumosum)
have only been recorded in this region.
The South East is Country to 17,000 Aboriginal
people from 17 traditional groups living within
the region.
17
Agriculture is the dominant land use in the
South East region, occupying 47% of the land.
47%
Grazing is the main agricultural land use in the
region with an annual value of $528 million.
$528M
$89M
Weed control imposes high costs on all sectors
at $89 million per year in the region, with the
same economic loss.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 18
4.2 Key risks to the region
The key risks to the region are ‘incoming’ weeds through feed/fodder, transported weed matter/seeds and climate
change. The South East has coastal ports and the Australian Capital Territory within its borders which has different
legislation. As such, the Weeds Action Program operates as a surveillance and inspection program to detect new/
emerging key weed threats rather than managing widespread weeds which are not feasible to eradicate at a regional
level. Natural resource managers, agronomists and community groups undertake activities across the region that
address widespread weeds in their work.
The key risks associated with weeds in the region are:
• Increased loss of production.
• Loss of biodiversity and impact to threatened
species.
• Managing the pathways for new weed incursions.
• Managing aquatic weeds that affect waterways.
• Tourism impacts - large numbers of visitors with
varying understanding of environment impact.
• Changes in landowner ownership patterns and land
use.
• Importation risks from fodder and livestock.
• Management of herbicide resistance.
• Expectations from the community regarding weed
management with non-chemical solutions.
• Reductions in landowner/contractor knowledge and
experience on weed control.
• Reductions in rural workforce for weed management.
• Reductions in government support for weed
management.
• Government agencies failing to undertake weed
management obligations.
• Changes in environmental factors (climate change,
vertebrate pest incursions).
• Agricultural industries - most risk from 29 weeds in
the region to grazing and cropping. Large acreages
limit the capacity to monitor and take remedial
actions. Grazing represents two thirds of the regional
agricultural production. Dairying can suffer due to
the intense nature of the land use.
• Biological assets at risk from weeds are native
woodlands where open canopy can allow rapid weed
incursions which incurs high costs, difficult access,
and multiple ecological assets.
• Weed control imposes high costs on all sectors at
$89 million per year in the region, with the same
economic loss.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 19
4.3 Priority weeds in the South East region
Regional weed assessment and prioritisation process
Application of the NSW weed risk management system provides the management categories and objectives, and the
outcomes to demonstrate compliance with the general biosecurity duty developed for the region. The management
categories used in the assessment are summarised in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1: Defining regional weed management categories.
Management
category
Objective Characteristics of weeds in this category
Prevention To prevent the weed species arriving and
establishing in the region.
Weeds currently not found in the region,
that pose a significant biosecurity risk and
prevention of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds is a reasonably practicable
objective.
Eradication To permanently remove the species and
its propagules from the region OR to
destroy infestations to reduce the extent
of the weed in the region with the aim of
local eradication.
Weeds are present in limited abundance in the
region. Elimination of the biosecurity risk posed
by these weeds is a reasonably practicable
objective.
Containment To prevent the ongoing spread of the
species in all or part of the region.
These weeds are widely distributed in parts
of the region. While broad scale elimination is
not practicable, minimisation of the biosecurity
risk posed by these weeds is reasonably
practicable.
Asset
protection
To prevent the spread of weeds to
key sites/assets of high economic,
environmental and social value, or to
reduce their impact on these sites if
spread has already occurred.
These weeds are widely distributed in some
areas of the region. Their spread should be
minimised to protect priority regional assets.
Regional priority weeds have been assessed by regional weed committees as posing a high risk to specific regions
of NSW. South East regional priority weeds are identified in Table 4.2 with additional further information available in
Appendix 1.2 of the Plan.
Regional priority weeds are regulated through the general biosecurity duty and each weed has a management
category. Regional recommended measures are listed for each weed and communicate how landholders and
stakeholders in the region should discharge their general biosecurity duty for that weed. Weeds are grouped by
regional management category (see Table 4.1).
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 20
Table 4.2: South East region priority weeds.
Common name Scientific name Regional management priority
Cat’s claw creeper Dolichandra unguis-cati (syn.
Macfadyena unguis-cati)
Eradication
Coolatai grass Hyparrhenia hirta Containment
Coral creeper Barleria repens Prevention
Giant devil’s fig Solanum chrysotrichum Eradication
Gorse Ulex europaeus Containment
Groundsel bush Baccharis halimifolia Eradication
Holly leaved senecio Senecio glastifolius Prevention
Horsetails Equisetum spp. Eradication
Kei apple Dovyalis caffra Eradication
Kidney leaf mud plantain Heteranthera reniformis Prevention
Kudzu Pueraria lobata Eradication
Lantana Lantana camara Containment
Long leaf water primrose Ludwigia longifolia Eradication
Ludwigia Ludwigia peruviana Eradication
Ming asparagus fern/pompom
asparagus
Asparagus macowanii var. zu-
luensis
Eradication
Mysore thorn Caesalpinia decapetala Containment
Salvinia Salvinia molesta Eradication
Sea spurge Euphorbia paralias Containment
Senegal tea plant Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Eradication
Sickle thorn Asparagus falcatus Prevention
Silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium Eradication
Spanish heath Erica lusitanica Containment
Sticky nightshade Solanum sisymbriifolium Eradication
Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes Eradication
Water poppy Hydrocleys nymphoides Eradication
Water star grass Heteranthera zosterifolia Prevention
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 21
4.4 Community involvement
• As well as state and local government agencies with weed control obligations, the South East has other
stakeholders with an interest and commitment to weed management. These include contractors, rural suppliers,
Local Aboriginal Land Councils (some do contract work and manage their lands), and community groups such as
Landcare, Bushcare and Coastcare. Non-government organisations include Conservation Volunteers Australia,
Greening Australia, and the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR).
• Industry groups such as Monaro Farming Systems, Tablelands Farming Systems and New South Wales Farmers
Association have an additional interest, undertaking research, extension, advisory services and innovation. There
are some small farms and regenerative agriculture networks which are emerging across the region.
• The region’s Landcare network is one of the larger, more organised community partners involved in regional
weed-related issues. The regional network includes a Regional Landcare Facilitator, 13 Local Landcare Networks
with coordinators, 320 community groups and approximately 3,300 individual members.
• Several local councils in the region also support bush regeneration teams and/or run an environment levy
program that supports weed management and environmental projects.
• Regional success will be built on local community foundations. It is acknowledged that community energy could
be harnessed more broadly to support weed management activities.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 22
5. Implementing regional key deliverables
5.1 Overview
A wide range of landholders and stakeholders are involved in weed management in the region. The Plan recognises
the roles of all levels of government, industry, community and community organisations and aims to consolidate these
efforts through better coordination and communication between organisations and individuals in the region.
This section covers actions required to achieve the goals of the regional plans which have been directly taken from
the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
The Plan sits as an enabling plan under the Local Land Services South East Local Strategic Plan and will be
implemented in collaboration with key stakeholders, the community and South East Local Land Services.
Collaboration and building capacity of landholders is central to plan implementation.
Goal 1:
Exclude – prevent the establishment of new invasive species.
Goal 2:
Eradicate or contain – eliminate, or prevent the spread of new invasive species.
Goal 3:
Effectively manage – reduce the impacts of widespread invasive species.
Goal 4:
Capacity building – ensure NSW has the ability and commitment to manage
invasive species.
5.2 Implementation principles
The following principles will be used to guide weed management planning and
implementation.
• Effective stakeholder collaboration and shared
responsibility are essential to effective weed
management.
• Behavioural change and increasing community
capacity are important to effective weed
management.
• Prevention and early intervention are the most
effective weed management tools.
• Causes of weed invasion and spread are managed
wherever possible, not just the symptoms.
• The biology and ecological requirements of weeds,
including mechanisms and pathways for spread are
considered in weed management.
• Innovation in weed control and management is
encouraged.
• Regular monitoring, evaluation and improvement are
incorporated in weed management programs.
• Weed management is an integral part of land
management. Land management practices and the
timing of, are critical to the prevention and reduction
in spread and impact of weeds.
• Weeds are managed in a strategic and co-ordinated
manner across the landscape. Assessing and
managing weed risk at a landscape and multi species
scale (where appropriate) can lead to significant
efficiencies in use of resources and achievement of
strategic outcomes.
• The best available science, expertise and tools are
utilised in weed management decision making.
• Interrelated weed management is an important part
of effective weed management. For more information
go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-
control/general-management/integrated-weed-
management.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 23
5.3 Roles and responsibilities for implementation of the Plan
The following diagram (Figure 5.1) outlines the governance and management role of the state and government
organisations collective responsibilities in the development of the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans, and
the implementation roles of stakeholders, the state and local governments in the delivery of the Plan.
Figure 5.1: Roles in weed management.
All biosecurity
duty holders
Government
Industry
Community
Governance
Minister
for Agriculture
NSW
Department
of Primary
Industries
State
weed
committee
Regional planning
Regional
weed committee
Loca Land
Services
Board
Implementation
Local control
authorities
Landholders (owners and/or
occupiers)
All public and private landholders have an important
role in the management of weeds in the region,
including the development and implementation
of management strategies to address the key
deliverables.
All public and private landholders are required to know
what weeds are or could impact land under their care
and control and have reasonable measures in place to
mitigate this risk.
Landholders should support implementation of the
regional key deliverables by setting a high standard
of best practice weed management and collaborating
with adjacent landholders to effect tenure neutral
weed management.
Local government
Local government supports implementation of the
regional key deliverables by:
• engaging local communities, managing public
lands and assisting with emergency management.
Local government also makes a significant investment
in local and regional weed management.
Local control authorities
Local control authorities, support implementation of
the regional key deliverables by:
• enforcing legislated weed management obligations
on private and public land
• delivering components of the NSW Weeds Action
Program throughout the state
• conducting weed inspections on private and public
land
• controlling weeds on lands managed by local
government
• reporting and mapping weed incidence across the
state
• input into weed strategy and policy
• providing education, training and resources for
both the public and for staff.
State government
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is the
lead agency for weed management within the NSW
Government.
Local Land Services is responsible for coordinating
and facilitating weed management at a regional level,
through the implementation of regional sub-programs.
NSW Department of Primary Industries
The NSW Department of Primary Industries supports
implementation of the regional key deliverables by:
• managing updates and amendments to the NSW
Biosecurity Act 2015
• leading and administering the NSW Weeds Action
Program
• managing the NSW Weeds Information Database,
which provides information about over 300 weeds
for the NSW WeedWise website and app
• managing the weeds extranet, which facilitates
information and resource sharing for weeds
professionals in NSW and interstate
• providing extension, education and training
services
• leading the response to new incursions of state
priority weeds and nationally significant weeds
• developing non-regulatory approaches and
incentives
• conducting weeds research and collaborating with
other researchers
• providing biological control services
• capturing state-wide weeds data through the
Biosecurity Information System – Weeds
• resourcing the NSW Department of Primary
Industries biosecurity helpline (1800 680 244)
• developing policies and guidelines to support the
work of the State Weed Committee.
Local Land Services
Local Land Services support implementation of the re-
gional key deliverables by:
• delivering regional strategic weed management
plans
• facilitating and coordinating regional strategic
planning
• assisting with education and community outreach
programs
• controlling weeds on lands under their control.
Local Land Services are responsible for managing the
Travelling Stock Reserve network, and therefore must
exercise all Landholder responsibilities.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 24
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 25
5.4 Regional deliverables
Delivery partners define key regional deliverables and develop and implement processes to address actions. It is recognised that different stakeholders are resourced at
different levels and have different priorities in weed management. Consistent collaborative approach for long term weed management is required by all stakeholders.
Investment by all landholders and stakeholders in weed management should align with the goals of the NSW Invasive Species Plan and regional priority weeds.
The following tables identify the key deliverables against the four goals outlined in the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
The below table outlines relevant deliverables that relate to the NSW Invasive Species Plan that are a priority for the South East region. State deliverables are included in
the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
Table 5.1: Relevant regional deliverables that relate to the NSW Invasive Species Plan.
GOAL 1 - Exclude: prevent the establishment of new invasive species
Outcomes Strategies Key deliverables Responsibility Timeframe
1.1 Improved
identification and
management of high-risk
species and pathways
1.1.3 Implement legislation, education
and enforcement programs for effective
management of high-risk species and
pathways
Support a regional inspection program
for high risk sites and pathways and
public and private land.
Undertake a local inspection program
for high risk sites and pathways.
Undertake a property inspection
program.
Local Land Services
Local control authorities
Local control authorities
Annual targets
dependant on
Weeds Action
Program funding
allocation. Will
be determined
annually.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 26
GOAL 1 - Exclude: prevent the establishment of new invasive species
Outcomes Strategies Key deliverables Responsibility Timeframe
1.2 Improved early
detection capabilities
1.2.1 Continually review and improve early
detection capabilities
Utilise new technologies e.g., drone,
detector dog, remote sensing aerial
inspections where available and it is
financially viable to do so.
Local control authorities,
Local Land Services and NSW
Department of Primary Industries
As feasible
1.2.2 Undertake regular fore-sighting to
identify and address emerging trends that
could lead to increased biosecurity risks
Identify and address emerging
biosecurity risk trends during South
East Regional Committee and sub-
committee meetings.
South East Regional Weed
Committee
2-3 times/year
1.2.3 Improve capacity (people, equipment
and processes) to identify and report
suspected new invasive species
Support local control authorities
authorised officers’ attendance at
relevant training, conferences, forums
and events.
Local control authorities and
Local Land Services
2 per local
control authority
per year
1.2.4 Increase public awareness of incursion
risk and reporting mechanisms
Implement WeedScan when released
for public use.
Local control authorities and
Local Land Services
When available
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 27
GOAL 2 - Eradicate or contain: Eliminate or prevent the spread of invasive species
Outcomes Strategies Key Deliverables Responsibility Timeframe
2.1 Improved rapid
response capabilities to
eradicate or contain new
incursions
2.1.2 Develop incursion response plans for
extreme risk species
Maintain incursion response plan. Local Land Services and South
East Regional Weed Sub-
committee
Ongoing
2.1.3 Develop rapid response plans and
cost-sharing agreements
Develop Memorandum of Under-
standing for regional rapid response
as part of Weeds Action Program
agreement.
Local Land Services Completed by 30
June 2023
2.1.5 Maintain a sufficient state-wide
network of biosecurity staff to respond to
incursions
Work with councils to ensure they have
a minimum of one Authorised Officer
appointed under the Biosecurity Act
2015.
Local Land Services and
Department of Primary Industries
Ongoing
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 28
GOAL 3 - Effectively manage: reduce the impacts of widespread invasive species
Outcomes Strategies Key Deliverables Responsibility Timeframe
3.1 Management
programs prioritised to
give more targeted effort
and greater benefit
3.1.1 Prioritise invasive species management
at the regional level through regional pest
animal and weed management strategies
Review of the Regional Strategic Weed
Management Plan priori-ties.
Local Land Services and South
East Regional Weed Committee
Mid-term (2025)
3.1.2 Prioritise management efforts based
on current and potential impacts
Support and fund the develop-ment
of a new Weed Risk As-sessment tool
to support deci-sion making at a local
level.
Local Land Services Currently in
development
3.2 Improved
management
effectiveness
3.2.2 Encourage co-operative programs
that use integrated management across all
tenures
Conduct land management education
programs and incentive programs that
promote groundcover management and
other integrated weed management
techniques as funding allows.
Support use of biocontrol agents
through membership of the Biocontrol
Taskforce and by maintaining a small
biocontrol facility in Eurobodalla.
Local Land Services
Local Land Services and
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Ongoing
Ongoing
3.2.3 Ensure regulatory framework is
implemented to back up voluntary actions
All local control authorities to have
the capacity to undertake appropriate
enforcement actions as required.
Local control authorities Ongoing
3.2.4 Large management programs should
have monitoring, reporting and feedback
processes in place to allow continual
refinement of management approach
Provide reports to regional weeds
coordinator as required on the progress
of Weeds Action Program deliverables.
Local control authorities 2-4 times/year
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 29
GOAL 4 - Capacity building: Ensure NSW has the ability and commitment to manage invasive species
Outcomes Strategies Key Deliverables Responsibility Timeframe
4.1 Roles and
responsibilities are clear
for weeds management
4.1.1 Ensure roles and responsibilities for
each stakeholder are clearly defined and
understood
Employ 1 FTE regional weeds
coordinator to implement and monitor
the Weeds Action Program for the
South East.
Local Land Services Ongoing
4.2 Private landholders
and the general
community are motivated
to support biosecurity
at all stages of invasion
curve
4.2.1 Inform stakeholders of their
obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2015
Educate landholders on their
obligations as part of routine property
inspection program.
Conduct community education events.
Local control authorities
Local control authorities
Ongoing
4 per year for
South East region
4.2.2 Identify opportunities for community
involvement in biosecurity
Collaborate with other Local Con-trol
Authorities and local community groups
on planning, exten-sion and biological
control programs.
Local control authorities 2-3 times/year
4.2.3 Maintain and build on existing
volunteer networks
Work with a range of community groups
such as Landcare groups to deliver
programs assisting them to manage and
restore their local environment and im-
prove the sustainability of agricul-tural
activities.
Local Land Services (Landcare
coordinator)
1 times/year
4.2.4 Provide a range of information,
education and training resources
Deliver information and educa-tion
using a variety of media.
Local control authorities and
Local Land Services
2-4 times/year
4.6 Commitment to
implement and monitor
progress of the Invasive
Species Plan
4.6.2 Conduct end of Plan review Local Land Services and South
East Regional Weed Committee
2027
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 30
Collaborative research and practical application
Regional weed committees will investigate opportunities for collaboration that may include:
• engagement with weed science researchers, community, the aboriginal community, government, and industry to
identify current knowledge gaps and to document weed species research priorities
• strengthening partnerships and actively participating in industry, government and university collaboration for
weeds research
• maintaining currency of regional and local weed risk assessments
• development of new technologies and innovative approaches to the management of weed risks
• application of biological control programs for priority weeds
• incorporation of research findings into weed management decision-making (this is part of adaptive
management).
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 31
6. Measuring success and continuous
improvement
This section covers how we intend to address and document to what extent goals have been
achieved, as well as evaluating performance, and reviewing our activity and focus.
6.1 Measuring performance
A state level monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement (MERI) framework for Regional Strategic Weed
Management Plans, has been developed to guide Regional Weeds Committees to measure their success and
continuous improvement.
Each Regional Weeds Committee will establish a MERI framework for Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans.
This MERI framework will facilitate the review of results against planned immediate, intermediate and long-term
outcomes.
Data collection and management is crucial to the adoption of standardised approaches for the region, and for the
implementation of MERI procedures.
All stakeholders and member organisations of the regional weed committees are expected to assist with data
collections and sharing for the purposes of MERI.
6.2 Performance indicators
and reporting
Standardised MERI systems are used to compile and
report on the efforts and achievements of stakeholders
in contributing to this plan. A state-wide MERI
framework has been developed for annual performance
measurement.
Regional weed committees may undertake a more
extensive review annually or through the life of the plan.
Performance indicators will be developed against the
actions and strategies in section 5, to enable tracking of
the progressive impacts of interventions and investment
in priorities and will relate to the goals for this plan.
6.3 Plan review
The South East Regional Weed Committee will foster
adaptive management and continual improvement in
weed management.
A mid-term review of this plan will be undertaken at
year three (2025) and a full review will be undertaken
nearing the end of the five-year term for this plan
(2027).
Weed risk assessments will be updated as needed from
time to time and a particular focus at year three will be
on evaluation and review of weeds listed in this plan
(Appendix 1).
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 32
8. Glossary
Best practice: A technique or methodology that, through experience and research, has proven to reliably lead to a
desired result. Also see leading practice.
Biodiversity: The variety of all life forms: the different species of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other micro-
organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems (the variety of habitats, biotic communities and ecological
processes) of which they form a part.
Biosecurity: Protecting the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases and
weeds.
Country: A term used by Aboriginal people to refer to the land to which they have a traditional attachment to.
Emergency management: Management related to preparedness, response and recovery for actual or imminent
animal pest and disease and plant pest and disease emergencies, natural disasters and other emergencies impacting
on primary production or animal health and safety.
Landholders: means a person who is the owner of land or who, whether by reason of ownership or otherwise, is in
lawful occupation or possession, or has lawful management or control, of land.
Stakeholders: Organisations that collaborate and partner with Local Land Services directly to support customer
service delivery, including community and industry groups, not-for-profits, non-government organisations, Landcare,
research institutions, state and local government and private sector providers.
Weed: Plants(foreign to the region)that are unwanted in a given situation and which usually have detectable
negative economic, environmental or social impacts.
Weed Action Program: The New South Wales (NSW) Weeds Action Program is a NSW Government initiative to
reduce the impact of weeds through implementation of the NSW Invasive Species Plan and the NSW Biosecurity
Strategy.
7. List of Acronyms
DPI Department of Primary Industries
MERI Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and
improvement
TSR Travelling stock reserve
9. References
McLeod, R. (2018). Annual Costs of Weeds in Australia. Retrieved from https://invasives.com.au/wp-content/
uploads/2019/01/Cost-of-weeds-report.pdf
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 33
Appendices
Appendix 1: Priority weeds for the
South East Local Land Services region
This appendix identifies state priority weed species (A1.1) as set by NSW Department of Primary Industries and
regionally determined priorities (A1.2) as determined by the South East Regional Weed Committee.
The Biosecurity Act 2015 and Biosecurity Regulation 2017 provide specific legal requirements for state priority weeds
(A1.1) and high-risk activities. For each state priority weed, the management priority, and specific requirements for its
management (as stated in the Biosecurity Act 2015 and regulations) is included. State priority weeds are regulated as
prohibited matter, or under biosecurity zones, or control orders, or have mandatory measures that apply.
A1.2 identifies regionally prioritised weeds and the outcomes that demonstrate compliance with the general
biosecurity duty. Recommended measures for these weeds are provided in the NSW Department of Primary
Industries website and mobile based application NSW WeedWise, as practical advice on achieving these outcomes.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 34
A1.1 State priority weeds
State priority weed category – PREVENTION:
The following weeds have not established self-sustaining populations in NSW and pose a significant biosecurity risk to the state. Prohibiting these weeds from the state
to prevent the biosecurity risk posed is a reasonably practical objective.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
All species of
vascular plant
Tracheophyta
Tracheophyta Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 34)
Duty to notify on importation of plants into the state:
(1) A person must not import into the State a species of vascular plant (Tracheophyta) if the species is not currently
present in the State unless the person has, at least 20 working days before the plant is imported into the state,
notified the species of plant and its proposed location within the State.
(2) The notification is to be given to the Secretary and is to be given in accordance with Part 6.
(3) A species of plant is taken not to be present in the state if the National Herbarium of New South Wales does not
show it as being present in the state.
Note. See http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 35
State priority weed category – PREVENTION:
The following weeds have not established self-sustaining populations in NSW and pose a significant biosecurity risk to the state. Prohibiting these weeds from the state
to prevent the biosecurity risk posed is a reasonably practical objective.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Anchored water
hyacinth
Eichhornia azurea Prohibited Matter (Part 4, Biosecurity Act, 2015)
A person who deals with any biosecurity matter that is Prohibited Matter throughout the State is guilty of an offence.
A person has a biosecurity duty to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, the biosecurity risk posed by
prohibited matter is prevented, eliminated or minimised.
A person who becomes aware of, or suspects, that a prohibited matter event has occurred, is occurring or is about to
occur has a biosecurity duty to immediately notify the local control authority about the prohibited matter event.
Regional strategic response:
• Implement quarantine and/or hygiene protocols
• Undertake high risk sites and pathways analysis to identify potential introduction areas and preventative options
• Trigger rapid response protocol.
Black knapweed
Centaurea x moncktonii
Bridal veil
creeper
Asparagus declinatus
Broomrape
Orobanche spp. (all species
except the native O. cernua
var. australiana and O. minor)
Eurasian water
milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Frogbit /
Spongeplant
Limnobium spp. (all species)
Gamba grass Andropogon gayanus
Hawkweed Pilosella spp (all species)
in addition to Hieracium
spp (all species except
Hieracium murorum)
Hydrocotyl/
Water pennywort
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Karoo acacia Vachellia karroo
(syn. Acacia
karroo)
Kochia Bassia scoparia (excluding
subsp. trichophylla)
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 36
State priority weed category – PREVENTION:
The following weeds have not established self-sustaining populations in NSW and pose a significant biosecurity risk to the state. Prohibiting these weeds from the state
to prevent the biosecurity risk posed is a reasonably practical objective.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Koster’s curse Clidemia hirta Prohibited Matter (Part 4, Biosecurity Act, 2015)
A person who deals with any biosecurity matter that is Prohibited Matter throughout the State is guilty of an offence.
A person has a biosecurity duty to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, the biosecurity risk posed by
prohibited matter is prevented, eliminated or minimised.
A person who becomes aware of, or suspects, that a prohibited matter event has occurred, is occurring or is about to
occur has a biosecurity duty to immediately notify the local control authority about the prohibited matter event.
Regional strategic response:
• Implement quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
• Undertake high risk sites and pathways analysis to identify potential introduction areas and preventative options.
• Trigger rapid response protocol.
Lagarosiphon Lagarosiphon major
Mexican feather
grass
Nassella tenuissima (syn.
Stipa tenuissima)
Miconia
Miconia spp. (all species)
Mikania vine Mikania micrantha
Mimosa Mimosa pigra
Pond apple Annona glabra
Prickly acacia Vachellia nilotica
(syn
. Acacia nilotica)
Rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora
Siam weed Chromolaena odorata
Spotted
knapweed
Centaurea stoebe subsp.
australis
Water caltrop
Trapa spp. (all species)
Water soldier Stratiotes aloides
Witchweed
Striga spp. (except the
native S. parviflora)
Yellow burrhead Limnocharis flava
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 37
State priority weed category – PREVENTION:
The following weeds have not established self-sustaining populations in NSW and pose a significant biosecurity risk to the state. Prohibiting these weeds from the state
to prevent the biosecurity risk posed is a reasonably practical objective.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Parthenium weed Parthenium hysterophorus Prohibited Matter (Part 4, Biosecurity Act, 2015)
A person who deals with any biosecurity matter that is Prohibited Matter throughout the state is guilty of an offence.
A person has a biosecurity duty to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, the biosecurity risk posed by
prohibited matter is prevented, eliminated or minimised.
A person who becomes aware of, or suspects, that a prohibited matter event has occurred, is occurring or is about to
occur has a biosecurity duty to immediately notify the local control authority about the prohibited matter event.
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 35, Biosecurity Regulation, 2017) - parthenium weed carriers – machinery
and equipment
(1) This clause applies to the following equipment:
a. grain harvesters (including the comb or front)
b. comb trailers (including the comb or front)
c. bins used for holding grain during harvest operations
d. augers or similar equipment used for moving grain
e. vehicles used for transporting grain harvesters
f. vehicles used as support vehicles with grain harvesters and that have been driven in paddocks during harvest
operations
g. mineral exploration drilling rigs and vehicles used for transporting those rigs
(2) A person must not import into the State from Queensland any equipment to which this clause applies.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 38
State priority weed category – ERADICATION:
The following weeds are present in limited distribution and abundance and pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW. The measures established under the
control orders are necessary to prevent, eliminate, minimise or manage the biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Boneseed
Parkinsonia
Tropical soda
apple
Chrysanthemoides
monilifera subspecies.
monilifera
Parkinsonia aculeata
Solanum viarum
The boneseed control zone is the whole of NSW
The parkinsonia control zone is the whole of NSW
The tropical soda apple control zone is the whole of NSW
Control measure - owners and occupiers of land
(1) The owner or occupier of land in the control zone on which there is a new infestation of boneseed, parkinsonia
or tropical soda apple must notify the local control authority for that land as soon as practicable of the following
information:
(a) the person’s full name and contact details, including a telephone number
(b) the address of the land, including the lot and deposited plan number and the
property identification code for the land (if these are known)
(c) any other information that is requested by the local control authority.
(2) The owner or occupier of the land must ensure that the land is kept free of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda
apple by immediately destroying all boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple on the land. This requirement applies
to any new infestation as well as any subsequent generations of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple on that
land.
(3) The owner or occupier does not need to comply with subclause (1) if they know that notification of the new infestation
on the land has already been given to the local control authority of that land.
Control measure – persons dealing with carriers
A person who deals with a carrier of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple must take all reasonable steps to
ensure that the carrier is not moved from the land with any boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple on it, attached
to it, or contained in it, before the carrier is moved from the land.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 39
State priority weed category – ERADICATION:
The following weeds are present in limited distribution and abundance and pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW. The measures established under the
control orders are necessary to prevent, eliminate, minimise or manage the biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Boneseed
Parkinsonia
Tropical soda
apple
Chrysanthemoides
monilifera subspecies.
monilifera
Parkinsonia aculeata
Solanum viarum
Control measure – persons moving boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple and carriers of boneseed,
parkinsonia or tropical soda apple
(excluding a human)
(1) A person who moves boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple or a carrier of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical
soda apple (excluding a human) to another property, must notify the local control authority for that other property as
soon as practicable before moving the boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple of the following information:
(a) the person’s full name and contact details
(b) the addresses of the land the boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple is coming from and going to, including the
lot and deposited plan number and the property identification code for the land (if these are known)
(2) A person who moves boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple or a carrier of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical
soda apple (excluding a human) does not need to comply with subclause (1) if they know that notification of the
movement has already been given to the local control authority for that other property.
Note. Examples of when boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple or a carrier of boneseed, parkinsonia or tropical soda apple (excluding a human)
may need to be moved include, but are not limited to, the movement of vehicles, soil, or livestock as well as movement for disposal.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 40
State priority weed category – ERADICATION:
The following weeds are present in limited distribution and abundance and pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW. The measures established under the
control orders are necessary to prevent, eliminate, minimise or manage the biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Chinese violet Asystasia gangetica
subspecies. micrantha
Control order – (Chinese Violet Control Zone)
1. Control measures for owners and occupiers of land
Pursuant to section 62(1)(b) of the Act, an owner or occupier of land in the Chinese Violet Control Zone on which there is
Chinese violet must:
(a) notify the local control authority for the area if the Chinese violet is part of a new infestation of Chinese violet on the
land:
i) as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the new infestation
ii) verbally or in writing
iii) giving the following:
(1) the person’s full name and contact number
(2) the location of the Chinese violet, including the property identification code for the land (if this is known)
(3) any other information reasonably requested by the local control authority
(b) destroy all Chinese violet on the land, including fruit
(c) ensure that subsequent generations of Chinese violet are destroyed
(d) that the land is kept free of Chinese violet
(e) The owner or occupier does not need to comply with (a) above if they know that notification of the infestation on the
land has already been given to the local control authority for the area.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 41
State priority weed category – ERADICATION:
The following weeds are present in limited distribution and abundance and pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW. The measures established under the
control orders are necessary to prevent, eliminate, minimise or manage the biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Chinese violet Asystasia gangetica
subspecies. micrantha
2. Control measures for persons dealing with carriers
Pursuant to section 62(1)(b) of the Act, a person who deals with a carrier of Chinese violet in the Chinese Violet Control
Zone, in circumstances where the person knows or ought reasonably to know of the presence of Chinese violet on the
land or in or on the carrier, must:
a) ensure that Chinese violet (including any seed and propagules) is not moved from the land
b) immediately notify the local control authority for the area:
i) as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the presence of Chinese violet
ii) verbally or in writing
iii) giving the following:
(1) the person’s full name and contact number
(2) the location of the Chinese violet, including the property identification code for the land (if this is known)
iv) any other information reasonably requested by the local control authority.
c) The person who deals with a carrier of Chinese violet does not need to comply with (b) above if they know that
notification of the infestation on the land has already been given to the local control authority for the area.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 42
State priority weed category – ERADICATION AND/OR CONTAINMENT:
The following weeds pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW and vary in distribution and abundance in different parts of the state. The principal object of a
biosecurity zone regulation is to provide for the long term management of a biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Species Land area where requirements apply Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Alligator weed
Alternanthera
philoxeroides
A biosecurity zone, to be known as
the Alligator Weed Biosecurity Zone,
is established for all land within the
state except land in the following
regions:
a) Greater Sydney,
b) Hunter (but only in respect of land
in the local government area of City
of Lake Macquarie, City of Maitland,
City of Newcastle or Port Stephens).
Alligator Weed Biosecurity Zone (Biosecurity Regulation 2017 - Part 5, Division 2)
An owner or occupier of land in the Alligator Weed Biosecurity Zone on which there is the weed
Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) must:
(a) if the weed is part of a new infestation of the weed on the land, notify the local control authority
for the land as soon as practicable in accordance with Part 6
(b) eradicate the weed or if that is not practicable destroy as much of the weed as is practicable and
suppress the spread of any remaining weed.
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation 2017)
A personmust not import into the state or sell.
Regional strategic response:
• develop a region-wide coordinated campaign for collaborative management;
• detailed surveillance and mapping to locate all infestations;
• high level analysis of pathways analysis to identify potential introduction areas and preventative
options;
• implement quarantine and/or hygiene protocols; and
• monitor progress towards eradication.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 43
State priority weed category – ERADICATION AND/OR CONTAINMENT:
The following weeds pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW and vary in distribution and abundance in different parts of the state. The principal object of a
biosecurity zone regulation is to provide for the long term management of a biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Species Land area where requirements apply Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Bitou bush
Chrysanthemoides
monilifera
subspecies.
rotundata
A biosecurity zone, to be known as
the Bitou bush Biosecurity Zone, is
established for all land within the
state except land within 10 kilometres
of the mean high water mark of the
Pacific Ocean between Cape Byron in
the north and Point Perpendicular in
the south.
Bitou Bush Biosecurity Zone (Biosecurity Regulation 2016 - Part 5, Division 3)
An owner or occupier of land in the Bitou Bush Biosecurity Zone on which there is the weed
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subspecies. rotundata (bitou bush) must:
(a) if the weed is part of a new infestation of the weed on the land, notify the local control authority
for the land as soon as practicable in accordance with Part 6
(b) eradicate the weed or if that is not practicable destroy as much of the weed as is practicable and
suppress the spread of any remaining weed.
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation 2017)
A person must not import into the state or sell.
Regional strategic response:
Implement Bitou Bush State Strategic Plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 44
State priority weed category – ERADICATION AND/OR CONTAINMENT:
The following weeds pose a medium to high biosecurity risk to NSW and vary in distribution and abundance in different parts of the state. The principal object of a
biosecurity zone regulation is to provide for the long term management of a biosecurity risk or biosecurity impact.
Species Land area where requirements apply Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Water hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
A biosecurity zone, to be known as
the Water Hyacinth Biosecurity Zone,
is established for all land within the
State except land in the following
regions:
(a) Greater Sydney or North Coast
(b) North West (but only land in
those regions that is in the local
government area of Moree plains)
(c) Hunter (but only land in
that region that is in the local
government area of City of
Cessnock, City of Lake Macquarie,
Mid-Coast, City of Maitland, City of
Newcastle or Port Stephens)
(d) South East (but only land in
that region that is in the local
government area of Eurobodalla,
Kiama, City of Shellharbour, City of
Shoalhaven or City of Wollongong).
Water Hyacinth Biosecurity Zone (Biosecurity Regulation 2017 - Part 5, Division 4)
An owner or occupier of land in the Water Hyacinth Biosecurity Zone on which there is the weed
Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) must:
(a) if the weed is part of a new infestation of the weed on the land, notify the local control authority
for the land as soon as practicable in accordance with Part 6
(b) eradicate the weed, or if that is not practicable destroy as much of the weed as is practicable
and suppress the spread of any remaining weed.
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation 2017):
A person must not import into the State or sell.
Regional strategic response:
• develop a region-wide coordinated campaign for collaborative management
• identification of key sites/assets in the geographic area
• species managed in accordance with published weed management plans.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 45
State priority weed category – CONTAINMENT AND/OR ASSET PROTECTION:
These weeds are widely distributed in some areas of the state. As Weeds of National Significance, their further spread through trade should be minimised to protect
priority assets.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation
2017):
A person must not import into the State or sell.
Asparagus weeds
Asparagus aethiopicus, A. africanus, A. asparagoides
including the Western Cape form*, A. densiflorus, A.
plumosus, and A. scandens
Athel pine Tamarix aphylla
Bellyache bush Jatropha gossypiifolia
Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. (except the varietals
Chester Thornless, Dirksen Thornless, Loch Ness,
Silvan, Black Satin, Murrindindi, Smooth Stem,
Thornfree and Chehalem)
Brooms Genista monspessulana, G. linifolia, Cystisus scoparius
Cabomba Cabomba caroliniana
Cat’s claw creeper Dolichandra unguis-cati
Chilean needle grass Nassella neesiana
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 46
State priority weed category – CONTAINMENT AND/OR ASSET PROTECTION:
These weeds are widely distributed in some areas of the state. As Weeds of National Significance, their further spread through trade should be minimised to protect
priority assets.
Common name Scientific name Biosecurity Act requirements and strategic response in the region
Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis
Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation
2017):
A person must not import into the State or sell.
Gorse Ulex europaeus
Hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis
Lantana Lantana camara
Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia
Mesquite Prosopis spp.
Prickly pears Opuntia spp. (excluding O. ficus-indica), Cylindropuntia
spp. and Austrocylindropuntia spp.
Sagittaria Sagittaria platyphylla
Salvinia Salvinia molesta
Serrated tussock Nassella trichotoma
Silver-leaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium
Willows Salix species except S. babylonica, S. X calodendron
and S. x reichardtiji (willows except weeping willows,
pussy willow and sterile pussy willow)
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 47
A1.2 Regional priority weeds
Some local control authorities have local control programs covering priority species for their area under Section 371 of the Biosecurity Act 2015. In addition to consulting
the regional plan, it is important to check with your council if there are any local programs in place for your local government area. If a plant is not recognised in the
regional plan or in a local program, then it may be dealt with under a general biosecurity duty. Species that are outside of the scope of a plan or program should be
assessed in terms of risk, context and situation before general biosecurity duty is applied.
Regional priority weed category – PREVENTION (whole of region):
The following weeds are currently not found in the region, pose significant biosecurity risk and prevention of the biosecurity risk posed by these weeds is a reasonably
practical objective.
Sickle thorn – Asparagus falcatus
Coral creeper – Barleria repens
Kidney leaf mud plantain – Heteranthera reniformis
Water star grass – Heteranthera zosterifolia
Holly leaved senecio – Senecio glastifolius
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general biosecurity duty
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of
the plant
A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited
to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Strategic response in the South East region
Identify high risk sites and pathways and conduct ongoing surveillance for
incursions of the species.
Prevention of entry to geographic area, and movement and sale within.
Have a collaborative rapid response protocol in place.
Implement site specific biosecurity and / or hygiene protocols.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 48
Regional priority weed category – ERADICATION (whole of region):
The following weeds are currently not found in the region, pose significant biosecurity risk and prevention of the biosecurity risk posed by these weeds is a reasonably
practical objective.
Ming asparagus fern/pompom asparagus – Asparagus macowanii var. zuluensis
Groundsel bush – Baccharis halimifolia
Cat’s claw creeper – Dolichandra unguis-cati (syn. Macfadyena unguis-cati) *
Kei apple – Dovyalis caffra
Horsetails – Equisetum spp.
Senegal tea plant – Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
Water poppy – Hydrocleys nymphoides
Long leaf water primrose – Ludwigia longifolia
Ludwigia – Ludwigia peruviana
Water lettuce – Pistia stratiotes
Kudzu – Pueraria lobata
Salvinia – Salvinia molesta *
Giant devil’s fig – Solanum chrysotrichum
Silverleaf nightshade – Solanum elaeagnifolium *
Sticky nightshade – Solanum sisymbriifolium
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general biosecurity duty
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant
A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying,
selling, growing, keeping, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Notify local control authority if found.
*These species are subject to state requirements. Please see A1.1
Strategic response in the South East region
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties
Destruction of all infestations including seed banks
Prevention of entry to geographic area, and movement and sale within
Monitor progress towards eradication
Undertake high risk sites and pathway inspections.
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 49
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Mysore thorn – Caesalpinia decapetala
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Containment zone: Wollongong
Local Government Area.
Exclusion zone: Whole of region
except containment zone.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
* these species are subject to state requirements.
Please see A1.1
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 50
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Spanish heath – Erica lusitanica
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Containment zone: Queanbeyan-
Palerang, Snowy Monaro and
Wingecarribee Local Government
Areas.
Exclusion zone: Whole of region
except containment zone.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
* these species are subject to state requirements.
Please see A1.1
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 51
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Coolatai grass – Hyparrhenia hirta
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Containment zone: Goulburn
Mulwaree, Shoalhaven, Snowy
Monaro, Wingecarribee, Upper
Lachlan, Wollongong and
Shellharbour Local Government
Areas.
Exclusion zone: Whole of region
except containment zone.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 52
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Lantana – Lantana camara *
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Containment zone: Eurobodalla,
Shoalhaven, Wollongong,
Shellharbour and Kiama Local
Government Areas.
Exclusion zone: Whole of region
except containment zone.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
* these species are subject to state requirements.
Please see A1.1
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 53
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Gorse – Ulex europaeus *
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Containment zone: Goulburn
Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang,
Snowy Monaro, Wingecarribee
and Yass Valley Local Government
Areas.
Exclusion zone: Whole of region
except containment zone.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
* these species are subject to state requirements.
Please see A1.1
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 54
Regional priority weed category – CONTAINMENT:
These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While elimination is not practicable in the containment zone, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by
these weeds to the whole South East region may be reasonably practicable by attempting to prevent spread to new locations outside the containment zone.
Sea Spurge – Euphorbia paralias
Land area where requirements
apply
Outcomes to demonstrate compliance with general
biosecurity duty
Strategic response in the South East region
Exclusion zone: Wollongong,
Shellharbour and Kiama Local
Government Areas.
Whole of region:
Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being
introduced to their land
A person should not deal with the plant, where
dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling,
growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
Within exclusion zone:
Land managers should eradicate the plant from the
land and keep the land free of the plant
Notify local control authority if found.
Within containment zone:
Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant
on assets of high economic, environmental and/or
social value
Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant
from their land.
* these species are subject to state requirements.
Please see A1.1
Within exclusion zone:
Establish agreed quarantine and/or hygiene protocols.
Surveillance and mapping to locate all infested properties and maintain
currency of exclusion zone and objectives.
Monitor change in current distribution to ensure containment of spread.
High level analysis of pathways to identify potential introduction areas and
preventative options
Within containment zone:
Identification of key sites/ assets in the geographic area
Identification of regional containment zones where required
Develop region-wide coordinated campaigns for collaborative management
Species managed in accordance with published weed management plan
Local Land Services South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027 55
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