We manage and prioritise weeds across our bushland reserves, parks, public open spaces and road reserves. Council also collaborate with other landowners/agencies in managing priority weeds across the landscape. 

Our weed management programs based on our Clarence Weed Strategy 2016-2030 and statutory requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2019 – laws which apply to all landowners. The Act reinforces that everyone has a role to play in protecting our unique environment against invasive weeds and its gives declared weeds legal status.  

For home and property owners see Weeds on Your Property webpage.

Weeds in Clarence

Some high-priority weeds (listed in the Biosecurity Act 2019) in Clarence are: 

  • Chilean needlegrass (Nassella neesiana) and Texas needlegrass (Nassella leucotricha)  
  • African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)   
  • Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)  
  • Pampas grass (Cortaderia spp.)  
  • Mediterranean daisy (Urospermum dalechampii)  
  • St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)  
  • Vipers bugloss (Echium vulgare)

Environmental weeds in Clarence are not declared in the Biosecurity Act 2019 but are identified as threat to natural values:

  • Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) 
  • Mirror bush (Coprosma repens) 
  • Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) 
  • Bluebell creeper (Billardiera heterophylla)

Weed management 

Some of the ways in which we manage weeds across the city include:

  • Cut and paint of woody weeds 
  • Targeted herbicide spraying of herbaceous and grassy weeds using a combination of selective and knockdown herbicides
  • Manual removal – e.g. handpulling or chipping out 
  • Mulching
  • Revegetation and re-seeding of competitive and desirable native vegetation 

The Natural Areas Strategy sets out the ways in which we manage our natural areas.

Council’s use of Herbicides  

There are a range of regulations which apply when council use herbicides as part of its weed management programs, these are:  

  • Code of Practice for Ground Spraying (DPIPWE 2014)  
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995 and regulations under this Act  
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

In addition to the above, council only uses herbicides that are registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for use in Australia and are applied according to label directions.

Staff and contractors must hold appropriate levels of accreditation to be able to use the chemicals and follow Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) including the use of personal protective equipment.  

Use of glyphosate

The APVMA assesses the safety of glyphosate products, and registered glyphosate products are considered safe to use when the instructions on the label are followed. 

Council continues to monitor the advice relating to glyphosate from the regulating bodies.   

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