Animals & Environment
Controlling Noxious Weeds
The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 places an obligation on land owners to take reasonable steps to keep the following land free of noxious weeds:
- the land owner’s land;
- unfenced land comprising part of a road or stock route that adjoins or is within the owner’s land;
- other land that is fenced in with the owner’s land;
- the bed, banks and water of a watercourse on the owner’s land;
- the bed, banks and water to the centre-line of a watercourse forming a boundary, or part of a boundary of the owner’s land.
Weeds which are currently prevalent in the Calliope region include Parthenium (419KB PDF), Giant Rats Tail Grass (205KB PDF), Mother of Millions (172KB PDF), and Rubbervine (475KB PDF).
Section 183 of the Act requires each local government (amongst other things) to ensure declared pests are managed in accordance with this Act and the principles of pest management.
Council amended its policy on noxious weed control, the objective being to work with landholders, catchment groups, industry and plant operators to ensure that outbreaks of noxious weeds are promptly treated to prevent the spread of weeds within the region.
The basis of the policy is to work with landholders and groups to control or destroy weeds. Council is seeking to assist and develop control groups to control weeds within individual catchments. Council may also provide various resources to assist these groups to solve the problem themselves. This strategy is based on landholders taking responsibility for the problem rather than Council relying solely on the big stick via enforcement of the legislation. In cases where landholders refuse to take ownership of the weeds on their property thereby risking the spread of weeds to neighbouring properties, Council will use the full force of the Act.
The new Land Protection Act establishes 3 classes of declared plants. Council’s policy has been written on the basis of dealing with classes of pests rather than individual weeds. The policy is written on the basis that noxious weed control will occur through the development and support of catchment working groups.
A significant percentage of weed seed is transported by water and it is therefore logical to control weeds within catchment areas. Once catchment groups are formed, control of infestations will be directed through that group. Council recognizes however that the ultimate responsibility still resides with the individual landholder.
For further information please contact Darryl Saw, Co-ordinator Rural Lands Protection on 49758100.