Weeds

Noxious Weeds

Some weeds are declared Noxious Weeds. A noxious weed is one that must legally be controlled or removed by the property occupier. Weeds are declared as noxious because they are a threat to human health, the environment or the agriculture industry. Council has powers to issue notices to property owners/occupiers requiring removal of noxious weeds.

Asparagus Fern berries

Asparagus Fern berries

Asthma Weed

Asthma Weed

Balloon Vine pods

Balloon Vine pods

Blackberry flower

Blackberry flower

Cape Ivy

Cape Ivy

Castor Oil plant

Castor Oil plant

Green Cestrum

Green Cestrum

Lantana

Lantana

Madeira Vine tubers

Madeira Vine tubers

Morning Glory

Morning Glory

Pampas Grass

Pampas Grass

Privet

Privet


Class 4 Noxious Weeds

Order 28 of the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 declares certain plants to be noxious weeds in one (or more) of five weed classes. Class 4 weeds are Locally Controlled Weeds: The growth and spread must be contained as per the Order and in most instances requires that the plant be managed in a manner that reduces its numbers spread and incidence and continuously inhibits its reproduction and the plant must not be sold or knowingly distributed. Council will actively and reactively request land occupiers to control these weeds on private property in Mosman.

The control objective is to minimise the negative impact of these plants on the economy, community or environment of NSW.

Scientific name Common name
Anredera cordifolia Madeira vine
Arundo donax Giant reed
Asparagus aethiopicus Asparagus
Asparagus asparagoides Bridal creeper
Asparagus plumosus Climbing asparagus
Cardiospermum grandiflorum Balloon vine
Cylindropuntia species Prickly pear
Delairea odorata Cape ivy
Egeria densa Leafy elodea
Harrisia species Harrisia cactus
Hygrophila polysperma East Indian hygrophila
Hypercicum perforatum St. John’s wort
Ipomoea cairica Morning glory (coastal)
Ipomoea indica Morning glory (purple)
Lantana Lantana species
Ligustrum lucidum Privet (Broad-leaf)
Ligustrum sinense Privet (Narrow-leaf/ Chinese)
Macfadyena unguiscati Cat’s claw creeper
Nassella neesiana Chilean needle grass
Nassella trichotoma Serrated tussock
Opuntia species (except O. ficusindica) Prickly pear
Parietaria judaica Pellitory (asthma weed)
Phyla canescens Lippia
Phyllostachys species Rhizomatous bamboo
Ricinus communis Castor oil plant
Sagittaria montevidensis Arrowhead
Toxicodendrom succedaneum Rhus tree

Environmental Weed List

These weeds invade bushland and as such construction sites are to be kept free of these plants along with plants declared noxious in the Mosman LGA.

Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name
Acetosa sagittata Turkey Rhubarb Hydrocotyle bonariensis Kurnell Curse
Agapanthus orientalis Agapanthus Ilex aquifolium Holly
Ageratina adenophora Crofton Weed Impatiens cv Balsam, Snapweed, Busy Lizzie
Ageratina riparia Mistflower Lilium formosanum Taiwan Lily
Andropogon virginicus Whisky Grass Lonicera japonica Honeysuckle
Araujia sericiflora Moth Vine Nephrolepis cordifolia Fishbone Fern
Bidens pilosa Farmers Friend Nothoscordum gracile Onion Weed
Bryophyllum delagoense Mother-Of-millions Ochna serrulata Mickey Mouse Plant
Canna indica Canna Olea europaea ssp. africana African Olive
Cardamine hirsuta Flick Weed Paspalum distichum Water Couch
Celtis australis Celtis Passiflora edulis Passionfruit
Chlorophytum comosum Ribbon Plant Pavonia hastata Pavonia
Conyza spp. Fleabanes Persicaria capitata Japanese Knotweed
Coprosma repens Mirror Plant Phytolacca octandra Inkweed
Coreopsis lanceolata “Calliopsis” Polygala myrtifolia Polygala
Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora Montbretia Rhaphiolepis indica Cherry Laurel Indian Hawthorn
Cotoneaster spp. Cotoneaster Salpichroa origanifolia Pampas Lily of the Valley
Cytisus scoparius Scotch Broom Senecio madagascariensis Fireweed
Dietes bicolor Dietes Senna pendula var. glabrata Cassia
Ehrharta erecta Panic Veldtgrass Setaria geniculata var pauciseta Slender Pigeon Grass
Ehrharta longiflora Annual Veldtgrass Sida rhombifolia Paddy’s Lucerne
Erigeron karvinskianus Seaside Daisy Sporobulus africanus Parramatta Grass
Fiedychium gardnerianum Yellow Ginger Lily Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Tradescantia albiflora Wandering Jew
Genista monspessulana Montpellier Broom Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium
Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust Verbena bonariensis Purple Top
Gomphocarpus physocarpus Balloon Cotton Bush Watsonia meriana cv. Bulbillifera Bugle Lily, Common Watsonia

Weed list adapted from the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators website, November 2007.

Controlling weeds

Bushland regeneration efforts in Mosman are being frustrated as weeds continue to enter reserves from private properties. Weeds on private properties can spread into the bushland via stormwater run-off, wind, and birds. To help keep Mosman’s bushland reserves looking attractive and to minimise weed cover, please keep your property free of environmental and noxious weeds. You can also:

  • reduce stormwater run-off from your property
  • reduce fertiliser use in the garden as it promotes weeds and discourages native plant growth
  • grow native plants instead of exotics
  • never dump garden waste (including grass clippings) into bushland

Further information