All Eurobodalla landholders have a duty under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to ensure weeds on their property do not pose a risk to assets such as agriculture, biodiversity and human and animal health.
While 99 per cent of residents comply, Council’s invasive species team conducts weeds inspections across the shire to understand what plants are growing where and ensure residents are aware of their legal obligations.
Invasive Species Supervisor Paul Martin said inspections this year had already uncovered several serious weeds, including water hyacinth and cat’s claw creeper, both of which could destroy Eurobodalla’s greatest economic asset – its unspoilt natural environment.
“Cat’s claw creeper is a highly invasive vine brought into the shire from further north, where it escaped gardens and became a terrible blight on the landscape in northern NSW and Queensland,” Paul said.
“Before bringing cuttings or plants home from elsewhere, make sure you carefully research the species to make sure it’s not a prohibited plant in Eurobodalla, or something that could become seriously weedy in the future. Failure to do so could result in a hefty fine.”
Paul said water hyacinth was another classic example.
“The purple flower attracts lots of attention, and people travelling sometimes bring it back and put it in their fish ponds,” he said.
“This plant grows vigorously and when it gets away in dams or waterways, can cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring under control.”
Aside from Council’s recurring inspections for serrated tussock, St John’s wort, African love grass, boneseed and bitou bush, Council’s inspection program will this year target the greater Moruya area including Pollwombra, Wamban, Glenduart, Mogendoura and the lower Deua River.
For more information on your obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2015, please contact Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor, Paul Martin on 02 4474 1269 or email paul.martin@esc.nsw.gov.au
Identify your weeds and how to control them on Council’s weedfinder at http://www.erbg.org.au/weeds.php
Above: Council’s Invasive Species Officer Mick Johnson inspects a large cat's claw creeper on a fence line in Surf Beach.
