Weeds are a major threat to our unique natural environment, threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants and animals in NSW. Weeds consist of various types including Environmental, Agricultural, Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) and National Environmental Alert List Weeds.
Biosecurity is the protection of our economy, environment, and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases, weeds, and contaminants. In NSW, all plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose.
Council’s Vegetation Management Officers assist in the management of the vegetation on Council land, roadsides, public and private land by managing biosecurity in accordance with relevant legislation. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or should know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Weed Identification
If you would like help identifying weeds, the NSW Weedwise website and the Priority Weeds of the Murray and Riverina Regions, Identification Guide contains a list of priority weeds throughout NSW, describing, their Profile, Control (including registered herbicide options) and Biosecurity duty (under the Biosecurity Act 2015).
Council’s Vegetation Management Officers conduct property inspections and are available to help with weed identification or treatment plan. Contact the team via: Phone: 1300 292 442 Email: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Help stop the spread
There are some initiatives being implemented in our local area for the community to use to help stop the spread of weeds.
Weed hygiene stations are popping up at parks and reserves, and along sections of the Wiradjuri Walking Track, as a tool to help prevent the spread of weeds.
Designed by our own vegetation management team, these weed hygiene stations play an important role in stopping the spread of weeds and help us learn more about weed movement.
The weed hygiene stations are also award winning through recognition at the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards.
How to use a Weed Hygiene Station
Firstly, users brush down their clothing, equipment such as bikes, and even the dog to remove any seeds. This stops the transport of weeds between sites.
Secondly, the seeds are brushed into the base of the station and collected for identification. Learning more about what seeds are present can help Council better direct resources to target specific weeds.
You will spot the weed hygiene stations at:
- Pomingalarna Reserve
- Marrambidya Wetland
- Wiradjuri Walking Track
Weeds are great hitchhikers. Their seeds can stick to anything that passes by be it humans, animals or vehicles. This means weed seeds can travel far and wide and easily infest other areas if we don't take action.
The Red Guide Post Program has been continued and managed locally by Wagga Wagga City Council to mark roadsides where a priority weed has been identified at a high risk site. Please avoid driving through or stopping on the roadside with any vehicles or machinery, and refrain from moving stock through these areas.
Currently there are 42 red guide post locations within the Wagga Wagga local government area. Local priority weed species at these sites include:
- Cane needle grass
- Chilean needle grass
- Coolatai grass
- Serrated tussock
- Spiny burr grass
If you need to undertake work within the roadside corridor in a red guide post area please contact Council’s Vegetation Management Team on 1300 292 442 for advice.
- Dispose of your garden waste through Council’s kerbside waste, waste management facility or compost. Never dump garden waste over the back fence or in bushland.
- Don’t let your garden weeds escape
- Always cover trailers when transporting plant material
- Be aware that weed seeds are transported on vehicles, trailers, clothing, shoes, pets and soil. Use weed hygiene stations to remove potential weed seeds.
What is Council doing to decrease the spread of weeds?
- Implementing the Wagga Wagga Roadside Vegetation Management Plan
- Conducting regular inspections on private properties and public land, providing feedback and advice on best methods of weed management
- Installing red guideposts on roadsides to tell drivers where priority weeds are present and where they should avoid stopping
- Installing weed hygiene stations at reserves and on walking trails to reduce the spread of weed