It is an exciting time in weed management. A review of the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 is underway. It is hoped that mechanisms will be put in place to address the state’s weed crisis. See Stopping NSW’s Creeping Peril, a 26-page report prepared by the Invasive Species Council (ISC), calling for concerted action, largely from the NSW Government, to address the state’s growing weed problem .
The ISC is currently refining its recommendations in relation to the following principles:
1. Restricting new plant introductions to those assessed as low risk.
2. Eradicating new invaders where feasible and preventing the spread of others into new areas.
3. Controlling weeds to protect the environment and economy.
4. Requiring a duty of care and implementing the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
5. Using federal laws to address nationally significant weed threats.
6. Increasing the priority of weed management to adapt to climate change.
7. Developing governance arrangements that reflect the priority of weed threats for both the environment and agriculture, and provide for regional authority to implement weed plans.
8. Providing resources sufficient to achieve priority outcomes.
9 & 10. Supporting research and educational programs.