Rous County Council

Our region is a hotspot for weeds. Our weather supports the growth and spread of all types of weeds, but some weeds are a biosecurity concern.

It is little-known that in NSW the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 was replaced by The Biosecurity Act 2015. Under the Act, we all have a shared responsibility to protect our environment, industry and economy from weed biosecurity threats.

Rous County Council is the local weed biosecurity control authority. It is important to notify the weed biosecurity team of suspected sightings of certain invasive weeds. A list of these invasive weeds is available in the Priority Weeds of the Far North Coast book (accessible for free download at www.rous.nsw.gov.au/weed-resources).

Rous County Council has a dedicated Weed Biosecurity team. They are available to contact for advice on weed control, support on weed identification, and they are also the team that respond to weed notifications.

There are some things that we can all do to stop the spread of weeds.

Learn about priority weeds today. Know the weeds that are a biosecurity focus in the Far North Coast.

Control your weeds early. It is always best to start weed control early in the plant cycle to reduce the spread of seed. It is also easier to control juvenile plants than larger mature and woody weeds.

Adopt biosecurity awareness at home and in the community. Be mindful of the spread of weed seed through any means (human, animal, machinery, earth). If you have new or returning livestock, use a seven-day quarantine paddock to reduce the spread of new weeds.

Rous County Council is focused on weed biosecurity risks and encourages residents to learn about the priority weeds of our region.

Visit www.rous.nsw.gov. au/weed-resources for more information or phone Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, February-March 2023.