Controlling weeds and pest animals

Weeds and pest animals have a negative impact on our region. Successful pest management needs everyone to take action. Council supports landowners with managing weeds and pest animals on their properties.

See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding weeds and pest animals.

Also check out the Weeds and Pest animal pages on this website for more detailed information about how to identify and manage invasive species, and what services council has to support Gympie region landholders.

If this information does not answer your questions, please contact us to discuss management options on 1300 307 800.

Flood waters give weeds wings

During heavy rain and floods, seeds and plant parts of many invasive weed species can easily spread to new locations throughout the region.

It’s important to regularly check your property for any invasive weeds species – especially after a flood – so that you can stop the weeds before they become a bigger issue to manage.

Click on our fact sheets to learn more about the water-weeds and land-based weeds that we are particularly concerned about following our recent flood events.

FAQ - Weeds

  • Weed identification can be tricky. Try these helpful links:

  • The Queensland Government’s ‘invasive plant fact sheets’ are your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about your weed, including:

     

    ·         Legal requirements

    ·         Description

    ·         Life cycle

    ·         Methods of spread

    ·         Control methods, including registered herbicides, application methods and rates.

     

    Search for your weed (invasive plant) fact sheet here.

  • Landholders need to manage weeds on their property. Information on the weeds that must be controlled by law is provided here:

     

     

    Council’s biosecurity surveillance program is a region wide monitoring program for declared plant and animal species assessed as posing a high biosecurity risk (HBR) to the Gympie region.

     

    The managers of land that contain declared HBR species will be requested to take action to reduce the risk of these pest species spreading and causing impacts to other properties. Contact Council to report the presence of declared plants and animals that are affecting your land or activities.

     

    Our Lands Protection Officers can provide advice to landholders for the management of declared weeds and pest animals that are present on private property.

    You can also report weed and pest animal infestations by calling 1300 307 800.

     

  • There are lots of ways to manage weeds, including chemical, physical and biological control methods.

     

    The most successful weed control programs include a range of control methods and sustainable land use practices.

     

    ·         Herbicide application methods   

    ·         Physical control methods

    ·         Biological control methods   

    ·         Sustainable grazing and pasture management  

FAQ - Pest animal

  • PESTSMART is one of the best websites for pest animal information.

    It provides step-by-step guides on how to manage all Queensland’s top pests from cane toads to feral camels, and everything between.

     

     

     

  • Foxes and cats prey on many birds and small mammals. If they are making a meal of your poultry make sure your chicken house is predator proof. For more tips:

    • Check out European foxes on PESTSMART and work through the Management Framework:  
    • Visit PESTSMART to help manage feral cats. Control tips are under Manage within the Management Framework. 

  • Wild dogs prey on native animals, domestic livestock and pets. There are several actions you can take to protect animals from falling prey to wild dogs. This may include fencing, trapping, shooting, poison baiting, guard animals and aversion techniques.

    Lands Protection can provide advice about the best techniques for your situation.

    Learn more by visiting PESTSMART and reading the Manage tab under the Management Framework.

  • Feral pigs dig up crops, prey on lambs, damage fences and pasture, and wreak havoc in waterways. They are also a potential carrier of nasty, exotic diseases.

    Feral pigs can be tricky to manage, because they move around. To achieve the best results, work with your neighbours on your very own feral pig control plan.

    Click here for everything else you need to know about feral pigs. 

    Click here for your free community invasive action tool.  

  • Rabbits are Australia’s most destructive farming and environmental pest and will eat just about anything.

    To learn how to manage this pest view PESTSMART and read the Manage tab under the Management Framework heading.

  • Indian Mynas are aggressive and intelligent.

    They eat almost anything and kill native bird eggs and chicks. They displace native animals from tree hollows and are fast breeders, building up numbers very quickly.

    DO NOT

    • Feed wild birds in your back yard as this creates reliance for native species and supports Indian Mynas.
    • Leave pet food outside during the day. Indian Mynas will find it and establish in the area

    DO

    • Reduce bird access to stock and poultry feed areas.
    • Plant dense, thick native plants throughout your property. Indian Mynas prefer open grassed areas surrounded by large trees.
    • Scare Indian Mynas away from your backyard at every opportunity. It’s important to not make them feel welcome or comfortable.
    • Clear away any nesting material from gutters, roof eaves and tree hollows on a regular basis to discourage their nesting, but be sure it’s not a native bird nest first.

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