In NSW under the Biosecurity Act 2015, all plants are regulated with a General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose.  Anyone who deals with any plant who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as reasonably practicable.

As part of its annual winter inspection and control program the IDWA is currently targeting a range of woody weeds.  Whilst each weed is regulated with a General Biosecurity Duty, they are also subject to additional measures depending if they are listed as Prohibited Matter, Control order, Biosecurity zone, Regional priority weed or Prohibition on dealings.

The three winter growing weeds currently being targeted by are Gorse, Groundsel bush and Bitou bush.  Both Gorse and Groundsel bush are listed as regional priority weeds for eradication, whilst Bitou bush is listed as a Biosecurity zone weed and is subject to containment objectives.  Residents are asked to familiarise themselves with each of the weeds and to contact the IDWA if they require further information on identification or control.

For more information about any of these three plants and their associated biosecurity risk please visit NSW WeedWise here and search “Weeds”.  You can also access the resources directly by clicking on the following links:      Gorse     Groundsel Bush      Bitou Bush

We have produced flyers on each of the targeted weeds.  These can be opened by clicking on the images below.