Weeds and Pest Management Plan 2023–2026

Weeds and Pest Management Plan 2023–2026

The Victorian Government has made funds available for the 2024–2025 Roadside Weeds and Pests Program to support eligible councils responsible for managing sections of rural roadsides.

Buloke Shire Council is among the regional councils in Victoria that has received funding through this program in previous years.

This funding has supported our efforts to manage regionally controlled and restricted weeds and pests along rural roadsides.

Weed Control Laws

• The Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994 is the primary legislation governing the management of invasive plants (weeds) in Victoria.
• Under the CaLP Act, landowners are responsible for managing noxious weeds on their property. Council is responsible for managing noxious weeds on land under its management.

On Roadsides

Buloke Shire Council carries out annual weed control along rural roadsides to manage priority Regionally Controlled and Restricted weeds, as outlined in our Roadside Weeds and Pests Control Plan.

Noxious Weeds

Under the CaLP Act, certain plants are declared as noxious weeds in Victoria. These plants can cause environmental or economic harm or have the potential to do so and may pose risks to livestock and human health.

Agriculture Victoria, within the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, is responsible for enforcing weed control under the CaLP Act.

The CaLP Act defines four categories of noxious weeds as detailed below:

• State Prohibited Weeds

  These weeds must be eradicated from Victoria or prevented from entering the state. The Victorian Government is responsible for their eradication or may direct landowners to prevent their growth and spread.
  Examples: Hawkweed, horsetail, mesquite, Mexican feather grass, parthenium weed, salvinia, water hyacinth

• Regionally Prohibited Weeds

  Landowners, including public authorities managing Crown land, must take all reasonable steps to eradicate these weeds from their land.
  Examples: Cape tulip (one and two-leaf), African feather grass, Scotch thistle, serrated tussock

• Regionally Controlled Weeds

  Landowners must take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of these weeds on their land.
  Examples: Horehound, Bathurst burr, African boxthorn, wheel cactus, Paterson’s curse

• Restricted Weeds

These weeds are generally widespread. Trade in these weeds or their propagules (as plants, seeds, or contaminants in other materials) is prohibited.
Examples: Bridal creeper

Please take the time to fill out the Rural Roadside Weeds and Rabbit Reporting Form

More Information

For further details, visit the following resources:

• Agriculture Victoria
• Victorian Declared Noxious Weeds List
• Weeds Australia – Weed identification and information