Resources for tackling weeds in Tasmania

There are many weeds in Tasmania, and a wide range of methods for controlling and eradicating them have been tried, studied and implemented. Many Landcare Tasmania members are dedicated to managing and eradicating weeds across the state. 

We've collated some useful some resources and links for helping tackle these pesky plants below.

 

Weed Identification:

  • Tasmanian Weeds Index (NRE)- ​​Use the Weed indexes to identify declared and non-declared agriculture weeds found in Tasmania. Information includes images for identification, control guides, and management plans. 

  • Environmental Weeds Tasmania (NRE)- Weeds that invade bushland and threaten native plants by out-competing them are known as environmental weeds. The List of Common Environmental Weeds includes description, control measure and impact.

  • Weeds Australia- A national weeds platform designed to connect you with up-to-date knowledge to make informed decisions about managing invasive weeds within Australia. Download the Weedscan app, it's an identification, recording and alert system for over 450 priority and other weeds.

  • Tasmanian Weeds Facebook Community- Not sure what the plant you're looking at might be? Why not link in with an community of passionate weed busters to help identify what your pesky plants are and work towards managing them. Join through their Facebook Group.

  • Invasive grasses- The NSW government has produced a 3-D model for Chilean Needle Grass, African Love Grass and Serrated Tussock, to help identify invasive grasses in Australia.

Weed Control:

  • Check out the Spanish Heath Resource Page we've made with Central Coast Council.

  • Landcare Tasmania's Spanish Health Herbicide Control- How To Video 

  • In the 1960s and 1970s Joan and Eileen Bradley developed a series of weed control and native vegetation recovery techniques through trial and error. Their work was the beginning of bush regeneration in New South Wales. The ‘Bradley method’ involved methodically clearing small areas in and around healthy native vegetation so that the each area was re-colonised by the regeneration of native plants, replacing the weeds. You can read more on the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) website .

Biological Control of Weeds in Tasmania:

Biological control is the use of insects and fungi to kill a specific plant.

 

  • African Boxthorn Biocontrol - safe, host-specific rust fungus (Puccinia rapipes) that infects the leaves and fruit of African boxthorn plants, the rust fungus will not kill African Boxthorn however, if it establishes well and causes severe disease in the weed, it will reduce its growth and reproductive output. Landcare Tasmania in partnership wtih CSIRO are inviting Landcare members, farmers and community members to submit an EOI if they are interested in being apart in the community release of the biocontrol in Tasmania in 2026-27. For more information, including how to participate in the release program, please click here.

 

  • Sea Spurge Biological control - CSIRO, initiated research to develop a biocontrol solution for sea spurge in 2009 and an agent was found in the Mediterranean region. Following an extensive review and consultation process, permission to release the fungus for sea spurge biocontrol was obtained in November 2020. Should your group like to participate in the community-led releases, please email Dr. Hunter. Contact details can be found in the PDF download: Sea-Spurge Biocontrol Information Sheet (pdf)

  • Gorse Biological control -  The Gorse Moth, which was first released in Tasmania in 2007, and Paraconiothyrium sp (a type of fungi native to Tasmania), have been observed as being extremely damaging to gorse when used together. More research is needed, but so far this strategy shows promise of being another much needed approach in the fight against gorse. Led by biological control expert John Ireson, Landcare Tasmania has released the biological control agents at sites across the North and North West of the state. You can read the 2022 Project report here.

Other resources: