Noxious Weeds, Vegetation & Pests

Residents are encouraged to be diligent regarding the control of noxious weeds within the Shire. Greater Hume Shire Council is very conscious of the impact of noxious weeds on the environment and encourages residents to inspect their properties on a regular basis and report any suspected noxious weeds to Council's Weeds Officers.

Council’s Weeds Officers can advise landholders of the various treatment methods for noxious weed eradication to suit each type of weed and are aware of the latest control measures.

Noxious Weed Alert

Chilean Needle Grass has been identified in areas throughout the Shire

Chilean Needle Grass is a tussocky perennial grass that is very invasive and forms dense stands in pastures, bushland and roadsides. It tolerates both drought and heavy grazing, which gives it huge potential to spread and overrun existing vegetation.

During warmer months this species produces large amounts of unpalatable flower stalks and very little leaf material resulting in a severe reduction of summer stock carrying capacity. Its presence may reduce land value.

Chilean Needle Grass is threatening the viability of grazing and is one of the greatest threats facing the environment in south eastern Australia.

This noxious weed has recently been found in the Shire, particularly in Culcairn, along the Olympic Way and Taylors Road/Mountain Creek Road area, as well as on Urana Road between Jindera and Burrumbuttock and the Jindera/Walla Walla Road. Other infestations have been located in the Bungowannah area and on the Howlong/Brocklesby Road.

If an infestation is discovered contact the Senior Weeds Officer immediately.

Senior Weeds Officer

Declared Noxious Weeds for Greater Hume Shire

W1	For a W1 noxious weed the presence of the weed on land must be notified to the local control authority and the weed must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed. (3 days).
W2	For a W2 noxious weed the weed must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed.
W3	For a W3 noxious weed the weed must be prevented from spreading and its numbers and distribution reduced.

Weeds Officers have the authority to determine the eradication priority for known weeds on properties depending on the infestation and ability of the weeds to spread.

ERNWAG and WRNWAG

Eastern Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Group (ERNWAG) and Western Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Group (WRNWAG) are the leading committees for weed management in the Riverina region including the catchments of the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lower Murray Darling and Lachlan.

The groups comprise all key stakeholders in weed management from Tumut in the east to Wentworth/ SA border in the west and Carrathool in the north to the Murray River in the south. For more information on these groups go to their website here.