Introduction to aquatic weed management in Australia Andrew Petroeschevsky NSW Department of Primary Industries National Aquatic Weeds Management Group
Legislation and responsibilities State legislation Differing levels of control categories Eradicate Control/contain/suppress Ban from sale (environmental weeds) Responsibility for control – Vic DPI or Landholders 30+ aquatic plant species declared in Australia (approx 10 in Vic)
What are Australia’s worst aquatic weeds? Weeds of National Significance Alligator weed, cabomba, salvinia National Alert List Horsetails, lagarosiphon, senegal tea OtherWater hyacinth, water lettuce, dense waterweed.
Alligator Weed Status 100+ infestations around Melbourne Outbreak near Albury, NSW of high concern
Alligator weed
Cabomba Status Recently removed from sale in Victoria 2 Known sites (Lake Nagambie & Broken River) Previous infestation in Gippsland destroyed No registered herbicides available
Salvinia Status 15,000 hectares Most infestations under biocontrol Major outbreak in Yellow Water – Kakadu Occasionally found in nurseries & water gardens