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.
Wagga's Most Wanted Weeds
Khaki Weed (Alternanthera pungens)
Description: A low growing mat-forming annual weed with reddish-green stems, small oval leaves up to 5cm long, and a deep perennial tap root. It produces small, spiky arrow shaped burrs at stem joints, which stick painfully to feet, pet paws, and clothing, causing it to spread quickly.
Distribution: Widespread weed that commonly grows during November through to February across Wagga Wagga and throughout Australia. Khaki weed thrives in compacted and disturbed areas such as footpaths, driveways, parks, and open spaces.
Treatment method: Manual removal before burrs form, digging out as much of the root as possible. A suitable herbicide can also be applied in thick infestations, making sure to follow the directions on the label.
Prevention: It is notoriously persistent and invasive, especially in areas with poor ground cover. Planting or mulching will help prevent regrowth. Loosening and aerating compacted soils can assist greatly in creating better conditions for more desirable plantings.
Weed Hygiene: When mowing lawns, it is best to mow the healthy areas first, then move to the areas where weeds are present to limit their spread. Once mowing is completed, clean down your machine in a safe area that will contain any weed seeds and material, and dispose of them in your green FOGO bin where it will be composted, killing the weed seeds
Additional Info: For herbicide options, speak to your local nursery and garden specialist, or go to the NSW Government WeedWise website.
Cat-heads (Tribulus terrestris)
Description: Recognisable by its small yellow flowers and sharp, spiky burrs, which resemble a cat’s head and can injure feet, bike tyres, pets, and livestock.
Distribution: An aggressive, low-growing weed that spreads across bare ground in hot, dry conditions. Common in disturbed areas, roadsides, playgrounds, and rural properties. It thrives in full sun and sandy or compacted soils.
Treatment method: Manual removal, before burrs form. A suitable herbicide can also be applied in thick infestations, making sure to follow the directions on the label. Dispose of burrs carefully into your green FOGO bin—each one carries multiple seeds that remain viable in soil for years. Prevent reinfestation by maintaining healthy groundcover and monitoring disturbed sites.
Prevention: It is notoriously persistent and invasive, especially in areas with poor ground cover. Planting or mulching will help prevent regrowth. Loosening and aerating compacted soils can assist greatly in creating better conditions for more desirable plantings.
Weed Hygiene: When mowing lawns, it is best to mow the healthy areas first, then move to the areas where weeds are present to limit their spread. Once mowing is completed, clean down your machine in a safe area that will contain any weed seeds and material, and dispose of them in your green FOGO bin where it will be composted, killing the weed seeds.
Additional Info: For herbicide options, speak to your local nursery and garden specialist, or go to the NSW Government WeedWise website.
Bindii (Soliva sessilis)
Description: Produces small, fern-like leaves and inconspicuous flowers. As it matures in late spring to summer (Nov-Feb) it forms sharp, spiny seed burrs at the leaf base, which cause painful injuries when stepped on barefoot.
Distribution: A low growing, spreading annual weed common in compacted and disturbed areas. Bindis often appear in winter and growing rapidly in Spring (Sept-Nov).
Treatment method: Manual removal, before burrs form. A suitable broadleaf herbicide can also be applied in thick infestations, making sure to follow the directions on the label. Encourage dense turf growth to prevent reinfestation
Prevention: It is notoriously persistent and invasive, especially in areas with poor ground cover. Planting or mulching will help with prevent regrowth. Loosening and aerating compacted soils can assist greatly in creating better conditions for plantings.
Weed Hygiene: When mowing lawns, it is best to mow the healthy areas first, then move to the areas where weeds are present to limit their spread. Once mowing is completed, clean down your machine in a safe area that will contain any weed seeds and material, and dispose of them in your green FOGO bin where it will be composted killing the weed seeds.
Additional Info: For herbicide options, speak to your local nursery and garden specialist, or go to the NSW Government WeedWise website.
Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula)
Description: Low, dense mats with deeply lobed, woolly leaves and distinctive yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centres.
Distribution: Capeweed forms in lawns, roadsides, paddocks, and disturbed areas across Wagga and inland Australia, particularly in autumn and spring. It thrives in full sun and bare, compacted soils.
Treatment method: Manual removal best done before seeding. A suitable selective herbicide can also be applied in thick infestations, making sure to follow the directions on the label.
Prevention: It is notoriously persistent and invasive, especially in areas with poor ground cover. Planting or mulching will help with prevent regrowth. Loosening and aerating compacted soils can assist greatly in creating better conditions for plantings.
Weed Hygiene: When mowing lawns, it is best to mow the healthy areas first, then move to the areas where weeds are present to limit their spread. Once mowing is completed, clean down your machine in a safe area that will contain any weed seeds and material, and dispose of them in your FOGO bin where it will be composted, killing the weed seeds.
Additional Info: For herbicide options, speak to your local nursery and garden specialist, or go to the NSW Government WeedWise website.
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus aggregate)
Description: A thorny, perennial shrub forming dense, impenetrable thickets with arching canes and dark green, serrated leaves. Produces white to pink flowers in spring and edible black berries in summer.
Distribution: Highly invasive in urban, rural, and riparian areas around Wagga, thrives in disturbed soils, creek banks, and pastures.
Treatment method: Requires a combination of mechanical removal, herbicide application, and ongoing monitoring to prevent regrowth from roots and suckers. Early intervention and follow-up treatments are crucial for effective management and restoration of native habitats.
Prevention: It is notoriously persistent and invasive, especially in areas with poor ground cover. Planting or mulching will help with prevent regrowth. Loosening and aerating compacted soils can assist greatly in creating better conditions for more desirable plantings.
Weed Hygiene: When mowing lawns, it is best to mow the healthy areas first, then move to the areas where weeds are present to limit their spread. Once mowing is completed, clean down your machine in a safe area that will contain any weed seeds and material, and dispose of them in your green FOGO bin where it will be composted, killing the weed seeds.
Additional Info: For herbicide options, speak to your local nursery and garden specialist, or go to the NSW Government WeedWise website.
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.
What can you do to help decrease the spread of weeds?
- 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