NRM South

Weeds

Weeds are plants growing where they do not belong and where they are not wanted. In implementing the Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy NRM South is working to better understand and address the threats posed by weeds in Southern Tasmania.

Weeds in Tasmania

Tasmania is home to nearly 1,900 native flowering plants and in excess of 800 introduced plants, many of which are weeds. They carry a significant cost in both financial and environmental terms with the impact of weeds on Tasmania's pastures and field crops estimated at $58 million in 2007. The environmental cost has yet to be accurately determined.

Weeds of National Significance

Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) are weeds that have been declared national threats by all state and territories because of their degree of invasiveness, high potential to spread, and their high social, environmental and economic impacts. Southern Tasmania currently has seven WoNS – Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana), boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera), bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma), gorse (Ulex europaeus), willow (all Salix species except S. babylonica, S. x calodendron and S. x reichardtii) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus aggregate).

National Alert List Weeds

The National Alert List contains weeds with a limited distribution and a high likelihood of successful eradication that currently pose a high threat to the environment, or have the potential to do so. Twenty-eight weeds that have established naturalised populations in the wild have been placed on this list. In Tasmania these include Common heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum). Heather is currently limited to Bruny Island, Kingston and Blackmans Bay, while Orange hawkweed is limited to Fern Tree and Snug, as well as often being found in suburban gardens.

Declared Weeds

The Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 currently lists over 100 declared weeds. These weeds impact on both agricultural and conservation areas. Weeds currently being targeted in Southern Tasmania include Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum), Amsinckia (Amsinckia species), pampas (Cortaderia species), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum) and feathertop (Pennisetum villosum). More information regarding Tasmanian Declared Weeds can be found at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/weeds.

Other high priority weed programs in Southern Tasmania

Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) is a highly invasive coastal weed which is already well established in North-west and Northern Tasmania. Because it has only limited distribution across Southern Tasmania it is a high priority weed for eradication in the Southern region.

Managing Weeds

In the Southern region weed management is guided by The Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy 2005-2010. The strategy establishes a framework for improving weed management decision-making and on-ground outcomes across the region and emphasises the development of effective partnerships to ensure a coordinated approach.

The Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy is being implemented by NRM South and the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority with stakeholder input from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, Parks & Wildlife Service, Hydro Tasmania, Transend, the Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources, the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association, Forestry Tasmania and local government.

Weeds are a growing problem and respect no boundaries. As such responsibility for their management belongs to the entire community.

What are we doing to control weeds?

In implementing the Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy NRM South is working to better understand and address the threats posed by weeds in Southern Tasmania. Beyond our partnership with the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority to implement the strategy our work also includes activities through our Healthy Catchments and Coasts Program to address the spread of weeds and to restore and protect habitat.

Current major weed control activities include:

  • A Chilean needle grass control program which is surveying, mapping and treating all known infestations
  • A Boneseed control program targeting strategic control of outlying boneseed infestations across Southern Tasmania and around the Pittwater Orielton Lagoon Ramsar site and Upper Derwent Estuary
  • A Bridal creeper control program which is surveying, mapping and controlling all known infestations across Southern Tasmania
  • An Asparagus weed control program

In addition to a program of on-ground control work NRM South has developed a number of publications to raise awareness of weed threats in our region. these inlude Priority Weed Brochures, Priority Weed Distribution Maps and a Weeds Wall Calendar.

NRM South Weeds Resources

In addition to a program of on-ground control work NRM South has developed a number of publications to raise awareness of weed threats in our region.

The NRM Network

Nature Hub

Supported By

Tasmanian Goverment Care for our Country