Pest Plants and Animals
Pest animals, pest plants or weeds, and ecological diseases or pathogens are major threats to native biodiversity because of their ability to change and destroy habitats and ecosystems. They are the number one cause of native animal extinctions in Australia, the second biggest threat to river and stream areas and nationally important wetlands, and the third biggest threat to threatened ecosystems.
Invasive species such as these can also harm many social and economic assets. They may affect primary industries such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and they can impact recreation, tourism and cultural values such as sites of significance to indigenous people. Weeds alone cost the Victorian economy over $900 million each year.
The Victorian Government is dedicated to reducing this impact by preventing new pests and mitigating the impacts of established pests on social, environmental and economic assets. The Department of Sustainability and Environment plays an important role in setting policy and legislation, and guides government investment to achieve desired outcomes.
For further information on invasive species in marine and aquatic environments see Marine Pests and River Health (Our Water Our Future website).
 | Invasive Species Policy Policy arrangements for invasive species |
| Pest Animals Pest animal management on public land |
| Pest Plants Weed management on public land |
| Invasive Diseases Phytophthora cinnamomi management on public land |
| Pest Plants and Animals Initiatives Invasive species management on public land under initiative funding |
| Good Neighbour Program Invasive species management at the interface of public and private land |