Your weed management responsibilities as a landowner

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Weeds are a problem on both private and public land. They cost the community millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and have a significant impact on our natural environment.  

Everyone has a legal role to play in managing weeds on their land, irrespective of whether that land is public or private.

A large number of plants in the Murrindindi Shire are declared as weeds under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and are seen as a major problem due to their ability to compete with native plants, crop plants and pasture. Some can even poison stock and humans and contaminate agricultural produce. 

There are three levels of noxious weeds in our Shire; each with its own requirements for landholders:

  • State prohibited weeds – Department of Environment and Primary Industries are responsible for the eradication of these weeds on all lands.
  • Regionally prohibited – The relevant landowner, lessee or management authority is responsible for the eradication of these weeds except on roadsides.
  • Regionally controlled – The relevant landowner, lessee or management authority is responsible for prevention of growth and spread of these weeds on their land.

Active control of declared weeds can include manual pulling, spraying, mechanical removal and livestock grazing. Another prevention strategy is to think twice about what you plant in your garden, and find out whether your garden species are invasive plants.

Weeds of the Goulburn Broken - A field guide to the terrestrial and aquatic weeds, published by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), can assist with identifying weeds on your property, and understand what your legal requirements are in managing them.

Invasive Plants in your Patch(PDF, 3MB) is a great resource for identifying invasive weeds that may be growing in and around your property. You can obtain a copy of this brochure by calling Council on (03) 5772 0333.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) also provides a range of useful information regarding weed management. 

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