Weed Management

Weeds are non-native plants that pose a threat to the native flora and fauna. Weeds can reduce biodiversity, increase fire risk, pose a health and safety risk to humans, livestock and other animals; and threaten our agricultural productivity.   

There are a range of ways we can all help control the spread of weeds and unwanted vegetation to help support our native habitats thrive.  

Land owners and land managers are responsible for managing declared weeds on their property under the Biosecurity Act 2019. The laws reinforce the message that everyone has a role to play in protecting our unique environment against invasive weeds and its gives declared weeds legal status.  

At council we target invasive weeds as part of a year-round weed management schedule for managing weeds – Click here to view the Spring Works Schedule for 2024!

The Clarence Weed Strategy 2016-2030 provides a framework for our region in the management of both declared and local environmental weeds. Both of which threaten our natural values.  

Some high-priority weeds (listed in the Biosecurity Act 2019) in Clarence are: 

• Chilean needlegrass (Nassella neesiana) and Texas needlegrass (Nassella leucotricha)  
• African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)   
• Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)  
• Pampas grass (Cortaderia spp.)  
• Mediterranean daisy (Urospermum dalechampii)  
• St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)  
• Vipers bugloss (Echium vulgare) 

Other non-declared environmental weeds in Clarence are: 

• Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) 
• Mirror bush (Coprosma repens) 
• Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) 
• Bluebell creeper (Billardiera heterophylla)

View the Weeds of Southern Tasmania guide to identify weeds you might find on your property and also the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania Wed Index for a comprehensive list of weeds with images. 

We manage and prioritisse weeds across its bushland reserves, parks, public open spaces and road reserves within the City of Clarence. Council also collaborate with other landowners in managing priority weeds across the landscape. 

Weed control methods include: 

• Annual slashing and vegetation management schedule 
• Cut and paint of woody weeds 
• Herbicide spraying of herbaceous and grassy weeds 
• Manual removal – e.g. handpulling or chipping out 
• Mulching 

Council’s use of Herbicides  

There are a range of regulations which apply when council use herbicides as part of its weed management programs, these are:  

• Code of Practice for Ground Spraying (DPIPWE 2014)  
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995 and regulations under this Act  
• Work Health and Safety Act 2012.   

In addition to the above, council only uses herbicides that are registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for use in Australia and are applied according to label directions. The APVMA assesses the safety of glyphosate products, and registered glyphosate products are considered safe to use when the instructions on the label are followed.  Council continues to monitor the advice relating to glyphosate from the regulating bodies.  

Staff and contractors must hold appropriate levels of accreditation to be able to use the chemicals and follow Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) including the use of personal protective equipment.  

You can opt out of having herbicides used on the Nature Strip near your home – visit the No Spray Register webpage.

There are a range of methods and principles you can use at home and on your property to minimise the spread of weeds in our region. 

• Minimise soil and ground disturbance: Not all weed seed will germinate, but if it is exposed to the soil surface with access to light, warmth, water and without competition then you will get mass germination of weeds. 
• Minimise the introduction of new weeds to your property: Only use clean and reliable sources of soil, sand, fill and mulch; and practice good hygiene ensuring garden machinery (lawnmowers and brush cutters) are cleaned if used at another property, and boots, clothes and animals are free of weed seeds after visiting properties with known weeds. 
• Integrated weed management: Use a variety of control methods such as manual removal, mulching, competition, cut and paint, non-chemical methods (heat, steam and solarisation) and herbicides (both organic and synthetic) that target various stages of the weeds life cycle.. 

Declared weed material should never be disposed of in green waste bins. Declared weed material should be double-bagged and disposed of at an approved waste management facility.  

If you decide to use herbicides then it is essential that you follow the label directions and use the recommended personal protective equipment when mixing and applying the herbicide.  

General garden weed waste should be disposed of in the green waste bins.  

Declared weed material should be double-bagged and disposed of at an approved waste management facility.