Biosecurity – Weeds
Weed Biosecurity
From 1 July 2017 the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinates came into effect replacing all or part of 14 Acts including the NSW Noxious Weeds Act 1993.
The Act provides modern, flexible tools and powers that allow effective, risk-based management of biosecurity in NSW. It will increase efficiency and decrease regulation in responding to biosecurity risks and provides a streamlined statutory framework to protect the NSW economy, environment and community from the negative impact of pests, diseases and weeds.
Priority Weeds
Cowra Council's Biosecurity Officer undertakes the control and management of priority weeds throughout the Shire.
The top 10 weeds to look for in the Cowra Shire can be found here Top 10 Weeds(PDF, 5MB).
Residents with priority weeds on their property are encouraged to contact the Infrastructure & Operations Department on (02) 6340 2070.
Difference between Priority and Widespread Weeds
A Priority Weed is a weed that can have serious economic or environmental impacts with their priority status being determined by the State and Regional Weed Committees, DPI and other advisory or Regulatory Bodies.
All weeds in NSW fall under Section 22 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015-General Biosecurity Duty but only weeds that are contained in each Region's Strategic Weed Management Plan under the 5 control areas are considered
Priority Weeds. This is to ensure limited resources are used to the best effect possible. Widespread weeds are weeds that are already widespread within the region, with a low risk rating and it is not 'reasonably practicable' under the Act to contain or eliminate. The majority of agriculture and garden weeds fall within the widespread weed category.
The weed risk assessment is carried out by a panel on behalf of the Central Tablelands Regional Weed Committee using the NSW Weed Risk Management system and considers feasibility of control (control costs, persistence, and current distribution).
The Central Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan contains relevant Priority Weed Ratings for this region and the outcomes required to comply with a General Biosecurity Duty.