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Weeds

Weeds are plants that cause problems. A modern definition of a weed is “a plant that requires some form of action to reduce its effect on the economy, the environment, human health and amenity”. Many of the plants that are now considered to be weeds were introduced to Australia by early settlers, or by gardeners and farmers who had little or no knowledge of their future impact on the native environment.

Pesticide Notification Plan

Council’s Pesticide Notification Plan sets out how Council will notify members of the community of pesticide applications made by Council to public places. The plan allows members of the community to take action to avoid contact with pesticides. Council ensures that pesticides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to the community or the environment.

Notice of Intended Pesticide Application

Please see below for current notices

Council currently don’t have any notices of intended pesticide application

Noxious weeds

Some serious weeds are required by law to be controlled by all landholders in an area. These are known as noxious weeds and the law that controls these in NSW is the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 (the Act). Balranald Shire Council is the local control authority for the Balranald Local Government area (LGA) and as such Council is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Act. The Act requires all landholders in a defined area, including local government and state agencies, to control noxious weeds on land they occupy.

Weeds that are declared noxious are those weeds that have potential to cause harm to the community and individuals, and when the cost of implementing a control program out-weighs the cost of continued management.

Environmental Weeds

Environmental weeds are plants that are ‘out of place’ in the natural environment and are not a ‘normal’ part of Australian ecosystems. They are plants that have the potential to impact the natural environment by destroying habitat or over-running indigenous species and altering local biodiversity. Some examples of environmental weeds include Bridal Creeper, Bitou Bush, Boneseed, Blackberry and Lantana.

Environmental weeds can also be native Australian plants that are not local to the area they are growing in. Non-indigenous (that is, not local) species may invade and displace species natural to that area or they may cross pollinate to produce new species which may in time, alter regional biodiversity. Of the almost 3000 introduced plant species known to be established in the Australian environment, 65% are ‘escaped’ garden plants.

Agricultural Weeds

Agricultural and horticultural weeds are those plants that have a negative effect on crop or animal production.  They reduce the area available for agricultural activities, interfere with agricultural practices and affect the quality of produce. Some examples of agricultural weeds are Serrated Tussock, Thistles, Blue Heliotrope, St John’s Wort, Paterson’s Curse and Blackberry.

View the Balranald Shire Noxious Weeds Policy

For more information contact the Council Weeds Officer on 03 5020 1300

Information on noxious weeds and their management can be found by visiting the NSW Department of Primary Industry or the Eastern/Western Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Group