Skip to main content
Skip navigation

Weeds

Noxious Weed - Mickey Mouse Plant

A weed is any plant that is out of place. This not only includes foreign plants but also Australian plants that have been introduced to areas outside their natural range.

There are many plants that are considered weeds in Willoughby, some of which are listed as a Noxious Weed. The rest are environmental weeds. All weeds threaten the area’s bushland reserves.

Weeds can be a symptom of underlying problems such as increased runoff or changed drainage conditions, or they may be escapees from gardens. When they grow in the bush they replace the local native plants and alter the habitat for wildlife.

Typical weeds produce large amounts of seeds so they spread quickly. Seeds can travel into natural environments by wind, water, humans, vehicles, machinery, birds, and other animals. Some also spread quickly from new shoots. Weeds especially thrive where fertilisers and other urban wastes are washed into bushland as this introduces extra nutrients into the soil.

Council sometimes uses pesticides to get rid of weeds in Willoughby, in accordance with the  Pesticide Use Notification Plan - 54 KB.

Reduce the spread of weeds

To reduce the spread of weeds into the bush:

  • Remove identified weeds from your garden and replace them with non-invasive species.
  • Never dump garden or other waste in bushland areas.
  • Compost your garden clippings, or place them in Council’s green-waste bins for collection.

Useful links and websites

You may find the following websites helpful: