Weeds

Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a given situation and may be harmful, dangerous or economically detrimental. Weeds are a serious threat to primary production and biodiversity in Victoria. They reduce farm and forest productivity, displace native species and contribute significantly to land and water degradation. It is estimated that the annual cost of weeds to Australian agriculture is $4 billion per year through yield losses and product contamination. The costs of weeds to the natural environment is also high, with weed invasion being ranked second only to habitat loss in causing biodiversity decline. Weeds are a major concern for private land and water managers and for government in Victoria. Weeds have serious impacts on agricultural production and have some direct and indirect social costs through the hindrance of the long-term sustainability of rural communities. Despite considerable government and private sector investment, weed invasion still represents a major threat to both the productive capacity of land and water and the integrity of our natural ecosystems. An efficient weed control program can only be developed after the weed has been properly identified.

Orange Hawkweed Photo: Annie Lamb

Weeds can be managed using many different methods. The most effective management of weeds is usually achieved through collaboration and co-operation, in partnerships between the community, land owners, agriculture, industry and the various levels of government, using a combination of methods in conjunction with a thorough follow-up campaign.


What's New

To view the attached PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).

Open Gardens
To assist people opening their gardens, DPI’s Weed Alert team is offering free visits from Weed Alert Contact Officers (WACOs) before the garden is opened. See the Open Gardens & Weeds Information Sheet (PDF 28kb) for more information.

Drought, Fire & Flood
The risk of weed invasion, and impact on farms and the environment, dramatically increases during and after an emergency such as drought, fire or flood. See the Weed Warning – Drought, Fire & Flood Information Sheet (PDF 45kb) for more information.