Pest, weeds and biosecurity

Your responsibilities

The NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 places a General Biosecurity Duty on everyone. If you know, or should reasonably know, about a biosecurity risk, you must take reasonable steps to prevent, eliminate or minimise that risk.

Biosecurity helps protect our environment, agriculture and community from weeds, pest animals, diseases and contaminants.

Landholders are responsible for managing biosecurity risks on their property, including:

Priority weeds
Vertebrate pest animals such as rabbits, foxes, feral pigs, wild dogs, cats and deer
Insect pests

For advice on your responsibilities, contact Northern Tablelands Local Land Services on (02) 6770 2000 or visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

Weed control

Effective weed management requires more than simply removing existing plants. Long-term control involves:

Preventing weeds from setting seed
Controlling regrowth
Reducing weed seed reserves in the soil
Maintaining healthy pastures and vegetation that suppress future weed growth

Different weeds require different control methods. These may include:

Herbicide application
Biological control
Grazing management
Slashing
Cultivation
Digging or grubbing small infestations

Some control methods can spread weeds if used incorrectly. Correct identification of the weed species is essential before treatment begins.

When using herbicides:

Follow label directions and safety requirements
Use properly calibrated equipment
Apply products under suitable weather conditions
Avoid impacts on non-target plants

The NSW WeedWise website and mobile app provide identification guides and herbicide recommendations.

Priority weeds

Priority weeds are species that have the potential to significantly impact agriculture, the environment, public health or the local community.

View the current list of Priority Weeds for the Northern Tablelands on the NSW WeedWise website.

Farm biosecurity

Farm biosecurity involves practical measures that help prevent the introduction and spread of pests, weeds and diseases on your property.

Good biosecurity practices can:

Reduce production losses
Lower pest and disease management costs
Protect livestock and crops
Support market access
Improve the chances of early detection and eradication of new threats

Visit the Farm Biosecurity website or download the Farm Biosecurity Action Planner for practical guidance.

Council weed management

Uralla Shire Council manages weeds on roadsides, public reserves, parks and other Council-managed land.

Control methods may include:

Mechanical removal
Herbicide application
Targeted management programs for priority weeds

When herbicides are used on public land, Council provides notification in accordance with legislative requirements.

Pesticide Use Notification Plan

Council's Pesticide Use Notification Plan explains how the community will be informed about pesticide use in public places.

Council's Pesticide Use Program outlines planned weed control activities across the Shire for the current season.

Time of Year	Weeds Targeted	Areas Treated	Herbicide Used
Spring through to Autumn (Oct-May)	Blackberry, St Johns Wort, Broom spp Chinese Pistachio	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Triclopyr+Picloram+aminopyralid (Apparent Woody extra, Grazon extra) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring through to Autumn (Oct-May)	Honey Locust, Black Locust	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Triclopyr+Picloram+aminopyralid (Apparent Woody extra, Grazon extra) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring through to Autumn (Oct-May)	Rose Campion, Coreopsis, Gazania	Fossicking Area, Uralla Cemetery, Roadside reserves, parks, gardens, council reserves	Triclopyr+Picloram+aminopyralid (Apparent Woody extra, Grazon extra) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Summer & Autumn	Blackberry	Roadside reserves & Reserves (with Significant Vegetation)	Metsulfuron (Apparent Bow Saw 600) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring through to Autumn (Oct-May)	Hawthorne	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Metsulfuron (Apparent Bow Saw 600) With Penetrant such as Apparent Devour
All Year	Privet spp, Cotoneaster spp, Pyracantha spp, Japanese honeysuckle, English Ivy,	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Metsulfuron (Apparent Bow Saw 600) With Penetrant such as Apparent Devour
Spring through to Autumn (Oct-May)	Hawthorn, Willows, Box Elder, other deciduous trees	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate Green 360 or Apparent Glyphosate 450) (Drill/Fill or Cut Stump method)
All Year	Privet spp, Cotoneaster spp, Pyracantha spp, Japanese honeysuckle, English Ivy, Pinus	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate Green 360 or Apparent Glyphosate 450) (Drill/Fill or Cut Stump method)
Spring or Autumn	Serrated Tussock	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate 450) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring	Chilian Needlegrass	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate 450) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring - Autumn	African Lovegrass, Coolatai grass, Johnsons grass other invasive grasses	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate 450) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
All Year	Grasses & Broadleaf weeds	Mundays Reserve Tennis Courts	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate 450) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000 MCPA + Dicamba (Apparent Ravage)
Spring – Autumn	Total Knock Down around sensitive plantings	Roadside reserves, parks, council reserves	Glufosinate (Apparent Weedshot 200) With Wetting agent such as Apparent wetter 1000
Spring – Autumn	Total Knock Down with Residual Effect	Roadside Furniture (guide posts, sign posts, guard rails ect)	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate 450) Sulfometuron methyl (Apparent Shatter 750) Ammonium sulphate (Kombo 950, Apparent AMS)
Spring-Summer	Hemlock	Council Managed Riparian Zones	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate Green 360)
Summer	Mexican Waterlily	Aquatic Situations	Glyphosate (Apparent Glyphosate Green 360) alternatively, Flumioxazin (Clipper)
Summer	Sagittaria	Aquatic Situations	Flumioxazin (Clipper)

Pest management

Landholders are responsible for controlling pest animal populations on their property and preventing their spread where reasonably practicable.

For information about pest animal management, including rabbits, foxes, feral pigs, deer and wild dogs, visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.