Weeds are non-indigenous plants that can outcompete native flora, reduce biodiversity, increase fire risk, pose a health and safety risk to humans, livestock and other animals; and threaten our agricultural productivity.
There are a range of ways we can all help control the spread of weeds and unwanted vegetation to help support our native habitats thrive.
Who is responsible for managing weeds on their property?
Under the Biosecurity Act 2019 and Biosecurity Regulations 2022 land owners are responsible for managing declared weeds on their property. The Act explains the principle of a ‘General Biosecurity Duty’, which reinforces that everyone has a role to play in protecting our unique environment and primary industries against biosecurity risks such as invasive weeds.
See also Weeds on Council Land for information on how we manage weeds across the city.
How to identify declared weeds
View the Weeds of Southern Tasmania guide to identify weeds you might find on your property and also the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania Weed Index for a comprehensive list of declared weeds with images.
Council may use herbicides to spray weeds on nature strips near your home – you can opt out of this and maintain the area yourself. Visit the No Spray Register webpage.
How to manage weeds on your property
There are a range of tings you can do at home and on your property to minimise the spread of weeds in our region.
- Minimise soil and ground disturbance: Not all weed seed will germinate, but if it is exposed to the soil surface with access to light, warmth, water and without competition then you will get mass germination of weeds.
- Minimise the introduction of new weeds to your property: Only use clean and reliable sources of soil, sand, fill and mulch; and practice good hygiene ensuring garden machinery (lawnmowers and brush cutters) are cleaned if used at another property, and boots, clothes and animals are free of weed seeds after visiting properties with known weeds.
- Integrated weed management: Use a variety of control methods such as manual removal, mulching, competition, cut and paint, non-chemical methods (heat, steam and solarisation) and herbicides (both organic and synthetic) that target various stages of the weeds life cycle.
- Don’t dump garden waste: Don’t dispose of garden or green waste over your back fence or on roadsides – please use your green waste bins. Aside from breaking the law and council by-laws the majority of environmental weeds begin as garden escapees or from dumped garden waste.
Declared weed material should never be disposed of in green waste bins. Declared weed material should be double-bagged and disposed of at an approved waste management facility.
If you decide to use herbicides then it is essential that you follow the label directions and use the recommended personal protective equipment when mixing and applying the herbicide.