Vegetation, Weeds and Pesticide Use

Vegetation & Noxious Weeds

Environmental weeds reduce the diversity and abundance of native species or adversely affect the function of natural ecosystems. They can do this by forming dense stands that shade and smother native species or by altering natural disturbance regimes such as fire frequency. This can have profound effects on the structure and diversity of vegetation communities.

In addition, weed infestations can reduce the aesthetic appeal of our natural environment for public recreation and appreciation, and invade neighbouring properties where they may reduce agricultural production. Unlike native plants, introduced weeds have no natural predators or diseases in their new environment.

Most of the state’s environmental weeds were initially introduced as garden plants. In some cases, their seeds were dispersed across the landscape by birds, animals or the wind. In other cases they have escaped out of gardens or spread into bushland areas from dumped garden waste.

Weeds can have damaging effects on our natural landscape and biodiversity. They can harm native plants and animals, water catchments and agriculture and have a negative impact on the economy, human health and recreational activities.

Brewarrina Shire Council has a legal responsibility for managing weeds across the Shire lands under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.

Landholders also have a responsibility to control weeds on their lands. The Office of Environment and Heritage offers descriptions of major weeds in NSW and a broad range of weed management information links and resources on their website.

Pesticide Use

Brewarrina Shire Council’s Pesticide Use Notification plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Pesticides Regulation 2017 (the Regulation).

The aim of the plan is to meet the community’s general right to know about pesticide applications made to outdoor public places owned or controlled by public authorities. The plan allows members of the community to take action to avoid potential contact with pesticides, if they wish.

Council ensures that pesticides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to the community or the environment. The plan sets out how the council will notify members of the community of pesticide applications made by the Council to public places.

The plan describes:
• what public places are covered by the plan
• who regularly uses these public places, and an estimate of the level of use
• how and when the Council will provide the community with information about its pesticide
applications in public places (that is, what notification arrangements will be used)
• how the community can access this plan and get more information about the Council’s notification arrangements
• how future reviews of the plan will be conducted
• contact details for anyone wishing to discuss this plan with the council.

A copy for Brewarrina Shire Council’s Pesticide Use Plan can be viewed HERE.

Landholder Responsibilities

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act), everyone has a general biosecurity duty ‘to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.’

As the local control authority, under the Act Brewarrina Shire Council has the following responsibilities:

(a) To the prevent, eliminate, minimise and manage the biosecurity risk posed or likely to be posed by weeds,

(b) To develop, implement, co-ordinate and review weed control programs,

(d) To keep records about the exercise of the local control authority’s functions under this Act,

(e) To report to the Secretary about the exercise of the local control authority’s functions under this Act.

Council has an appointed Authorised Officer to uphold these responsibilities.

As part of duties under the Act, Brewarrina Shire Council wishes to advise all landholders (rural and residential), that properties are to be inspected at least once in a five year period for weed review. Council will provide notice via mail in relation to these property inspections. If you would like an inspection prior to receiving any correspondence please do not hesitate to contact the Council’s Regulatory Weeds Officer at skyep@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6830 5100.

Western Region Priority Weeds

Here is further information on each of our region’s priority weeds. This includes general information, control and biosecurity duty. This information is provided from NSW WEEDWISE.

Western Region Priority Weeds

Shrubs

Trees

Karroo Acacia (Karroo Thorn)

Water weeds

Grasses

Giant Reed (Elephant Grass)

Herbs

Silverleaf Nightshade

Cactus

Boxing Glove Cactus

Rope Pear (Devil’s Rope)

If you require any further information or you have particular issue with our regional priority weeds, please don’t hesitate to contact Council’s Weeds Officer: skyep@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6830 5100.

Useful links and information:

NSW Weedwise or download the NSWweedwise app on your mobile device.

New South Wales Weed Control Handbook, Seventh Edition

Weeds Australia

LLS- Western Region Priority Weed Identification Guide

Managing feed and fodder risks during dry times

Council Contact

Further information, please contact:

Skye Phelps

Brewarrina Shire Council’s Regulatory (Weeds) Officer

Phone: 02 6830 5100

Email: skyep@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au .