The recent floods have presented new challenges in controlling the spread of noxious weeds throughout Kempsey Shire.
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Flood waters can carry and introduce new weed species onto paddocks, banks, and along roadsides.
Council's Weed Officers encourage landholders stay vigilant, especially in areas that were inundated by flood waters.
Water Hyacinth
During the floods, a significant number of Water Hyacinth floated downstream and were deposited on riverbanks and roadsides. This removed them from areas where infestations previously existed.
Landholders now have an opportunity and a responsibility to prevent it spreading again in water courses or dams on private lands.
Salvinia
Before the floods, Salvinia was growing in several dams in the Shire. Fortunately, many of these dams were cleared by the excessive heavy rains and flooding.
Staying on the lookout for new growth and acting quickly to remove or control it means that further spread can be avoided.
Active control programs prove Salvinia can be prevented from spreading on properties helping to maintain healthy water courses and dams.
Tropical Soda Apple (TSA)
Tropical Soda Apple (TSA) has significantly been controlled on private lands in the Shire where it exists along the entire Macleay River.
If TSA plants are seen to be germinating or growing on your land or on a roadside verge, it is important to let council Weed Officers know so they can be mapped and identified correctly.
This assists in knowing collecting accurate evidence to support potential grant funding for ongoing control programs.
Council Officers would welcome the opportunity to talk with locals about TSA and how to control and overcome this highly invasive weed.
More information is available from the NSW Weed Wise website: https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/, including details of high priority species in NSW, control options and the biosecurity duties of landholders.
