Controlling Weeds

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WEEDS OF SUMMER

Keep an eye out for these invasive species that have recently been found in adjoining LGA’s. Due to recent flooding events, the Clarence Valley area is at an increased risk of infestation.

1 FROGBIT

(Limnobium laevigatum)

 A floating water weed with small, round glossy leaves. Plants grow very quickly, forming dense mats over water bodies. It can tolerate slightly saline water.

 It can spread via daughter plants and seed dispersal by water currents, birds or by attaching to watercraft or equipment.

 Illegal dumping of aquarium plants in waterways has been the main cause of infestations.

2 KIDNEY-LEAF MUD PLANTAIN

(Heteranthera reniformis)

 A sprawling aquatic weed with a kidney shaped leaf that can form dense mats in freshwater less than 15cm deep and in damp soil at the edge of water bodies.

 Spreads through seed dispersal and stem fragmentation in mud or debris stuck to animals, people or vehicles.

 Very hard to manage and eradicate once established.

If you think you have seen either of these plants in the Clarence, please contact your local weeds officer through our Customer Service Centre on 02 6643 0200, or check the NSW Weedwise site https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ We work with NSW Local Land Services and State Government land managers, guided by the framework and direction of the North Coast Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.

CONTROLLING WEEDS – OUR ROLE

Council is your local weed control authority under the Biosecurity Act 2015

OUR MAIN ROLES INCLUDE:

 Inspections of private and public lands  Priority weed control programs  Weed control of high priority weeds and widespread weeds on roadsides and reserves  Support community to prevent establishment of new weeds  Work with landholders to control weeds based on level of risk to broader community

WE ALSO OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES TO LANDHOLDERS:

 ADVICE: Provide information to the public covering all facets of targeted weed control.  WEED IDENTIFICATION: Samples can be dropped into the office at 2 Prince Street, Grafton for positive identification.  WEED INFORMATION: Large range of informative posters, brochures and best practice manuals publicly available.  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Through regular field days, information stalls, weed identification and information workshops, weed expos, school talks and advertising.

PRICKLY PEAR

It’s a crime to sell or swap prickly pear cacti. To protect people, pets and parks, penalties of up to $220,000 apply. For more information call the NSW Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244 or go to weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au

PICTURE ABOVE: Some species of prickly pear, from left; drooping/ smooth tree pear, bunny ears, blind cactus and Eve’s needle cactus. There are more than 27 different species in Australia.

CREDITS: Kidney-leaf mud plantain image by J Hosking, NSW DPI © State of New South Wales. Frogbit image by Phil Price, Hawkesbury River County Council.