Know your weeds

The most important part of weed control is knowing your enemy. Learn to identify common weeds, including those which aren’t yet widespread in our area, and get unfamiliar plants identified if you suspect they may be weeds.

Some options for identifying the weeds on your property include:

Ask us! Call 1300 345 345 to speak with one of our Biosecurity Officers, or email photos marked Attn: Biosecurity to council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au. To help us make a positive ID please ensure you take a clear photo of the whole plant as well as close-ups of leaves, flowers, and fruit or seed pods.
Visit NSW DPI's WeedWise or download the free app to search by name if you already suspect what it is, or by characteristics such as flower colour and leaf shape.
WeedScan is an exciting new weed identification resource recently developed by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Its AI model can identify priority weed species and provide links to management information, as well as record and report occurrences of priority weeds. WeedScan can be accessed via your browser or as a free app for smartphones.
Download the Prohibited Matter(PDF, 1MB) and Weeds of the Monaro(PDF, 1MB) booklets, or pick up a free copy from your nearest Council office.

State Priority Weeds

Prohibited Matter

Prohibited Matter is biosecurity matter that is listed in Schedule 2 of the Biosecurity Act 2015, with the objective to prevent the entry of these species into NSW. Under this legislation, it is an offence to deal with or possess prohibited matter, and all persons have a duty to notify the local control authority of the presence or suspected presence of prohibited matter.

If you think you've seen any of the weeds in this booklet(PDF, 1MB) contact Council’s Biosecurity Officers on 1300 345 345 or SMRCBiosecurityStaff@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au, or the Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244. Your local Biosecurity Officers will work with NSW DPI in assisting landholders to ensure any incursions of these species are eradicated from the South East Region.

Anchored water hyacinth

Black knapweed

Bridal veil creeper

Broomrape

Eurasian water milfoil

Frogbit/Spongeplant

Gamba grass

Hawkweeds

Hydrocotyl/Water pennywort

Mexican feather grass

Control Orders

These species must be eradicated within the Snowy Monaro Region. Council's Biosecurity Officers must be notified of any known or suspected infestations.

Biosecurity Zone

Within the Snowy Monaro Region, these species must be eradicated where practicable, or as much of the weed destroyed as practicable, and any remaining weed suppressed. Council's Biosecurity Officers must be notified of any known or suspected infestations.

Alligator weed

Bitou bush

Water hyacinth

Mandatory Measures

These species are subject to mandatory measures under the Biosecurity Act - they can not be sold or imported into the state. This includes any part of the plant, living or dead.

Blackberry (some varieties are exempt)

Silverleaf nightshade

Tropical soda apple

Water hyacinth

Willows (some varieties are exempt)

Regional Priority Weeds

Regional priority weeds are those that have been assessed by the South East Regional Weed Committee as posing a significant biosecurity risk and having a high feasibility of coordinated control. These species are outlined in the South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023-2027, which aims to prioritise the most important weeds in the region and guide management efforts to enable consistent and cooperative weed management across the whole of the South East Region.

Follow the links below for further information on priority species in the South East Region.

Prevent

Coral creeper

Holly leaved senecio

Kidney leaf mud plantain

Eradicate

Long-leaf willow primrose

Ludwigia

Ming asparagus fern/pompom asparagus

Salvinia

Senegal tea plant

Silverleaf nightshade

Sticky nightshade

Water lettuce

Water poppy

Contain

Local Priority Weeds

These species are not specifically regulated at a state or regional level as they are widespread, however they have significant impacts on agricultural and environmental assets in the Snowy Monaro region. Landholders should learn how to identify and manage these species using Integrated Weed Management to minimise their impacts on our local communities.

St.-Johns-wort.jpeg

Garden Escapees and Environmental Weeds

Many of the weeds in our environment are species which were introduced to Australia as garden plants but have since escaped into the wild where they can reduce biodiversity and habitat for native fauna, and encourage pest animals such as rabbits.

You can help reduce the spread of environmental weeds by:

Removing weeds from your garden and replacing them with safer alternatives – see Grow Me Instead
Checking your choices before you plant new species – ask your nursery about the potential weediness of a species or visit Gardening Responsibly
Disposing of garden waste properly – compost on site, or take it to your local Landfill for disposal.
Not allowing aquatic plants from aquariums or ponds to get into local waterways

The following are some of the invasive species commonly found in gardens and around homesteads and farm buildings across the Monaro.

African boxthorn

Blue periwinkle