Council weed control programs

Council is the local control authority for the Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act) for the enforcement of declared weeds. Council inspects properties in the Eurobodalla Shire for biosecurity matter (weeds) as part of its inspection program. These routine inspections occur on private and public lands.

The Act, Biosecurity Regulations 2017, and South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan (SERWMP) outline most weed enforcement obligations. Council also carries out several weed control programs under the Act for significant weeds in the Eurobodalla. The programs on this page explain the control requirements for these plants.

In the SERWMP, some plants such as African love grass are not 'priority weeds' at a regional scale, but they are of high concern in the Eurobodalla. Council's weed control programs bridge this gap. The programs ensure that landholders manage these threatening weeds in the correct way. Landholders must follow these programs to make sure they are meeting their biosecurity requirements.

Inspection program

Council's Biosecurity (weeds) Team inspects public and private land in an effort to detect new weed incursions that could be detrimental to agriculture and biodiversity.

All properties that have a history of serious declared weeds can expect an annual inspection to ensure these weeds are under control. The weeds Council inspects, include:

  • serrated tussock
  • coolatai grass
  • bitou bush
  • boneseed
  • St John’s wort
  • African love grass.

Private property inspections in the 2022-23 financial year will take place across the parts of Sunshine Bay and Denhams Beach that lie within the Hume Road stormwater catchment, Benandarah and Durras South.

In Sunshine Bay and Denhams Beach, Council is specifically looking for aquatic weeds such as salvinia and water hyacinth. This will ensure that, after a decade of eradicating Salvinia molesta in the Hume Road stormwater detention dams, there is no chance a reinfestation will occur.

South Durras is subject to a local weed control program for the declared weeds arum lily and weedy cassia. Both plants present a serious threat to the ecological integrity of the local area. The declaration was made after a decade of removing these weeds from Council lands and the adjoining Murramarang National Park.

Council has detected the high-threat plant, alligator weed, in Benandarah. This weed appears to have been brought in on machinery from outside the Eurobodalla. Council's inspections in this area occur to ensure there are no further infestations present in the locality.

Councill will erect signage across all proposed inspection areas. We will also send letters to urban residents in Sunshine Bay and Denhams Beach notifying them of the proposed inspections.

Schedule dates are subject to change, dependent on environmental conditions and resources:

  • South Durras - 5 to 23 December 2022: complete.
  • Benandarah - 20 to 24 March 2023: the inspection area covers properties to the west of the Princes Highway, bound to the north by Cockwhy Creek, to the west by the Clyde River and to the south by Wild Pig, Portegan, Garden Seat and Donovan Creek Roads.
    Council’s Invasive Species Team will be focusing on dams, creeks and other wet areas in an effort to locate any further infestations of alligator weed that may have been moved into the area by machinery from outside of the Eurobodalla Shire.
  • Sunshine Bay/Denhams Beach - 13 February 2023 to 18 March 2023: all properties where stormwater drains to the detention dams beside Hume Road will be inspected primarily for the presence of aquatic weeds. This area comprises those parcels bound to the north by Sunshine Bay Road; to the west by the hilltop reserve that runs from Sunshine Bay Road in the north to Cook Avenue in the south; to the south by Wills Crescent, and to the east by Beach Road / Burrawang Crescent and Beechwood Court.

Council is here to help with weed control. Our inspections are a great opportunity to learn more about the plants growing on your property and how to manage them.

Council encourages landholders to call and arrange a convenient time to inspect your area:

  • T: 4474 1269

We can help you

Council strives to protect agriculture and biodiversity from weeds that could destroy the sustainability of our farming sector and threaten native plants and animals. With this in mind, we are here to help, so if you have any questions about our inspection program, please contact Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor, Paul Martin, for further advice on: