Weeds and the Huon Valley

Weed Definition

The definition of weed is simply a plant that is growing where it is not wanted. For instance, grass is valued as part of a lawn, but viewed as a weed in a vegetable garden. Environmental weeds are non-native plants that invade bushland and threaten the native plants through competing for resources. Declared weeds are plants listed in the Biosecurity Act 2019 and Biosecurity Regulations 2022 legislation as plants that have potential adverse impacts in Tasmania.

Reporting a Weed

If you think you have seen one of these weeds, please take two photographs: one of the entire plant, and one close up of the leaves and flowers. Don’t forget to note the location and then send the information to NRM Unit. Contact us to confirm identification and action eradication measure if appropriate.

Biosecurity Reminder

Arrive at your destination with clean vehicles and clean, healthy stock. Review the activities you have in place to protect your farm from weeds, pests and diseases. Biosecurity activities protect farm productivity, in turn protecting farm profitability and the industry as a whole. Consider the risks to your property and plan to reduce them through biosecurity measures.

Be prepared – put these phone numbers in your phone now:
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888
Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881

How can you better manage weeds on your property?

While Council does conduct and coordinate weed control programs on public land from time to time, land-owners are also encouraged to take responsibility for the control of weeds on their own property and adjoining roadside.

If you are interested in controlling weeds without using herbicides, consider using steam or boiling water methods. Council has prepared some documents to assist you in developing your own weed management plan unique to your property. These can be found in the ‘Additional Resources’ section of this page.

Further information on how to identify and control weeds:

Weed Identification Guide for the Huon Valley
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Index of Declared Weeds
Weeds of National Significance
Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy Downloads
The public Facebook group Tasmanian Weeds
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Weed and Disease Planning and Hygiene Guidelines

How can you dispose of weeds safely?

At this stage, none of the Waste Transfer Stations in the Huon Valley accept declared weeds.

The options available to you all involve the use of heat to kill any viable weed seeds:

Place weed material in double rubbish bags with a splash of water and leave in the sun for a period of at least 3 months before disposing of in the general waste.
Incinerate in an enclosed (to contain seed material and increase heat) incinerator or drum.
Hot compost to 60^oC+ before using composted materials.

How does the Council manage declared weeds?

The Huon Valley’s priority weeds, along with the category associated with a particular management approach, can be found in the Huon Valley Weed Management Strategy.

Note that the main highways and some main roads are managed by State Growth and any reports of weeds on these roads can be forwarded to State Growth directly or via the NRM Unit of Council.

Watch List

Photo	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Heather	Calluna vulgaris
	Horsetail	Equisetum sp.
	African boxthorn	Lycium ferocissimum
	Parrotfeather	Myriophyllum aquaticum
	Darwins barberry	Berberis darwinii
	White-edged nightshade	Solanum marginatum

Priority 1 Weeds

Photo	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Bridal creeper	Asparagus asparagoides
	Paterson’s curse	Echium plantagineum
	St John’s Wort	Hypericum perforatum
	Square-stemmed St John’s Wort	Hypericum tetrapterum
	African feather grass	Pennisetum macrourum
	Creeping yellowcress	Rorippa sylvestris
	Karamu	Coprosma robusta
	Thornapple or Datura	Datura spp.
	African lovegrass	Eragrostis curvula
	Horehound	Marrubium vulgare
	Yellow burr weed or Fiddleneck	Amsinckia calycina
	Bathurst burr	Xanthium spinosum

Priority 2 Weeds

Photo	Common Name	Scientific Name
	New Zealand sedge	Carex flagellifera
	Pampas grass	Cortaderia spp.
	Seeding willow species (white willow, grey willow, basket willow, purple osier)	Salix alba, S. cinerea, S. Xrubens, S. purpurea

Priority 3 Weeds

Photo	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Boneseed	Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera
	Elishas tears	Leycesteria formosa
	Ragwort	Senecio jacobaea
	European holly	Ilex aquifolium

Priority 4 Weeds

Photo	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare
	Slender thistles	Carduus spp.
	Creeping or Californian thistle	Cirsium arvense
	English Broom	Cytisus scoparius
	Spanish heath	Erica lusitanica
	Canary or Montpellier broom	Genista monspessulana
	Blackberry	Rubus fruticosus aggregate
	Crack willow	Salix fragilis
	Gorse	Ulex europaeus