The Snowy River Shire region is predominantly pastoral land which relies on the indigenous native grasslands and introduced pastures, climate permitting. Pastoral activities and increasing urban infrastructure development have impacted on the natural environment in the region. The Snowy River Shire Council Vegetation Management Office assists in the management of the vegetation on Crown land, roadsides, public and private land by managing noxious weeds in accordance to relevant legislation.

What is a Noxious Weed?

Although there are many plants which could be classed as weeds, only those plants which have a detrimental effect or cause serious economic loss to agriculture or the environment (providing there is a reasonable and enforceable means of control) are considered as candidates for declaration as noxious weeds. Plants are declared noxious by order of the Minister for Agriculture.

Who is Responsible for Control of Noxious Weeds

Council's Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Local Council to;

Inspect all lands for declared noxious weeds;

To control noxious weeds on Council-owned land and roadsides;

To enforce control of noxious weeds on private land, using the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act 1993.

To control noxious weeds on council-owned and public land, thereby fulfilling Council's obligations and setting an example to landholders.

Responsibilities of Owners and Occupiers of Land

Owners and occupiers of land, rural and urban, are reminded that it is their responsibility to control all declared noxious weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act. Failure to do so leaves owners and occupiers liable for considerable fines. It is every ratepayer's responsibility to be aware of weeds issues. The aim of weed control is to deplete weed seed reserves and prevent further replenishment of the seed store by preventing growth of the weed.

Inspections

The purpose of property inspections is to monitor noxious weed infestations, to locate new infestations, to provide owners and occupiers of land with information and advice on control of noxious weeds and to determine whether control as required under the Act have been met.

Weeds Declared Noxious in Snowy River Shire and the New Noxious Weeds Classes and Control Measures

Significant Amendments to the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 were passed by NSW Parliament last year and these amendments commenced on 1 March, 2006.

The weeds declared noxious in the Snowy River Shire have been assigned to weed control classes and were published in Weed Control Order no.19 issued by Minister for Primary Industries (published in the Government Gazette No. 166, 23 December 2005).The Act specifies five classes of declared noxious weeds.

Councils are required to prepare a management plan for each of the locally controlled weeds. The local weed management plan must specify the measures on how the growth and the spread of the weed are to be controlled.

Noxious Weeds in Snowy River Shire

Local Weed Management Plans

Methods of Weed Control

The aim of weed control is to deplete weed seed reserves and prevent further replenishment of the seed store by preventing growth of the weeds and to remove vegetative plant parts including roots, stems, branches, stolons, tubers or other plant parts which may allow the plant to propagate vegetatively.

Methods of Weed Control

Fact Sheets for High Priority Local Weeds

"Get to Know" facts sheets are available for the high priority weeds in Snowy River Shire. These sheets provide information on identification and control.

Noxious Weed Fact Sheets