Please note: To view the design of this web site, you need a browser that supports web standards. The content of this site is accessable (with no formatting) to any browser. Upgrade to a Web standards compliant browser.
Accesskeys: home=1, skip over navigation=2
    Friday, 22 August 2008   |  12ºC – Light Rain   |  Telephone: 02 9777 1000

Noxious Weeds

Noxious Weed - BambooA weed is any plant that’s out of place. A noxious weed is one that by law must be controlled or removed. Weeds can be declared noxious if they cause a problem to human health or the environment.

There are many kinds of plants on the Willoughby  Noxious Weeds 2008 - 129 KB list under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. Not all of these plants have to be immediately destroyed. There are different levels of action depending on how big a threat the plant is. Willoughby has Class 4 Management Plans to control these problem plants.

How can I identify a noxious weed?
Read the information on this site, and go through the management plans. This is the place for Willoughby-specific weed information. For more details or to ask questions phone Council’s Open Space Section on 9777 1000 or emailing weeds@willoughby.nsw.gov.au. Also try the regional committee website, Sydney Weeds. If you aren't sure what kind of plant you have, you could take a sample of the weed to your nearest garden centre or nursery. Other options include contacting the Royal Botanic Gardens Botanical Information Service on 9231 8111 and consulting the Department of Agriculture on 1800 808 095.

What should I do if I have a noxious weed, or my neighbour does?
Check on this page or with Council what the control measure for that weed is, and read the Weed Removal Techniques. When you know what weed it is and what needs to be done, either do it or talk to your neighbour about how it’s affecting the environment and what you’ve found out about it. But remember, you have to live with your neighbour and they have to live with you, so try to be reasonable.

What if my neighbour ignores their weeds?
If you’ve alerted your neighbour to the problem, you can contact Council’s Open Space Section for help on 9777 1000. They will inspect the property and the weed and discuss with the resident the best method for control or removal. As a last resort Council will write to them advising them of their obligations under the Noxious Weeds Act. But please remember that Council is not and will not act as a dispute resolution service as this is available from the Community Justice Centre (phone 1800 671 964). Council sees itself as an information and education service in these matters.

If all other options are available, as a last resort Council may issue a notice to control or remove a weed. The Noxious Weeds Act 1993 gives Council the authority of placing penalties on land holders who don’t make the appropriate efforts to control noxious weeds. However, legal action is time consuming and expensive and Council would prefer to spend money on providing services.

Is privet a noxious weed?
There are two kinds of privet; broad leafed and narrow leafed. Both are declared noxious while flowering and fruiting, so unless owners are maintaining it as a formal hedge that never flowers or fruits, all privet on private land must be destroyed. If it is a large infestation, it must be reduced by a minimum of 25% annually. Council would prefer the use of similar non-invasive species for hedges as privet threatens bushland and has known allergen properties.