Priority Weeds
Did you know there are over 50 invasive plant species in the Newcastle area that have been flagged by the NSW Department of Primary Industries as high priorities for control or eradication?
These weeds threaten our local bushland, wildlife, and even our way of life, impacting everything from backyard gardens to public parks. By working together, we can help protect the environment, support our local economy, and keep Newcastle thriving for future generations.
Why Are These Weeds Prioritised?
Weed prioritisation is guided by a Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) conducted across the Hunter region and Newcastle LGA. In some cases, a site-specific WRA may be undertaken to evaluate the risks an invasive plant poses to key assets, such as:
- Threatened ecosystems
- Vulnerable native species
- High-value agricultural or recreational areas
Weed Management Categories
Newcastle’s weed management strategy is built around four key categories, each with a specific objective:
| Management category | Objective | Characteristics of weeds in this category |
|---|---|---|
Prevention | To prevent the weed species arriving and establishing in the region. | Weeds currently not found in the region, that pose a significant biosecurity risk and prevention of the biosecurity risk posed by these weeds is a reasonably practicable objective. |
Eradication | To permanently remove the species and its propagules from the region OR to destroy infestations to reduce the extent of the weed in the region with the aim of local eradication. | Weeds are present in limited abundance in the region. Elimination of the biosecurity risk posed by these weeds is a reasonably practicable objective. |
Containment | To prevent the ongoing spread of the species in all or part of the region. | These weeds are widely distributed in parts of the region. While broad scale elimination is not practicable, minimisation of the biosecurity risk posed by these weeds is reasonably practicable. |
Asset protection | To prevent the spread of weeds to key sites/assets of high economic, environmental and social value, or to reduce their impact on these sites if spread has already occurred. | These weeds are widely distributed in some areas of the region. |
Managing weeds early in the invasion process is significantly more cost-effective and impactful. Newcastle’s weed management objectives reflect this principle, focusing on:
- Early detection
- Rapid response
- Targeted control efforts
This proactive approach helps protect our region’s biodiversity, agriculture, and community spaces.
Learn More
Explore the full strategy in the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023 – 2027 to understand how regional collaboration is shaping weed control efforts. 
