Pests & Weeds

Weeds are exotic, introduced or agricultural species growing where they are not wanted. They may be harmful, dangerous or economically detrimental. Weeds can also be detrimental to the ecology, or seriously invade native vegetation or natural
habitats and riparian zones.

If weeds are not controlled they can compete with pasture species, poison stock, harbour disease and vermin, and taint milk. Once perennial weeds have died off, they can leave bare ground, which increases the risk of erosion.

Exotic pest animals have the potential to affect humans, domestic stock and native animal species by, for example, transferring disease, competing for pasture or killing livestock and native animal species. Action must be taken to stop this from happening.

What you gain and what it costs

At work on the farm

Drew and Kate Carter, Ringarooma, Tasmania

Fencing out wallabies from grazing pasture has proven to be a capital investment that pays.

Tasmanian dairy farmers Drew and Kate Carter invested $20,538 to install a 1.7km fence on the boundary of their run-off block that is adjacent to a forestry plantation.

“Wallabies were coming onto our block and grazing up to 100m in from the boundary,” Drew explained. “They also soiled the pasture and the dairy stock wouldn’t graze it.”

The Carters measured the extent of pasture loss due to damage by the wallabies by using exclusion cages and taking pasture measurements. They estimated that there was a 20% loss of pasture grown due to wallaby grazing.

By valuing the additional feed grown, as a result of the wallaby fencing, the Carters recovered the cost of the investment in the wallaby fence within three years.

“After seeing the immediate impact the wallaby fence had on pasture growth, we were keen to put in wallaby fencing along other boundary fences next to forestry plantations on the home block.”

Do any of these look familiar?

What you need to know (Victoria only)

Catchment and Land Management Act 1994 administered by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

There are two major parts in this section that come under this Act - noxious weeds and pest animals.

1. Noxious weeds

   Noxious weeds are classified into three categories: State Prohibited, Regionally Prohibited and Regionally Controlled. This is based on their occurrence in Victoria, the location and rate of distribution, and the threat to primary production, the environment or community health. The type of weed will dictate to what level you must control the weed.

   As a landholder you must control weeds as follows:

   1. Regionally Prohibited Weeds - you must take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds on your property. If you fail to do so, you may be issued with a notice and, if ignored, you may be liable for a penalty.
   2. Regionally Controlled Weeds - you must take all steps to prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds, e.g. blackberry, thistles and Patterson’s curse, on your property; if you fail to do so, you can be issued with a notice to control weeds and/or fined for failure to control noxious weeds.

   Note: Before any action is taken you should accurately identify the plant suspected of being a weed and determine its status and the legal requirements. Sometimes weeds are not declared noxious but should be managed. Contact DPI, DSE, your local government or CMA for advice on weed identification.

2. Pest animals

   The red fox, European rabbit and European hare are all on the declared list of Established Pest Animals. Under this legislation you must control established pest animals and may be penalised for failing to do so.

3. Native plants and animals

   Native plants and animals are protected by law, irrespective of whether an action that affects them is accidental or not. Native  plants are protected under planning schemes and native animals (wildlife) under the Wildlife Act. For more information, see the section on Native Vegetation.

   Consult with the DSE if you need any advice or are having problems with native animals. Native animals causing problems require different management techniques to the management of  'pest animals'.

4. Baiting for pest animals

   Requires an Agricultural Chemicals User’s Permit (ACUP) and attendance at a training course.

   Note: If a baiting method is used, it must be designed to target only the pest animal species. These changes to the law occurred in January 2008.

Disclaimer: The following is only a guide to the law affecting farmers in the environmental field. The general area is quite complex and affected by numerous Acts and Regulations, some of which are very detailed. In addition, changes are made on a regular basis to the legislation. The precise effect in a given situation will require expert advice and this should be sought from an appropriate professional or the relevant government agency.

Additional information

These resources can help you develop your Action Plan (Organisations, their contact details and website information were correct at the time of publication. Information may change without notice).