Weed Definition
The definition of weed is simply a plant that is growing where it is not wanted. For instance, grass is valued as part of a lawn, but viewed as a weed in a vegetable garden. Environmental weeds are non-native plants that invade bushland and threaten the native plants through competing for resources. Declared weeds are plants listed in the Weed Management Act 1999 as plants that have potential adverse impact in Tasmania.
Reporting a Weed
If you think you have seen one of these weeds Please take two photographs, one of the entire plant and one close up of the leaves and flowers, and don’t forget to note the location and then send the information to NRM Unit for us to confirm identification and action eradication measure if appropriate.
Biosecurity Reminder
Arrive at your destination with clean vehicles and clean, healthy stock. Review the activities you have in place to protect your farm from weeds, pests and diseases. Biosecurity activities protect farm productivity, in turn protecting farm profitability and the industry as a whole. Consider the risks to your property and plan to reduce them through biosecurity measures. For more information: NRM South’s Farm Biosecurity Guide
Be prepared – put these phone numbers in your phone now:
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888
Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.
How can you better manage weeds on your property?
While Council does conduct and coordinate weed control programs on public land from time to time, land-owners are also encouraged to take responsibility for the control of weeds on their own property and adjoining roadside.
If you are interested in controlling weeds without using herbicides consider using steam or boiling water methods. These documents have been developed to assist you in developing your own weed management plan unique to your property:
Example Weed Management Plan Template – Blank
Example Weed Management Plan Template – Gorse
Example Weed Management Plan Template – Spanish Heath
Further information on how to identify and control weeds:
Weed Identification Guide for the Huon Valley
DPIPWE Index of Declared Weeds
Weeds of National Significance
Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy Downloads
A public Facebook group “Tasmanian Weeds”
How can you dispose of weeds safely?
At this stage none of the Waste Transfer Stations in the Huon Valley accept declared weeds.
The options available to you all involve the use of heat to kill any viable weed seeds:
- Place weed material in double rubbish bags with a splash of water and leave in the sun for a period of at least 3 months before disposing of in the general waste.
- Incinerate in an enclosed (to contain seed material and increase heat) incinerator or drum.
- Hot compost to 60oC+ before using composted materials.
How does the Council manage declared weeds?
Below are the Huon Valley’s priority weeds listed under the category associated with a particular management approach.
Further details can be found in the Huon Valley Weed Management Strategy .
Note that the main highways and some main roads are managed by State Growth and any reports of weeds on these roads can be forwarded to State Growth directly or via the NRM Unit of the HVC.
Watch List
These weeds are on the watch list as they are required to be eradicated in the Huon Valley by the Weed Management Act 1999 (Zone A weed species) and have been treated in the past, so the aim is to keep them eradicated:
| Photo | Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Heather | Calluna vulgaris |
 | Horsetail | Equisetum sp. |
 | African boxthorn | Lycium ferocissimum |
| African boxthorn | Lycium ferocissimum |
 | Parrotfeather | Myriophyllum aquaticum |
 | Darwins barberry | Berberis darwinii |
 | White-edged nightshade | Solanum marginatum |
Priority 1 weeds
These weeds are a priority 1 as they are required to be eradicated in the Huon Valley by the Weed Management Act 1999 (Zone A weed species) and are not considered to be widespread, so the aim is that they are promptly eradicated:
| Photo | Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Bridal creeper | Asparagus asparagoides |
 | Paterson's curse | Echium plantagineum |
 | St John’s Wort | Hypericum perforatum |
 | Square-stemmed St Johns wort | Hypericum tetrapterum |
 | African feather grass | Pennisetum macrourum |
 | Creeping yellowcress | Rorippa sylvestris |
 | Karamu | Coprosma robusta |
 | Thornapple or Datura | Datura spp. |
 | African lovegrass | Eragrostis curvula |
 | Horehound | Marrubium vulgare |
Priority 2 weeds
These weeds are a priority 2 as they are required to be eradicated in the Huon Valley by the Weed Management Act 1999 (Zone A weed species) and are considered to be widespread, so the aim is to reduce the amount of these weeds and eventually eradicate:
| Photo | Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
 | New zealand sedge | Carex flagellifera |
 | Pampas grass | Cortaderia spp. |
 | Seeding willow species (white willow, grey willow, basket willow, purple osier) | Salix alba, S. cinerea, S. Xrubens, S. purpurea |
Priority 3 weeds
These weeds are a priority 3 as they are required to be contained in the Huon Valley by the Weed Management Act 1999 (Zone B weed species) and are not considered to be widespread, so the aim is to contain these weeds to avoid them becoming widespread:
| Photo | Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Boneseed | Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera |
 | Elishas tears | Leycesteria formosa |
 | Ragwort | Senecio jacobaea |
 | European holly | Ilex aquifolium |
Priority 4 weeds
These weeds are a priority 4 as they are required to be contained in the Huon Valley by the Weed Management Act 1999 (Zone B weed species) and are considered to be widespread, so the aim is to ensure these weeds are contained:
| Photo | Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare |
 | Slender thistles | Carduus spp. |
 | Creeping or Californian thistle | Cirsium arvense |
 | English broom | Cytisus scoparius |
 | Spanish heath | Erica lusitanica |
 | Canary or Montpellier broom | Genista monspessulana |
 | Blackberry | Rubus fruticosus aggregate |
| Crack willow | Salix fragilis |
 | Gorse | Ulex europaeus |