A weed can be any plant that is a threat to agriculture, industry, the environment, human health or the community and has the potential to spread to other areas. Weeds smother and outcompete endemic native vegetation and affect the biodiversity of our natural areas. Weeds also reduce habitat for native fauna and choke waterways.

Information on how to identify and control weeds can be found at NSW WeedWise as well as Sydney Weeds Network. For fact sheets showing simple weed removal techniques visit Weed removal fact sheets.

In NSW all landholders have a general biosecurity duty under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk a weed may pose.
 

Weeds on Council land

Georges River Council is committed to protecting our natural areas by managing weeds. We do this through:

• Coordinated weed control programs with staff, contractors and our Bushcare volunteer program
• Conducting weed inspections on public and private property
• Inspecting and controlling weeds in high risk pathways
• Providing education, training and resources on weed management
• Administering and ensuring compliance with the Biosecurity Act

Council is following the objectives and strategies set out in the Greater Sydney Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan. Any weed identified as a priority weed under the Plan is a priority in weed in Georges River Council area.

Weeds that are not priority weeds are still managed by council but we concentrate our efforts on areas of high ecological value such as endangered ecological communities and volunteer Bushcare sites.
 

Weeds on a Neighbours property

The quickest and most effective way of dealing with weeds on your neighbours’ property is to talk to them and try and resolve any issues together.

If you can't resolve the issue with your neighbour amicably, contact the Community Justice Centre to arrange for mediation. Some weeds may be dealt with under the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act including Bamboo and any plant that is a vine. You may wish to obtain independent legal advice if you believe a plant is creating a legal nuisance.

Council’s Biosecurity Officer will inspect any properties for priority weeds and contact landholders regarding control of any priority weeds.
 

What can you do?

• Join a local Bushcare group and help care for our local Bushland areas
• Remove weeds from your own garden and choose plants that do not become weeds in Bushland. Local native plants are the best choice. Grow Me Instead has information on alternatives to weedy garden plants
• Contact us to report a priority weed, need help identifying a weed or need advice on weed control methods.

You can also contact the Department of Primary Industries via the NSW Invasive Plants and Animals Enquiry Line on 1800 680 244 or weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
 

Table of priority weeds found in our LGA

Alternanthera philoxeroides - Alligator Weed
Description: floating or rooting emergent perennial herb with a brittle, fleshy taproot, forming large mats of interwoven roots and stems. Flowers: silvery white flowers in January to March. Fruit/Seed: seeds produced but rarely viable in Australia. Dispersal: stems dispersed by water flow, dumping and machinery. For more information on Alligator weed, visit NSW WeedWise.
Ludwigia longifolia - Ludwigia peruviana
Description: a perennial shrub growing up to 3 meters high. It behaves as a deciduous plant and loses its’ leaves in Winter. The stems are hairy when young and the leaves are arranged alternately, are also hairy and have prominent veins. Flowers: single, bright yellow flowers, 2-4 cm across. They grow in the fork of upper leaves. Fruit/Seed: oblong hairless fruits 1-3.5cm long contain numerous tiny seeds. The fruits turn light brown. Dispersal: seeds spread by water, wind. Stems detach during floods. For more information on Ludwigia peruviana, visit NSW WeedWise.
Opuntia monacantha - Drooping prickly pear
Description: thin shiny drooping pear shaped pads. These grow between 50cm long and 18cm wide. Flowers: yellow flowers, reddish median stripe red fruit, 7.5cm -10cm long, 5-7.5 in diameter. Fruit/Seed: reddish-purple, fleshy fruits that are about 60mm long. Dispersal: stem fragments may become attached to animals, footwear and vehicles. They are also dispersed by flood waters and in dumped garden waste. For more information on Opuntia monacantha, visit NSW WeedWise.
Chrysanthemoides monilifera - Boneseed
Description: shrub to 3m, an erect , upright plant with coarsely toothed leaves. Flowers: golden yellow, daisy flowers, appearing in spring to early summer. Fruit/Seed: purplish black berries, occurring in clusters and ripening in summer. Dispersal: birds. For more information on Boneseed, visit NSW WeedWise.
Salvinia molesta - Salvinia
Description: rapidly growing free floating , mat forming aquatic fern  capable of totally covering still or slowly moving waterways. Flowers: does not produce flowers. Fruit/Seed: does not produce fruit. Dispersal: reproduces vegetatively and is spread by aquatic plant suppliers, home ponds dumping, animals and water movement, wind boats and flooding. For more information on Salvinia, visit NSW WeedWise.