Noxious Weeds
What is a noxious weed?
A noxious weed is a plant that has been "declared" under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993.
The process of having a weed declared under the Act can be quite complex. It has to be demonstrated that the weed has the potential to have a serious impact on the environment, the community and/or farming/animal pursuits. There must be a reasonable means of control - no use having a weed declared if it can't be controlled. Full information on declaration criteria is available on the NSW DPI website.
Weeds may be declared noxious on a local area basis or on a whole state basis. Weeds may be declared or deleted from declaration, and weed categories may change from time to time.
The Act gives Council, as the Local Control Authority, the power to require occupiers of land to control noxious weeds. Where any occupier fails to control weeds on their land, the Council may issue a notice for the control of the weed. Penalties apply for failure to comply with a weed control notice.
The main intent of the Act is to reduce the incidence of noxious weeds and their impact on the environment. Please see the Noxious Weeds Act page in this website for information on the Act as it relates to local councils areas within the NIWAC region.
Identifying Noxious Weeds
There are approximately 80 different weed species on the current noxious weeds list for New South Wales. Most of these (Class 1 and 2 weeds) are rarely found in New South Wales - they are on the list as an education and preventative measure, hopefully so they can be kept out of New South Wales. Generally, each council area has only about 30 noxious weeds to contend with.
There are many websites containing information on identification and control of noxious weeds. This NIWAC website does not intend to "re-invent the wheel" in this regard. Instead, this website offers you a list of informative websites that already have this type of information available.
Click here to see a list of Related Sites
Weed Plans
>> Glen Innes Severn CC4 Management Plans
>> Tamworth CC4 Weed Management Plans
>> New England Weeds Austhority CC4 Management Plans