Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory
A Report by Andreas Glanznig and Ouerdia Kessal
WWF Australia
June 2004 WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 90 countries.
WWF Australia's mission is to conserve biodiversity in Australia and the Oceania Region. With the help of more than 50,000 supporters across Australia, we are currently working on 180 projects across the region, employing more than 80 people, and raising and investing around $10 million annually in conservation activities.
For more information, contact: WWF Australia GPO Box 528 Sydney, NSW, Australia Toll Free: 1800 032 551 Fax: 02-9281-1060 www.wwf.org.au [email protected]
This report was prepared by Andreas Glanznig, Biodiversity Policy Manager, WWF Australia, and Ouerdia Kessal, Project Officer, WWF Australia.
First published in 2004 by WWF Australia GPO Box 528 Sydney NSW 2001
© WWF Australia 2004. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 1 87594 170 3
WWF Australia Report
For bibliographic purposes this paper should be cited as:
Glanznig, A. and Kessal, O. 2004. Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory. WWF Australia: Sydney
For copies of this paper or a full list of WWF Australia publications on a wide range of conservation issues, please contact us on [email protected] or call (02) 9281 5515
Acknowledgements The advice and input of officials from all State and Territory governments is gratefully acknowledged.
2 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory Executive Summary The importance of implementing a strong national approach to prevent and control invasive plant problems has long been recognised. A major challenge has been harmonising State and Territory laws to foster a national statutory approach. While a key aspiration of the National Weeds Strategy, adopted in 1997 by the Australian and all State and Territory Governments, there remains both a high degree of variability in the terms and categories used by different States and Territories to declare noxious plant species. There are also large differences in the quality of their respective laws. Most recently, the recognition by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council of the need to develop a robust national framework to prevent and control invasive species again highlights the pressing need to develop an effective national statutory response. This report assesses the legal status to Invasive Plants of National Importance under respective State and Territory laws. Invasive Plants of National Importance are defined in this report to include plants on the Alert List of Environmental Weeds, those recommended for national eradication or containment in the report Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management, those on the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy target plant list, and Weeds of National Significance (WONS). However, to date only WONS species have been agreed by both the Australian Government and the States and Territories. To overcome the poor consistency between the classes and categories used by States and Territories, this study developed four general standard control classes to compare the legal status of IPNI by State and Territory. These were: 1.) prohibited from sale, 2.) prohibited from import, 3.) eradication required, 4.) control required. The key results are presented in the tables below.
Alert List Eradication Eradication Northern Weeds of from Natural from Australia National Ecosystems Agricultural Quarantine Significance Target List Ecosystems Strategy Target (WONS) Target List Plant List Number of listed invasive 28 34 26 41 20 plants Number and % under no 15 (54%) 21 (62%) 7 (27%) 29 (71%) 0 (0%) State/Territory legal control Prohibited for Sale in 18.3 % 9.9 % 24.5 % 6.7 % 58.1 % State/Territory* Prohibited for Import into 20.5 % 12.5 % 29.3 % 9.8 % 53.1 % State/Territory* Subject to Eradication in 15.2 % 7.7 % 18.7 % 5.5 % 31.9 % State/Territory* Subject to Control in 4.9 % 2.9 % 8.7 % 0.9 % 32.5 % State/Territory* Note: * Average across all States and Territories
Prohibited for Sale Prohibited for Import Subject to Subject to Control in in State/Territory* into State/Territory* Eradication in State/Territory* State/Territory* New South Wales 26.3% 22.3% 27.3% 7.8% Queensland 41.4% 41.4% 29.7% 9.8% South Australia 33.0% 19.6% 17.6% 8.1% Tasmania 24.5% 24.5% 1.5% 23.1% Victoria 20.6% 20.6% 19.6% 4.0% Western Australia 26.1% 55.7% 15.5% 1.5% Australian Capital 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 18.1% Territory Northern Territory 16.3% 16.3% 8.0% 6.0% Total 23.5% 25.1% 14.9% 9.8%
Note: * Average across all classes of invasive plants of national importance
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 3 The key findings are:
• There is a high degree of variability in State and Territory legal controls to invasive plants. At a national level, preventative legal measures on Invasive Plants of National Importance are poor, covering only about a quarter of plant species on average across all IPNI classes.
• On average, Queensland has the strongest preventative legal measures (controls on sale and importation) in place, though still only averaged 41.4% for preventative controls on IPNI species.
• By far, the State or Territory with the weakest preventative legal controls in place is the Australian Capital Territory, which averaged 0.0% due to outdated legislation not including provisions to enable the prohibition on sale and importation of declared invasive plants.
• The best performing State for controls on sale is Queensland (41.4%), followed by South Australia with an average of 33.0%, then followed by the cluster of New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania and further down, Victoria.
• The best performing State for controls on importation is Western Australia, which prohibits the importation of over half (55.7%) of IPNI species into their State. The findings lead to the following conclusions:
• Combined State and Territory government legislation forms a very poor statutory framework to prevent the sale of Invasive Plants of National Importance.
• Most Invasive Plants of National Importance are not prohibited for sale, ranging from an average of 6.7% for NAQS target list species, 18.3% for Alert List species to 58.1% for WONS species and varieties.
• The low result for WONS, despite a long standing agreement by all States and Territories to control the sale of these species, highlights that the States alone are unable to develop a coherent national legislative approach to Invasive Plants of National Importance in a timely manner, if at all. To date, only 2 States, Queensland and South Australia prohibit the sale of all 20 WONS.
• In general, the States and Territories did not have any legal controls in place for a high proportion of priority invasive plants still able to be eradicated, which included over half of the Alert List and nearly two- thirds of the natural ecosystem target list. This exemplifies that State and Territory government weed control efforts are poorly coordinated with those of the Australian Government, and the need for States and Territories to endorse and agree to be involved in the any national effort to prevent and eradicate priority species.
• For naturalised non-native plants recommended for national eradication or containment, there is a strong State/Territory bias toward agricultural over environmental invasive plants. This needs to be corrected by the States and Territories as a matter of urgency.
• States and Territories with relatively weaker legislative controls need to amend or enact new legislation to strengthen the overall preventative response to invasive plants, in particular the Australian Capital Territory.
• At a national level, far stronger legal controls are needed to prevent the sale and importation of Invasive Plants of National Importance.
• The findings provide strong evidence of the need for national controls, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999, to prohibit the sale of invasive plants of national importance. Without such regulations, efforts by the NRM Ministerial Council and Primary Industries Ministerial Council to establish “a national framework for preventative action” will be severely compromised.
4 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 1. Objectives
The State and Territory governments declare noxious plants under a very wide range of control classes and categories. The aim of this analysis is to:
1. Define four general legal control categories for invasive plant species to enable direct comparison between States and Territories: prohibition from sale, prohibition from import, subject to eradication, and subject to control.
2. Ascertain the legal status in each State and Territory of Invasive Plants of National Importance against these four general categories. Invasive Plants of National Importance are defined in this report to include plants on the Alert List of Environmental Weeds, those recommended for national eradication or containment in the report Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management, those on the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy target plant list, and Weeds of National Significance.
2. Approach
2.1 Comparative table of State and Territory declared and control categories
Respective State and Territory legislation and declaration processes were used to develop a comparative table to assess the differing legal control status for Invasive Plants of National Importance (IPNI) against four standard categories:
I. Prohibited for Sale and/or trade by State / Territory II. Prohibited Import by State / Territory III. Eradication required by State / Territory IV. Control required by State / Territory
The outcome from this new approach is presented in Table 1, featuring four general categories (I, II, III, IV).
The scope of the analysis covers both plants that are declared or are a controlled plant under respective State and Territory legislation to enable plants which are prohibited imports but not officially declared to be included in the study. An example is Lantana camara, which is on the non-statutory WA Quarantine List and is thus a prohibited import into Western Australia, but is not a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act, 1976.
Table 1: Comparative table of State and Territory invasive plant control categories
Categories NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Prohibition on sale W1 / W4 C1 / C2 / C3 sec. D S, P P1 N/A A / B / C (I) (a/b/c/d/ 54(1) e/f/g) 1 Prohibition on W11 C1 / C2 / C3 sec. D S Prohib N/A A / B / C import 52(1) Unass (II) P1/2/3/4/5 Eradication if W1, W2, C1 sec. N/A S P2 N/A A found W4(e) 1 57(1) (III) Control required W31 C22 sec. D C P3/5 D B (IV) 57(2)
Notes: 1 Applies regionally according to species 2 Qld C3 plants may require control in specific circumstances through a notice, where there is an impact on an environmentally significant area
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 5 2.2 Definitions
2.2.1 Classes of control
Prohibited from Sale (I)
This class includes species that are prohibited from sale or trade in the State or Territory.
Prohibited from Import (II)
This class includes species not permitted entry into State or Territory.
Eradication (III)
This class includes species that must be continuously suppressed and destroyed in the State or Territory.
Control (IV)
This class includes species capable of spreading further and control measures are required to prevent their growth and spread in the entire State or Territory or on a regional level only (regional control is designated as (1) in current lists).
2.2.2 Invasive Plants of National Importance (IPNI)
Invasive Plants of National Importance (IPNI) are defined as the class of invasive plants in which the Australian Government should have an interest, in cooperation with the States and Territories, to ensure a robust nationally coordinated and effective prevention, eradication and control response. There is currently no comprehensive list of Invasive Plants of National Importance agreed by the Australian, and all State and Territory governments, except the Weeds of National Significance.
The authority for Australian Government responsibility and interest is conferred by the Heads of Agreement on Commonwealth/State Roles and Responsibilities (1997) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (Article 8(h)).
The Heads of Agreement stipulates that the:
Commonwealth has a responsibility and an interest in relation to meeting obligations contained in the Convention on Biological Diversity in cooperation with the States, including under the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity and through relevant programmes.
The Commonwealth has an interest in relation to the development and implementation of measures and agreed programmes to control animals and weeds identified in national strategies, agreements, policies and control plans.
For the purposes of the Agreement:
• “Commonwealth responsibility” relates to meeting the obligations of those international agreements referred to and/or the administration of relevant Commonwealth legislation. Those responsibilities may be discharged in cooperation and/or consultation with the other parties to this Agreement
• “Commonwealth interest” relates to initiating or participating in the development of cooperative approaches for dealing with environmental problems, the establishment and delivery of programmes, and the provision of funding. Commonwealth interests may vary, from time to time, in relation to the particular matters of interest and the level of Commonwealth involvement.
6 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report In this report, Invasive Plants of National Importance are defined to include:
• National Alert List of Environmental Weeds
The list consists of 28 invasive plant species or genera that are or may be the subject of a national eradication project. The Alert list identifies a select set of species that are in the early stages of establishment and have the potential to become a significant threat to biodiversity if they are not managed.
• National eradication and containment list impacting natural ecosystems
This list consists of species indicated in table 4 in Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management (Groves et al. 2003):
¾ A list of 34 naturalised species that pose a direct threat to natural ecosystems because of their perceived impact on endangered native plant species.
• National eradication and containment list impacting agricultural ecosystems
This list consists of species indicated in table 8 in Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management (Groves et al. 2003):
¾ A list of 27 naturalised species presenting a perceived potential to impact agricultural ecosystems in the future should they ever spread further.
• Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) target species
This list includes 41 plant species selected as target species by the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy. NAQS maintains, and periodically reviews, lists of exotic insect pests, plant diseases, animal diseases and weeds which could enter through Australia's northern border and are serious threats to Australia's productivity, export markets and the environment.
• Weeds of National Significance (WONS)
This list consists of 20 weeds which have been identified under the National Weeds Strategy - developed by governments and industry on advice from the Australian Weeds Committee - as already causing significant environmental and agricultural damage.
3. Results
The listing of all Invasive Plants of National Importance (IPNI) for Australia is presented in tables 2, 3, 4,5 and 6, arranged alphabetically by species. These tables include:
• Alert List of Environmental Weeds, • List of target invasive plants impacting natural ecosystems recommended for national eradication or containment, • List of target invasive plants impacting agricultural ecosystems recommended for national eradication or containment, • Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy list, and • Weeds of National Significance list.
3.1 National Alert List of Environmental Weeds
The national Alert List of Environmental Weeds contains 28 non-native taxa that have naturalised in the environment. Table 2 summarises the legal and/or control status by State and Territory against the four general classes.
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 7 Table 2: State and Territory Control Status of National Alert List of Environmental Weeds Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States/ Territories Acacia catechu var. sundra Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I,II,III I:3 II: 3 III: 3 IV: 0 Acacia karroo NSW, Qld, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I:4 II: 4 III: 4 IV: 0 Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha
Barleria prionitis NT, WA II I, II, III I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Bassia scoparia (weedy form) NSW, Qld, SA(2), Tas, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 WA, ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 2 Calluna vulgaris
Chromolaena odorata (weedy form) NSW, Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II I: 4 II: 4 III: 3 IV: 0 Cynoglossum creticum
Cyperus teneristolon
Cytisus multiflora WA, ACT II IV I: 0 II: 1 III: 0 IV: 1 Dittrichia viscosa
Equisetum spp. NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III IV I: 6 WA, ACT* II: 6 III: 5 IV: 2 Gymnocoronis spilanthoides NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, WA, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 2 Hieracium aurantiacum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III II I: 3 II: 4 III: 2 IV: 1 Koelreuteria elegans
Lachenalia reflexa
Lagarosiphon major NSW, Qld, Tas, SA, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III IV I, II I: 7 WA, ACT, NT II: 7 III: 5 IV: 2 Nassella charruana Vic, WA, ACT I, II, III II IV I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 1 Nassella hyalina SA, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Pelargonium alchemilloides
Pereskia aculeata
Piptochaetium montevidense
Praxelis clematidea
Retama raetam
Senecio glastifolius
Thunbergia laurifolia Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Tipuana tipu
Trianoptiles solitaria
Total (I) by State/Territory N/A 7 8 5 5 5 7 0 4 18.3%
Total (II) by State/Territory N/A 7 8 5 5 5 12 0 4 20.5%
Total (III) by State/Territory N/A 7 8 5 0 5 7 0 2 15.2%
Total (IV) by State/Territory N/A 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 4.9%
Total Alert Species 28
8 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Notes
2 Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1)
Tasmanian law prohibits the sale and requires control of all declared species (I, IV) and the ACT requires control (IV) of all declared species. NSW listings apply to whole State
* ACT declaration of Equisetum spp only applies to Equisetum Arvense Key Findings
• Of the 28 plant species listed on the national Alert List of Environmental Weeds, only 13 (46%) were controlled in one or more States/Territories: 4 were declared in two States/Territories; three in three States/Territories; and seven in four or more States/Territories.
• On average across all States/Territories, only 18.3% are prohibited from sale, 20.5% are prohibited imports, 15.2% are subject to eradication, and 4.9% are subject to control. The low result in the first two categories highlights the poor preventative controls in place on Alert List species.
• Well over half (15 or 54%) are not controlled in any State/Territory.
• Queensland is the best performing State in terms of number of Alert List taxa prohibited for sale (8 or 29%).
• Western Australia is the best performing State in terms of number of Alert List taxa prohibited for import (12 or 43%).
• The ACT is the poorest performing State or Territory in terms of Alert List species prohibited for sale or import.
3.2 Target plants for national eradication in natural ecosystems
A total of 34 naturalised non-native species in the Australian flora (Table 3) that are impacting on natural ecosystems and 26 naturalised non-native species impacting on agricultural ecosystems (Table 4), for which a national containment or eradication program is recommended, were identified in Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management (Groves et al. 2003).
Table 3: State and Territory Government Control Status of Naturalised Non-native Species in the Australian flora that are impacting on Natural Ecosystems for which a National or State Containment or Eradication Program is being Implemented or is Recommended (Groves et al 2003)
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories Acacia catechu var. sundra Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I,II,III I:3 II: 3 III: 3 IV: 0 Acacia karroo NSW, Qld, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I:4 II: 4 III: 4 IV: 0 Annona reticulata
Asystasia gangetica ssp. Micrantha
Bassia scoparia weedy form NSW, Qld, Tas, SA(2), I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 WA, ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 2 Centaurea eriophora
Centaurea maculosa NSW, WA I, II, III II IV I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 1 Chromolaena odorata less weedy form Chromolaena odorata Weedy form NSW, Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II I: 4 II: 4 III: 3 IV: 0 Crataegus azarolus SA(2), WA I, IV II I: 1 II: 1 III: 0 IV: 1 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 9 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories Cyperus teneristolon
Dittrichia viscosa
Gliricidia sepium
Iva axillaris ssp. robustior Vic, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Jarava plumosa SA, WA I, II, IV II I: 1 II: 1 III: 0 IV: 1 Juncus subnodulosus
Koelreuteria elegans ssp. elegans
Lachenalia reflexa
Nassella charuana Vic, WA, ACT I, II, III II IV I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 1 Oenanthe pimpinelloides SA(1) , WA I, II, IV II I: 1 II: 2 III: 0 IV: 1 Ornithogalum longibracteatum
Orobanche ramosa SA, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I: 3 II: 3 III: 3 IV: 0 Panicum racemosum
Pelargonium alchemilloides
Piptochaetium montevidense
Reseda phyteuma SA(1) , WA I,II, IV II I: 1 II: 2 III: 0 IV: 1 Retama raetam
Schoenoplectus californicus
Senecio glastifolius
Stachys sylvatica
Succowia balearica
Thunbergia laurifolia Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Tipuana tipu
Trianoptiles solitaria
Total (I) by State/Territory N/A 4 5 6 1 4 5 0 2 9.9%
Total (II) by State/Territory N/A 4 5 5 1 4 13 0 2 12.5%
Total (III) by State/Territory N/A 4 5 2 0 4 5 0 1 7.7%
Total (IV) by State/Territory N/A 0 0 4 1 0 0 3 0 2.9%
Total Species 34
Notes
1 Regional control and declaration applies for the species (See Appendix 1) 2 Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1)
Key Findings
• Of the 34 naturalised non-native species that are impacting on natural ecosystems for which a national eradication or containment program is recommended, only 14 (41%) are controlled in one or more States: 7 (21%) are controlled in two States/Territories; 2 (6%) are controlled in 3 States/Territories, and 4 (12%) are declared in 4 or more States/Territories.
• On average across all States/Territories, only 9.9% are prohibited from sale, 12.5% are prohibited imports, 7.7% are subject to eradication, and 2.9% are subject to control. This highlights the poor preventative controls in place on these species.
• Nearly two-thirds (21 or 62%) of the species/taxa are not controlled in any State/Territory. 10 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 3.3 Target plants for national eradication in agricultural ecosystems
Table 4: State and Territory Government Control Status of Naturalised Non-native Species in the Australian flora that are impacting Agricultural Ecosystems for which a National or State Containment or Eradication Program is being Implemented or is Recommended (Groves et al 2003)*
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories For eradication or being eradicated at present Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha
Bassia (Kochia) scoparia NSW, Qld, SA(2), Tas, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 WA, ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 2 Centaurea maculosa NSW, WA, ACT I, II, III II IV I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 1 Chromolaena odorata NSW, Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II I: 4 II: 4 III: 3 IV: 0 Cleome rutidosperma
Clidemia hirta Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Equisetum arvense NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III IV I: 6 WA, ACT II: 6 III: 5 IV: 2 Equisetum hyemale NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III I: 6 WA II: 6 III: 5 IV: 1 Equisetum ramosissimum NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III I: 6 WA II: 5 III: 5 IV: 1 Hieracium pilosella NSW, Tas, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III II I: 3 II: 4 III: 2 IV: 1 Jarava plumosa SA, WA I, III, IV II I: 1 II: 1 III: 1 IV: 1 Limnocharis flava Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Mikania micrantha Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Nassella charruana Vic, WA, ACT I, II, III II IV I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 1 Orobanche loricata SA(2), Tas(2) ,WA(2) I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, IV I: 3 II: 3 III: 1 IV: 2 Orobanche ramosa SA, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I: 3 II: 3 III: 3 IV: 0 Recommended for eradication
Aeschynomene paniculata
Brillantaisia lamium
Carthamus leucocaulos WA(1) I, II, IV I: 1 II: 1 III: 0 IV: 1 Crupina vulgaris
Cyperus teneristolon
Hieracium aurantiacum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III II I: 3 II: 4 III: 2 IV: 1 Hieracium murorum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III II I: 3 II: 4 III: 2 IV: 1 Onopordum tauricum NSW(1), Tas, WA III, IV I, II, IV II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 2 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 11 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories Recommended for containment
Elephantopus mollis Qld, WA I, II, IV II I: 1 II: 2 III: 0 IV: 1 Praxelis clematidea
Total (I) by State/Territory N/A 9 9 7 9 8 8 0 1 24.5%
Total (II) by State/Territory N/A 9 9 6 9 8 19 0 1 29.3%
Total (III) by State/Territory N/A 9 8 7 0 8 6 0 0 18.7%
Total (IV) by State/Territory N/A 1 1 1 9 0 2 4 0 8.7%
Total Species 26
Notes
1 Regional control and declaration applies for the species (See Appendix 1) 2 Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1) * Groves et al report cited 27 species impacting agricultural ecosystems whereas only 26 species are presented in table 8 from the same reference.
Key Findings
• Of the 26 naturalised non-native species that are impacting on agricultural ecosystems for which a national eradication or containment program is recommended, nearly three quarters (19 or 73%) are controlled in one or more States/Territories: 1 (4%) is controlled in only one State; 5 (19%) are controlled in two States; 3 (12%) are controlled in 3 States/Territories, and 10 (38%) are controlled in 4 or more States/Territories.
• On average across all States/Territories, only 24.5% are prohibited from sale, 29.3% are prohibited imports, 19.7% are subject to eradication, and 8.7% are subject to control.
• Over a quarter (7 or 27%) species/taxa are not controlled in any State/Territory.
• A significant number of States (Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA) prohibit the sale of 7-9 species. NSW is the best performing State in terms of number of species prohibited for sale (11 or 42%).
• Western Australia has the most comprehensive prohibition on importation of these species (19 or 73%).
• Far stronger controls are in place for national eradication target agricultural weeds compared to national eradication target environmental weeds. A comparision of tables 4 and 3 shows that: - 25.5% of national eradication target agricultural weeds are prohibited for sale compared to 9.2% of national eradication target natural ecosystem weeds - 30.3% are prohibited for import compared to 11.8% respectively - 18.7% are required to be eradication compared to 7.0% respectively, and - 8.7% are required to be controlled compared to 2.6% respectively.
12 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 3.4 Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) Target Plant List
The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy uses target lists to focus attention on exotic pests, diseases and weeds of particular concern. In total, 41 weed species (Table 5) are listed under NAQS.
Table 5: State and Territory Government Control Status of Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) invasive plant target list species
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories Amaranthus dubius
Austroeupatorium inulaefolium
Boerhavia erecta
Brachiaria paspaloides
Chromolaena odorata NSW, Qld, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II I: 4 II: 4 III: 3 IV: 0 Cleome rutidosperma
Clidemia hirta Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Coix aquatica
Croton hirtus
Digitaria fuscescens
Digitaria insularis
Diodia sarmentosa
Echinochloa glabrescens
Echinochloa stagnina
Equisetum ramosissimum NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III I: 6 WA II: 6 III: 5 IV: 1 Eriocaulon truncatum
Eriochloa polystachya
Fimbristylis umbellaris
Hybanthus attenuatus
Hyptis brevipes
Ischaemum timorense
Leptochloa chinensis
Leptochloa panicea
Limnocharis flava Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Mikania cordata Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Mikania micrantha Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Mucuna pruriens
Myriophyllum spicatum Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Paederia foetida
Piper aduncum Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rotala indica
Sacciolepis interrupta
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 13 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total declared where? for all States and Territories Salvinia cucullata Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Salvinia natans Qld, WA I, II, III II I: 1 II: 2 III: 1 IV: 0 Schoenoplectus juncoides
Scirpus maritimus
Spermacoce assurgens
Spermacoce mauritiana
Striga angustifolia Qld(2), Tas(2) , WA I, II, III I, II, IV II I: 2 II: 3 III: 1 IV: 1 Striga asiatica Qld(2), Tas(2) , WA I, II, III I, II, IV II I: 2 II: 3 III: 1 IV: 1 Total (I) by State/Territory N/A 2 12 1 3 1 2 0 1 6.7%
Total (II) by State/Territory N/A 2 12 1 3 1 12 0 1 9.8%
Total (III) by State/Territory N/A 2 12 1 0 1 2 0 0 5.5%
Total (IV) by State/Territory N/A 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0.9%
Total Species 41
Notes
2 Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1)
Key Findings
• Of the 41 non-native invasive plants listed on the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, 12 (29%) are controlled in one or States/Territories: 8 (20%) are controlled in 2 States/Territories; 2 (5%) are controlled in 3 States/Territories; 1 (2%) is controlled in 4 States/Territories; and 1 (2%) is controlled in 6 States/Territories.
• On average across all States/Territories, only 6.7% are prohibited for sale, 9.8% are prohibited imports, 5.5% are subject to eradication, and 0.9% are subject to control.
• Nearly three quarters (29 or 71%) species/taxa are not controlled in any State/Territory.
• Of the States and Territories that span northern Australia, Queensland has the most comprehensive controls on NAQS target species, with 12 species prohibited for sale and importation, and subject to eradication. The same 12 species are also prohibited imports into Western Australia. The Northern Territory has the poorest controls by far with only 1 species prohibited for sale and importation.
• Of the southern States, Tasmania is the best performer with 3 species prohibited for sale and subject to control.
14 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 3.5 Weeds of National Significance (WONS)
This list, agreed by the Commonwealth and all States and Territories, includes 20 widespread nationally significant invasive plants (Table 6) that impact agriculture and the environment.
Table 6: State and Territory Government control status for ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WONS)
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total for all where? declared for all States and Territories Accacia nilotica ssp. indica NSW(1), Qld, SA, WA, NT I, II, III I, II, IV I I, II, III I, II, III I: 5 II: 4 III: 3 IV: 1 Alternanthera philoxeroides NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III, IV1 I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III IV I, II, III I: 7 WA, ACT, NT II: 7 III: 6 IV: 3 Annona glabra Qld, SA, WA I, II, IV I II I: 2 II: 2 III: 0 IV: 1 Asparagus asparagoides NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, I, IV I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, IV II I: 4 WA II: 3 III: 1 IV: 3 Cabomba caroliniana NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, WA, I I, II, IV I I, II, IV I, II, III IV I, II, III I: 6 NT, ACT II: 4 III: 2 IV: 3 Chrysanthemoides monilifera NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas(2), I, II, III, IV I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, IV I, II, III, IV IV I: 5 Vic(1,2), WA II: 4 III: 3 IV: 5 Cryptostegia grandiflora Qld, SA, WA, NT I, II, IV I I, II, III I, II I: 4 II: 3 III: 1 IV: 1 Hymenachne amplexicaulis Qld, SA, WA I, II, IV I II I: 2 II: 2 III: 0 IV: 1 Lantana camara NSW(1), Qld, Tas, SA, III, IV I, II I I, II, IV II I, II, IV I: 4 WA, NT(1) II: 4 III: 1 IV: 3 Mimosa pigra Qld, SA, WA(1), NT(1) I, II, III I I, II I, II, III, IV I: 4 II: 3 III: 2 IV: 1 Nassella neesiana NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, I, III, IV I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, IV II IV I: 4 WA, ACT II: 4 III: 2 IV: 4 Nassella trichotoma NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, III, IV I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III, IV II IV I: 4 Vic(1), WA, ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 4 Parkinsonia aculeata NSW(1), Qld, SA, NT, I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III I, II, IV I: 5 WA(1), II: 5 III: 3 IV: 2 Parthenium hysterophorus NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA, I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III IV I, II, III I: 6 ACT, NT II: 6 III: 5 IV: 2 Prosopis spp. NSW(1), Qld(2), SA, Vic, I, II, III I, II, III, IV I, II, III I, II, III I, II, III I, II,IV I: 6 WA(1), NT(3) II: 5 III: 5 IV: 2 Rubus fruticosus NSW(1), Vic(1), Qld, Tas, III, IV I, II I, II, IV I, II, IV I, II, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 SA(2),, WA(1), ACT II: 5 III: 2 IV: 5 Salix spp. except S. babylonica, S. X NSW(2), Qld(2), SA(2), I, II I, II, III I I, II, IV II IV I: 4 calodendron and S. X reichardtii Tas(2), WA, ACT(2) II: 4 III: 1 IV: 2 Salvinia molesta NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, III I, II, III IV I, II, III, IV I: 7 WA, ACT, NT(1) II: 7 III: 5 IV: 4 Tamarix aphylla Qld, SA, Tas, WA, NT I, II I I, II, IV II I, II, IV I: 4 II: 4 III: 0 IV: 2 Ulex europaeus NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, III I, II, III I, II, IV I, II, IV I, II, III, IV I, II, III IV I: 5 Vic(1), WA(1), ACT II: 5 III: 4 IV: 4
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 15 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT Total for all where? declared for all States and Territories Total (I) by State/Territory N/A 11 20 20 12 8 11 0 11 58.1%
Total (II) by State/Territory N/A 7 20 8 12 8 19 0 11 53.1%
Total (III) by State/Territory N/A 12 9 7 0 7 10 0 6 31.9%
Total (IV) by State/Territory N/A 7 9 5 12 4 0 9 6 32.5%
Total Species 20
Notes:
1 Regional control and declaration applies for the species (See Appendix 1) 2 Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1) 3 Prosopis spp. are Class 3 weeds in the NT and are consequently category I and II for the purposes of this analysis. However, Prosopis limensis is a Class B weed in the NT, and is subject to control, and is consequently category IV for the purposes of this analysis. For the purposes of this analysis, Prosopis spp. has been marked category IV even though this classsification only applies for one species in the genus.
Key Findings
• Of the 20 Weeds of National Significance (WONS), all (100%) are controlled in one or more States/Territories: 2 (10%) are controlled in 3 States/Territories, 2 (10%) are controlled in 4 States and Territories, and 4 (20%)are controlled in 5 States/Territories, 5 (25%) are controlled in 6 States/Territories, 5 (25%) are controlled in 7 States/Territories, and 2 (10%) are controlled in all 8 States/Territories.
• On average across all States/Territories, just over half (58%) are prohibited for sale, 53% are prohibited imports, 32% are subject to eradication, and 33% are subject to control.
• All 20 species/taxa are prohibited from sale in Queensland and South Australia.
• All 20 WONS are prohibited imports into Queensland, while 19 of the 20 species are listed on the non- statutory WA quarantine list and are thus also a prohibited import into that State.
• The ACT has the least controls on WONS with only 9 (45%) species subject to eradication and/or control.
16 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Overarching Notes for Tables 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 General
• (1) Regional control and declaration (See Appendix 1) applies for the species. This means not all weeds are necessarily declared for all areas and the category of declaration varies from area to area within State or Territory.
• (2) Taxa related declaration applies for the species in given State or Territory (See Appendix 1).
• Declaration and control categories used for Salix spp. (except S. babylonica, S. X calodendron and S. X reichardtii) actually apply to all Salix species as in reference used. However further exceptions from Salix spp. may apply for some States and Territories.
New South Wales
• Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 (NSW) all plants declared as category W1, W4a, W4b, W4c, W4d, W4f and W4g are prohibited from sale. W4(e) prohibits sale as “all reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure produce, soil, livestock, equipment and vehicles are free of the weed before sale or movement from an infested area of the property”. However, the legislation and declaration process in NSW allows weeds to be declared for all or part of the state. At this time there are approximately 140 local government areas in NSW (Local Government is presently being restructured in NSW). Only very high priority weeds are declared Statewide.
• The action specified in declaration under W4 class must be taken in respect of the weed (See Appendix 1)
Queensland
• All C1, C2 and C3 species are prohibited from sale and import in Queensland
South Australia
• Relevant section for prohibition from sale in SA legislation is 54(1/2) (Animal and Plant Control Act). Sale Restriction is under Classes 10 and 11. However, the prohibited from sale list obtained for SA includes not only species listed as Class 10 and 11, but also other classes and categories.
Tasmania
• All declared plant species are prohibited from sale. Restrictions or measures for each declared weed will be specified in the weed management plan.
Victoria
• All plant species declared as State Prohibited, Regionally Prohibited, Regionally Controlled or Restricted noxious weeds must not be sold or traded in Victoria.
Australian Capital Territory
• Control required for all declared species.
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 17 Appendix 1: Key to symbols used in declared noxious categories for each State/Territory
State/Territory Code Description
New South Wales Noxious Weeds Act 1993 W1 Notifiable weed. The presence of the weed on land must be notified to the Local Control Authority within three days of detection and the weed must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed. It is an offence to sell, move or cause to be moved any W1 weed material, or any animal or thing which has W1 weed material in or on it in the Local Control Area. W2 The weed must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed on land that is the responsibility of all private landowners and managers, Local Control Authorities and public authorities. W3 The weed must be prevented from spreading and its numbers and distribution reduced. W4 The action specified in the declaration must be taken in respect of the weed. (a) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed and any part of the weed must be prevented from growing within 3 metres of the boundary of a property. (b) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed and any existing weed must be prevented from flowering and fruiting. (c) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed and the weed must be prevented from spreading to an adjoining property. (d) The weed (i) must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed and, (ii) must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed if it is: - listed on the State heritage register under the Heritage Act 1997, - listed for preservation or protection as a heritage item under an Environmental Planning Instrument under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, - listed for preservation or protection in a tree preservation order of the council for the Local Government Area, - included for preservation or protection in a Plan of Management for a Local Government Area under section 40 of the Local Government Act 1993, or - included for preservation or protection in a noxious weed policy or a noxious weed control program approved by the Local Control Authority for the area for which it is the Local Control Authority. (e) The weed must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed. All reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure produce, soil, livestock, equipment and vehicles are free of the weed before sale or movement from an infested area of the property. (f) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed. Any biological control or other control program directed by a Local Control Authority must be implemented. (g) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed. Notes S All salix spp. other than S. babylonica, S. X calodrendron, S. X reichardtii. S. nigra is also a W2 weed in the Maclean Local Control Area. Regional Declarations Weeds are declared on a Local Control Authority (LCA) basis and declarations for the same noxious weed can vary across the State. There are 138 LCAs. The NSW Agriculture noxious weeds database lists weeds by council area plus the Western Lands LCA and the Lord Howe Island LCA. There are 187 local council areas plus the two other LCAs. m Applies to a majority of local council areas of the State p Applies to a minority of local council areas of the State For a noxious weed declaration for a specific area of the State, check the NSW Agriculture's weeds database (http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/ap/weeds/).
Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 C1 Plants not commonly present in Queensland and, if introduced, would cause an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. Class 1 plants established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. C2 Plants are established in Queensland and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 2 plants.
18 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report State/Territory Code Description C3 Class 3 pests are established in Queensland and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. A pest control notice can only be issued for land that is, or is in, or is adjacent to, an environmentally significant area. Notes (a) Whole genus declared Class 2 except for Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig).
(b) Whole genus including hybrids declared Class 1 except for Prosopis glandulosa, P. pallida (algaroba) and P velutina which are declared as Class 2 weeds.
(c) Whole genus declared as Class 1 except Salix babylonica (weeping willow), S. x calodendron (pussy willow), S. chilensis syn. S. humboldtiana (pencil willow-Class 3) and S. x reichardtii (pussy willow).
(d) Whole genus declared Class 1 except Salvinia molesta which is declared as a Class 2 weed.
(e) Whole genus declared Class 1 except for native species.
South Australia Animal and Plant (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986 s54(1) Prohibits sale of the plant
s52(1) Prohibits bringing the plant into a control area for that plant – where the control area may be the whole of the State, as it is for kochia (for example)
s57(1) Requires eradication if found
s57(2) Requires control if found
Tasmania Weed Management Act 1999 D Declared plants. Restrictions or measures for each declared weed will be specified in the weed management plan. Notes (a) Chrysanthemoides monilifera including subspecies (b) Not including Orobanche minor and Orobanche australiana (Orobanche cernua var australiana - Australian broomrape) (c) Not including Salix babylonica, S. X calodendron, S. X reichardtii (d) All non-indigenous species of Striga
Victoria Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 S State Prohibited Weeds. Do not occur in Victoria or it is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from the state. P Regionally Prohibited Weeds. Are not widely distributed throughout the region, are capable of spreading further and it is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from the region. C Regionally Controlled Weeds. Occur in the region, are capable of spreading further and continuing control measures are required to prevent their spread. Regional Declaration Numbers following categories refer to the number of regions in which the Numbers weed is declared (total of eleven regions as under the noxious weeds listing, the Port Phillip region is split into an east and west region giving a total of eleven) R Restricted noxious weed category exists in Victoria where prohibition of sale and trade of species is the only legal requirement. At present there are no plants proclaimed as restricted in Victoria, the review of noxious weeds lists about to be conducted in Victoria will see plants placed in this category.
Western Australia Agricultural and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 Prohib Plant species on the Permitted and Prohibited list not permitted entry into WA under the Plant Diseases Act 1974. Unass Plant species declared in other States and Territories that are not on the Permitted and Prohibited list, are unassessed and are prohibited until assessed via a weed risk assessment. Declared weed species listed in the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 only P1 PREVENTION of trade, sale or movement
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 19 State/Territory Code Description P2 ERADICATE - Serious weeds which are not yet widely established in WA. P3 CONTROL - Serious weeds which cannot be eradicated in the short term, but must be kept under control. P4 CONTAIN - Well-established plants where reducing the infestation is either impractical or uneconomical. P5 Weeds to be CONTROLLED on public land or land under the control of a local government. Notes (a) Not including Orobanche cernua var australiana (Australian broomrape) and O. minor (clover broomrape). Regional Declarations ^ Not prescribed for whole of the State.
Australian Capital Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 Territory D Declared pest plant. Notes (a) All Salix spp. except for the permitted species, Salix babylonica, S. X calodendron, S. X reichardii
Northern Territory Weeds Management Act 2001 A Class A Noxious Weeds - to be eradicated. B Class B Noxious Weeds - growth and spread to be controlled. C Class C Noxious Weeds - not to be introduced to the Territory. All Class A and B weeds are also considered to be Class C weeds. Regional Declaration ^ Not prescribed for all of the Territory.
20 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Appendix 2: List of Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Class by State/Territory
1. State and Territory Legal Class of Alert List of Environmental Weeds
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Acacia catechu var. sundra Qld, WA, NT C1 P1/2 A/C
Acacia karroo NSW, Qld, Vic, WA W1 C1 S P1/2
Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha
Barleria prionitis NT, WA Unass A/C
Bassia scoparia (weedy form) NSW, Qld, SA(2), Tas, W1 C1 9+(a) D P1/2 D WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Calluna vulgaris
Chromolaena odorata (weedy form) NSW, Qld, WA, NT W1 C1 P1/2 C
Cynoglossum creticum
Cyperus teneristolon
Cytisus multiflora WA, ACT Unass D
Dittrichia viscosa
Equisetum spp. NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 WA, ACT* s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Gymnocoronis spilanthoides NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, WA, W1 C1 1N# D P1/2 D ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Hieracium aurantiacum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA S
Koelreuteria elegans
Lachenalia reflexa
Lagarosiphon major NSW, Qld, Tas, SA, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 D C WA, ACT, NT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Nassella charruana Vic, WA, ACT S Unass D
Nassella hyalina SA, WA 1N# Unass s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Pelargonium alchemilloides
Pereskia aculeata
Piptochaetium montevidense
Praxelis clematidea
Retama raetam
Senecio glastifolius
Thunbergia laurifolia Qld, WA C1 Unass
Tipuana tipu
Trianoptiles solitaria
2. State and Territory Legal Class of Naturalised Non-native Species in the Australian flora that are impacting on Natural Ecosystems for which a National or State Containment or Eradication Program is being Implemented or is Recommended (Groves et al 2003)
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Acacia catechu var. sundra Qld, WA, NT C1 P1/2 A/C
Acacia karroo NSW, Qld, Vic, WA W1 C1 S P1/2
Annona reticulata
Asystasia gangetica ssp. Micrantha
Bassia scoparia weedy form NSW, Qld, Tas, SA(2), W1 C1 9+(a) D P1/2 D WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Centaurea eriophora
Centaurea maculosa NSW, WA, ACT W1 Unass D
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 21 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Chromolaena odorata less weedy form Chromolaena odorata Weedy form NSW, Qld, WA, NT W1 C1 P1/2 C
Crataegus azarolus SA(2), WA 5* Prohib s54(1) s57(2) Cyperus teneristolon
Dittrichia viscosa
Gliricidia sepium
Iva axillaris ssp. robustior Vic, WA S Prohib
Jarava plumosa SA, WA 2n@ Unass s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Juncus subnodulosus
Koelreuteria elegans ssp. elegans
Lachenalia reflexa
Nassella charuana Vic, WA, ACT S Unass D
Oenanthe pimpinelloides SA(1) , WA 1n@ Unass s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Ornithogalum longibracteatum
Orobanche ramosa NSW, SA, Vic, WA 1N# S P1/2 s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Panicum racemosum
Pelargonium alchemilloides
Piptochaetium montevidense
Reseda phyteuma SA(1) , WA 1N^* Unass s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Retama raetam
Schoenoplectus californicus
Senecio glastifolius
Stachys sylvatica
Succowia balearica
Thunbergia laurifolia Qld, WA C1 Unass
Tipuana tipu
Trianoptiles solitaria
3. State and Territory Legal Class of Naturalised Non-native Species in the Australian flora that are impacting on Agricultural Ecosystems for which a National or State Containment or Eradication Program is being Implemented or is Recommended (Groves et al 2003)
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? For eradication or being eradicated at present Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha
Bassia (Kochia) scoparia NSW, Qld, SA(2), Tas, W1 C1 9+(a) D P1/2 D WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Centaurea maculosa NSW, WA, ACT W1 Unass D
Chromolaena odorata NSW, Qld, WA, NT W1 C1 P1/2 C
Cleome rutidosperma
Clidemia hirta Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Equisetum arvense NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 D WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1)
Equisetum hyemale NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 WA s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) 22 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Equisetum ramosissimum NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 WA s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Hieracium pilosella NSW, Tas, Vic, WA W1 D S Prohib
Jarava plumosa SA, WA 2N@ Unass s54(1) s52(1) s57(2)
Limnocharis flava Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Mikania micrantha Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Nassella charruana Vic, WA, ACT S Unass D
Orobanche loricata SA(2), Tas(2) ,WA(2) 1N# (f) D P1/2 (a) s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Orobanche ramosa SA, Vic, WA 1N# S P1/2 s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Recommended for eradication
Aeschynomene paniculata
Brillantaisia lamium
Carthamus leucocaulos WA(1) P1^/3^/4^
Crupina vulgaris
Cyperus teneristolon
Hieracium aurantiacum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA W1 D S Prohib
Hieracium murorum NSW, Tas, Vic, WA W1 D S Prohib
Onopordum tauricum NSW(1), Tas, WA W2/3 p D Unass
Recommended for containment
Elephantopus mollis Qld, WA C2 Prohib
Praxelis clematidea
4. State and Territory Legal Class of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) list
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Amaranthus dubius
Austroeupatorium inulaefolium
Boerhavia erecta
Brachiaria paspaloides
Chromolaena odorata NSW, Qld, WA, NT W1 C1 P1/2 C
Cleome rutidosperma
Clidemia hirta Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Coix aquatica
Croton hirtus
Digitaria fuscescens
Digitaria insularis
Diodia sarmentosa
Echinochloa glabrescens
Echinochloa stagnina
Equisetum ramosissimum NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1 C1 1N# D S P1/2 WA s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Eriocaulon truncatum
Eriochloa polystachya
Fimbristylis umbellaris
Hybanthus attenuatus
Hyptis brevipes
Ischaemum timorense
Leptochloa chinensis Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 23 Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Leptochloa panicea
Limnocharis flava Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Mikania cordata Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Mikania micrantha Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Mucuna pruriens
Myriophyllum spicatum Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Paederia foetida
Piper aduncum Qld, WA C1 Prohib
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rotala indica
Sacciolepis interrupta
Salvinia cucullata Qld, WA C1(d) Prohib
Salvinia natans Qld, WA C1(d) Prohib
Schoenoplectus juncoides
Scirpus maritimus
Spermacoce assurgens
Spermacoce mauritiana
Striga angustifolia Qld(2), Tas(2) , WA C1(e) D(d) Prohib
Striga asiatica Qld(2), Tas(2) , WA C1(e) D(d) Prohib
5. State and Territory Legal Class of ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WONS) list
Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Accacia nilotica ssp. indica NSW(1), Qld, SA, WA, NT W1 p C2 11+ P1/2 A/C s54(1) Alternanthera philoxeroides NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W 1/2/3 C1 1N# D S P1/2 D A/C WA, ACT, NT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Annona glabra Qld, SA, WA C2 11+ Prohib s54(1) Asparagus asparagoides NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, W3/4c p C1 2@ D Prohib WA s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Cabomba caroliniana NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, WA, W4g C2 11+ D P1/2 D A/C NT, ACT s54(1) Chrysanthemoides monilifera NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas(2), W1/2/3 p C1 4@ D(a) P4 C6 P5 Vic(1,2), WA s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Cryptostegia grandiflora Qld, SA, WA, NT C2 11+ P1/2 C s54(1) Hymenachne amplexicaulis Qld, SA, WA C2 11+ Prohib s54(1) Lantana camara NSW(1), Qld, Tas, SA, W2/3 p C3 11+ D Prohib B^/C WA, NT(1) s54(1) Mimosa pigra Qld, SA, WA(1), NT(1) C1 11+ P1^ A^/B^/C s54(1) Nassella neesiana NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, W2/3/4e p C1 2N@ D Prohib D WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(2) Nassella trichotoma NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, W2/3 p C1 1N# D P6 C4 Prohib D Vic(1), WA, ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Parkinsonia aculeata NSW(1), Qld, SA, NT, W1 p C2 1N# P1^/2^/4^ B/C WA(1), s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Parthenium hysterophorus NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA, W1 C2 1N# S P1/2 D A/C ACT, NT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Prosopis spp. NSW(1), Qld(2), SA, Vic, W1 p C1/2(b) 1N# S P1/2^/4^ B/C WA(1), NT s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Rubus fruticosus NSW(1), Vic(1), Qld, Tas, W2/3 m C3 3* D C10 P1^/2^/4^ D SA(2),, WA(1), ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(2)
24 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Species Declared noxious NSW Qld SA Tas Vic WA ACT NT where? Salix spp. except S. babylonica, S. X NSW(2), Qld(2), SA(2), W4g S C1 11+ D Prohib D calodendron and S. X reichardtii Tas(2), WA, ACT(2) s54(1) Salvinia molesta NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, W1/2 C2 1N# D S P1/2 D A/B/C WA, ACT, NT(1) s54(1) s52(1) s57(1) Tamarix aphylla Qld, SA, Tas, WA, NT C3 11+ D Prohib B^/C s54(1) Ulex europaeus NSW(1), Qld, SA, Tas, W2 p C1 2@ D P2 C8 P1/2^/3^ D Vic(1), WA(1), ACT s54(1) s52(1) s57(2)
Sources: Australian Weeds Committee. 2004. Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories, Version 10.00 [Web: www.weeds.org.au/docs/weednet6.pdf] ; SA Animal and Plant (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 25 Appendix 3: Averaged State and Territory Controls on All General Classes of Invasive Plants of National Importance
Prohibited for Prohibited for Subject to Subject to Sale in Import into Eradication in Control in State/Territory* State/Territory* State/Territory* State/Territory* New South Wales Alert List 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 11.8% 11.8% 11.8% 0.0% Eradication -Agricultural 34.6% 34.6% 34.6% 3.8% NAQS 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 0.0% WONS 55.0% 35.0% 60.0% 35.0% Averaged Total 26.3% 22.3% 27.3% 7.8% Queensland Alert List 28.6% 28.6% 28.6% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 14.7% 14.7% 14.7% 0.0% Eradication -Agricultural 34.6% 34.6% 30.8% 3.8% NAQS 29.3% 29.3% 29.3% 0.0% WONS 100.0% 100.0% 45.0% 45.0% Averaged Total 41.4% 41.4% 29.7% 9.8% South Australia Alert List 17.9% 17.9% 17.9% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 17.6% 14.7% 5.9% 11.8% Eradication -Agricultural 26.9% 23.1% 26.9% 3.8% NAQS 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 0.0% WONS 100.0% 40.0% 35.0% 25.0% Averaged Total 33.0% 19.6% 17.6% 8.1% Tasmania Alert List 17.9% 17.9% 0.0% 17.9% Eradication – Natural 2.9% 2.9% 0.0% 2.9% Eradication -Agricultural 34.6% 34.6% 0.0% 34.6% NAQS 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% 0.0% WONS 60.0% 60.0% 0.0% 60.0% Averaged Total 24.5% 24.5% 1.5% 23.1% Victoria Alert List 17.9% 17.9% 17.9% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 11.8% 11.8% 11.8% 0.0% Eradication -Agricultural 30.8% 30.8% 30.8% 0.0% NAQS 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 0.0% WONS 40.0% 40.0% 35.0% 20.0% Averaged Total 20.6% 20.6% 19.6% 4.0% Western Australia Alert List 25.0% 42.9% 25.0% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 14.7% 38.2% 14.7% 0.0% Eradication -Agricultural 30.8% 73.1% 23.1% 7.7% NAQS 4.9% 29.3% 4.9% 0.0% WONS 55.0% 95.0% 10.0% 0.0% Averaged Total 26.1% 55.7% 15.5% 1.5% Australian Capital Territory Alert List 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 21.4% Eradication – Natural 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 8.8% Eradication -Agricultural 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 15.4% NAQS 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% WONS 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 45.0% Averaged Total 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 18.1% Northern Territory Alert List 14.3% 14.3% 7.1% 0.0% Eradication – Natural 5.9% 5.9% 2.9% 0.0% Eradication -Agricultural 3.8% 3.8% 0.0% 0.0% NAQS 2.4% 2.4% 0.0% 0.0% WONS 55.0% 55.0% 30.0% 30.0% Averaged Total 16.3% 16.3% 8.0% 6.0%
Note: * Average across all classes of invasive plants of national importance
The key findings are:
• There is a high degree of variability in State and Territory legal controls to invasive plants. • On average, Queensland has the strongest preventative legal measures (controls on sale and importation) in place though still only averaged 41.4%. • By far, the State or Territory with the weakest preventative legal controls in place is the Australian Capital Territory. • In terms of controls on sale, the best performing State is Queensland, followed by South Australia with an average of 33.0%, then followed by the cluster of New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania and further down, Victoria. • In terms of controls on importation, Western Australia is the best performing State • On average, the best performing State is Western Australia, which prohibits the importation of over half of the Invasive Plants of National Importance into their State.
These findings lead to the conclusion that States and Territories with relatively weaker legislative controls need to amend or enact new legislation to strengthen the overall preventative response to invasive plants, in particular, the Australian Capital Territory. At a national level, far stronger legal controls are needed to prevent the sale and importation of Invasive Plants of National Importance.
26 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report 27 Bibliography
Australian Weeds Committee. 2004. Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories, Version 10.00 [Web: www.weeds.org.au/docs/weednet6.pdf]
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry. Nd. Target lists of weeds, insects, plant and animal pests and diseases / Quarantine in Northern Australia [Web: www.affa.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=D2C48F86-BA1A-11A1-A2200060A1B01784]
Department of Agriculture, Western Australia. 2003 Declared Plants List [Web: http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/dec_pl/declaredplants.htm]
Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania. 2003.Weed Management Act 1999 - Declared Weeds List – Tasmania [Web: www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5JQ6DX?open]
Department of the Environment and Heritage. Nd. Weeds on the National Environmental Alert List [Web: www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/alert-list.html]
Department of the Environment and Heritage. Nd. Weeds of National Significance (WONS) [Web: www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/wons.html]
Groves R.H. (Convenor), J.R. Hosking, G.N. Batianoff, D.A. Cooke, I.D. Cowie, R.W. Johnson, G.J. Keighery, B.J. Lepschi, A.A. Mitchell, M. Moerkerk, R.P. Randall, A.C. Rozefelds, N.G. Walsh and B.M. Waterhouse. 2003. Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry / Bureau of Rural Sciences / Department of the Environment and Heritage, pp. 7-10
NSW Agriculture. Nd. Noxious Weeds in NSW - Weeds prohibited from sale in NSW [Web: www.agric.nsw.gov.au/noxweed/?MIval=weed-main.html&find=prohib]
Queensland Government, Natural Resources and Mines. 2003. Declared Plants of Queensland [Web: www.nrm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/pest/PP1.pdf]
Queensland Government. Subordinate Legislation 2003 No 117 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003 [Web: www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/legislation/pdf/Regulation_2003.pdf]
Randall R. 2001. Garden thugs, a national list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants Agriculture Western Australia and CRC for Weed Management Systems, WA, Australia Plant Protection Quarterly Vol.16, No. 4. pp. 138-171
Swarbrick, J.T. and Skarratt, D.B. 1994. The Bushweed 2. Database of Environmental Weeds in Australia. University of Queensland, Gatton College Queensland.
Turnbull, K. 1998. Declared noxious weeds. Landcare notes, Research Institute, Frankston, State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
28 Invasive Plants of National Importance and their Legal Status by State and Territory – A WWF Australia Report