Queenslanders to have their say on managing weeds

Biosecurity Queensland is encouraging the community to have its say on draft national strategic plans for asparagus weed, cat’s claw creeper, fireweed, Madeira vine, the opuntioid cacti and sagittaria.
These are among 12 newly declared Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). Each species has been assessed as nationally significant due to its economic, environmental and social impacts as well as their potential to spread.
Chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said Queensland was managing the strategies for cat’s claw creeper and Madeira vine, and it was important for the community to provide feedback on draft strategies, which are being managed by other states and territories, as all of these weeds had invaded Queensland to varying degrees.
“The strategies aim to restrict the spread of these weeds and reduce the impact of current infestations,” Dr Thompson said.
“National coordination ensures that on-the-ground activities and research are focused on strategic management of the priority weeds and that community capacity is increased to assist in fighting the spread of weeds throughout the country.”
There are six invasive species of asparagus weed, which have invaded all states and territories in Australia except the Northern Territory. These weeds threaten Australia’s biodiversity, including endangered coastal and forest ecosystems.
Cat’s claw creeper and Madeira vine were introduced as garden plants and have spread throughout urban and coastal regions of eastern Australia. These vines cause serious impacts to rainforests, vegetation along rivers and creek lines and other important environmental areas, including threatened ecosystems.
The opuntioid cacti are a group of up to 30 species, including Hudson pear, which has been declared a Class 1 weed in Queensland. Rangeland environments are especially vulnerable to these invasive cacti, which are drought-resistant, hardy and can survive in low rainfall environments.
Fireweed, a daisy-like plant with bright yellow flowers, is a serious pasture weed, which has spread along the east coast of Australia and, once established, is extremely difficult to eradicate. These plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to livestock causing liver damage and ill-thrift, a condition that causes weight loss.
Sagittaria, a highly destructive aquatic weed from South America, is found in south east Queensland as well as large areas of NSW. In Queensland it has the potential to spread to coastal waterways and irrigation districts from Cape York to the NSW border. Once established, sagittaria can be very difficult to control as it forms dense thickets that block irrigation channels and choke wetlands.
Draft national strategies and feedback forms for all species are available at www.weeds.org.au/WoNS. Public comment is being sought for these strategies over a four-week period ending on September 10.
For more information on weeds in Queensland, visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.