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 60oC+ 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 |
Additional Resources
Weed Management Plan Example Templates
- Example Weed Management Plan Template – Blank
- Example Weed Management Plan Template – Gorse
- Example Weed Management Plan Template – Spanish Heath
For more information on biosecurity measures, read NRM South’s Farm Biosecurity Guide.