Invasive Species

City of Newcastle will occasionally need to treat pests on public land. Pests on private land are not investigated by us unless it is an overgrown/unmaintained block causing a vermin issue. This is then investigated by Regulatory Services.
 
Pest and Weed officers are available to meet face to face (on site) or offer advice and identify all types of pest problems reported by residents, but will not recommend specific pest companies to carry out treatments, so as to avoid conflict of interests.

The best and most cost effective means of weed control is prevention. Hunter Regional Weeds is a website regarding noxious weeds in your area.

Some tips to keep your backyard, farm, local bushland and waterways weed free:

• Get to know the local weeds in your area
• Be aware that weed seeds are transported on vehicles, trailers, clothing, shoes, in soil and in pet fur and hair
• Always stick to designated tracks when walking, horse-riding, driving, riding pushbikes or motorbikes through natural areas
• Dispose of weeds that are already seeding by placing them in a black plastic bag, sealing it and 'baking it' in the sun for a couple of weeks prior to placing it in the bin
• Compost or dispose of other garden and green waste in our green waste collections or by carefully transporting it to your council's green waste tip. NEVER dump garden waste over the back fence or in bushland
• Always cover trailers when transporting plant material to prevent seeds and other live plant material falling off
• Consider carefully what plants you buy for ponds and aquariums
• Never dump aquarium water or contents down drains or into waterways
• Be aware that birds and wind can disperse weed seeds 20 - 30kms from your home
• Stop water and fertilisers running from your garden into bushland areas. Nutrient enriched soils promote weed growth
• Wash your car on the lawn to prevent detergents entering the waterways via stormwater drains, where they become food for weeds.

Pesticides Use Notification Plan

The Pesticides Use Notification Plan aims  to meet the community's  right to know about pesticide applications in public places that are owned or controlled by us. The plan allows members of the community to take action to avoid contact with pesticides, if they wish. We will ensure that pesticides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to the community or the environment.

The plan sets out how we will notify members of the community of pesticide applications made by City of Newcastle to public places. It covers all of the Newcastle Local Government Area.

There are 23 weed species in Newcastle LGA that have been identified by the Department of Primary Industry as being a priority to control or eradicate..

Weed prioritisation is based on a weed risk assessment (WRA) across the Hunter region and the Newcastle LGA. In some specific cases, a site specific WRA may be undertaken to assess the risks an invasive plant may pose to key assets such as threatened ecosystems or listed vulnerable species.

We aim to manage weeds earlier rather than later as it is more cost effective. Newcastle's weed management objectives support this principle and prioritises outcomes for which can be achieved in the early stages of the invasion process.

Read the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2017 – 2022

The introduction of exotic aquatic plants into Australia and particularly NSW has affected our wetlands, streams, rivers and estuaries.

• Cabomba
• Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
• Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
• Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
• Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Prevention

Preventing the introduction of noxious aquatic weeds into local waterways is difficult.  A major problem stems from the use of these plants in aquariums and backyard ponds. The weeds are spread when they are transferred from aquariums and ponds into waterways. Fines may be issued for this and other activities which do not comply with the control requirements of the Noxious Weeds Act

Control options

Land owners and occupiers should contact City of Newcastle's Noxious Weeds Officers for advice on suitable control options for specific locations.

Herbicide application in and around water is a reasonable control method, but these applications are strictly controlled by government regulations. Incorrect use of herbicides can cause damage locally and have an impact downstream and on attached ecosystems.

We need your help to control weeds. Report any infestations you find in open waterways or in / on business premises and private properties.

Please help to stop these noxious plants taking over our waterways and river systems.

Pollution Incident Response Management Plan

Download the Pollution Incident Response Management Plan - EPL 5583: Application of Herbicides

For further information on aquatic weeds contact us here

Find out more on noxious weeds at NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, all members of the community have a General Biosecurity Duty to manage biosecurity matter, including weeds and pest animals, whether they are owner, occupier or carrier. The Act also covers the sale of some weed plant species and the introduction of weeds from outside NSW.

For more information on your rights and responsibilities under the Biosecurity Act, read the Biosecurity Legislation information on the Department of Primary Industries website.