Noxious Weeds
Weeds that may cause serious losses to crop and livestock production, threaten ecological communities and harm human health may be identified as noxious under the NSW Noxious Weeds Act 1993. These weeds are declared as noxious by the Minister for Primary Industries. Weeds are nominated for declaration by the relevant weeds committees.
Section 12 of the Act requires that: "An occupier (other than a public authority or a local control authority) of land to which a weed control order applies must control noxious weeds on the land as required under the order."
The implementation of the Act is overseen by Hornsby Shire Council, the Local Control Authority (LCA) for Hornsby Shire.
Download a full list of Noxious Weeds in Hornsby Shire - 220kb.
Weed classes
Noxious weeds are grouped into different classes, depending on their current level of infestation throughout NSW and their level of threat. These classes have varying requirements of control.
| Class | Description | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Prohibited | The plant must be eradicated from the land and the land must be kept free from the plant |
| 2 | Regionally Prohibited | The plant must be eradicated from the land and the land must be kept free from the plant |
| 3 | Regionally Controlled | The plant must be fully and continually suppressed and destroyed |
| 4 | Locally Controlled | The growth and spread of the plant must be controlled according to the measures specified in the management plan published by the local control authority |
| 5 | Restricted Plants | No requirements for control however it is a notifiable weed |
Class 4 Weeds
Weeds declared as Class 4 noxious weeds are to be controlled in accordance with the Management Plans published by the Local Control Authority, Hornsby Shire Council. View list of Class 4 Weeds, management plans and information sheets.
Class 1, 2, 3 and 5 Weeds
These classes of weeds have varying control measures usually determined by NSW Department of Primary Industries. Download Class 1, 2, 3 and 5 Weeds List - 41kb.
Not For Sale
In addition to the required control measures set out in the Management Plans, some weed species are also restricted from sale in Hornsby Shire and throughout NSW. See list of plants declared Not for Sale.
Property Inspections
In accordance with the requirements of the Act Council needs to ensure that land occupiers adequately control noxious weeds on their land. This often occurs when an Authorised Council Officer undertakes a property inspection and identifies any noxious weeds on that property. At this initial stage Council implements an 'Education and Awareness' program, supplying the occupier and/or owner with information on the identification and control measures of the observed noxious weeds.
 Morning glory (Ipomea indica) climbing neighbouring fences. |
 Privet (Ligustrum lucidum & L. sinense) overhanging a neighbouring property. |
Some of the reasons properties are identified for inspection include:
- Targeted survey of the street or suburb,
- Inquiry from residents,
- Property is in the vicinity of bushland undergoing bush regeneration,
- Random inspections, or
- Observations from Council staff or residents.
Read more about property inspections.
How do we control weeds?
There are many different methods of controlling weeds. These methods often utilise a mix of manual and chemical measures varying with the type and species of weed.
