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Priority invasive plants

Learn more about the region's invasive plants identified as priorities in our Biosecurity Plan.

Our Biosecurity Plan presents the priority invasive plants for the Sunshine Coast. These were determined by assessing all invasive species impacting or threatening our region. For each species several factors were considered such as:

  • if listed in the Biosecurity Act (the Act)
  • potential impacts
  • locations and how widespread
  • ease of spread
  • availability, effectiveness and cost of control measures.

To help focus weed management efforts and resources, each priority species has an identified management objective. Reasonable and practical measures to achieve each of these management objectives are included in the plan.

Priority invasive plants by management objective

Prevention

Prevention

These species are not currently found on the Sunshine Coast. If these species became established, they could result in significant impacts. It is important for land managers to prevent the entry and establishment of these species.

Species ‘Prohibited’ under the Act (must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland):

Species 'Restricted' under the Act (please report to Council):

Eradication

Eradication

These species are present in low numbers and found in only a few locations on the Sunshine Coast. However, if they spread further, they will cause significant impacts. Elimination of these species is achievable for land managers.

Species ‘Prohibited’ under the Act (must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland):

  • Cholla cactus (prohibited) - all Cylindropuntia spp. and hybrids (other than C.fulgida, C. imbricata, C. prolifera, C. rosea, C. spinosior and C. tunicata) 
  • Prickly pears (prohibited) - all Opuntia spp. (other than O. monacantha, O. aurantiaca, O. tomentosa, O. streptacantha, O. microdasys, O. elata, O. stricta and O. ficus-indica)

Species 'Restricted' under the Act (please report to Council):

Containment

Containment

These species are found in parts of the Sunshine Coast but not everywhere. Where they do occur, they cause notable impacts. Land managers should reduce the impact of these species and stop their spread across the landscape.

Species ‘Restricted’ under the Act:

Asset Protection

Asset Protection

These species occur across the whole of the Sunshine Coast. They cause some impacts where they occur. These species should be managed when they threaten or impact high-value assets. This may include important environmental, agriculture, or community areas.

Species ‘Restricted’ under the Act:

Alert

Alert

These species are not well established on the Sunshine Coast. They are not listed in the Act but can still cause impacts where they occur. It is recommended land managers take action to prevent entry of these species and control them if they are found.

  • Amazonian Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) 
  • Hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis) 
  • Yellow or Mexican waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana)

Locally Significant

Locally Significant

These species are often relatively widespread across the Sunshine Coast. They are not listed in the Act but can cause impacts where they occur. It is recommended land managers take action to control and prevent the spread of these species when they are impacting or threatening high value natural areas.  

Pest plant surveillance program

Council has resolved to conduct a biosecurity program - The Surveillance Program (PDF, 136KB) in accordance with section 235 of the Biosecurity Act 2014, within the whole of the Sunshine Coast region to educate, monitor or issue biosecurity orders in relation to invasive biosecurity matter (prohibited or restricted invasive plants).

Emphasis will be placed on inspecting the localities of Balmoral Ridge, Diamond Valley, Beerwah, Bells Creek, Crohamhurst, North Maleny, Flaxton, Dulong, Eerwah Vale, Verrierdale, Belli Park, Peachester, Montville, Obi Obi and Mapleton, Doonan, Eumundi, Kureelpa, Maleny, Mt Mellum, Reeseville.

Properties over 4000 square metres will be inspected in the above localities on a proactive basis. Individual properties also previously known to harbour invasive biosecurity matter (prohibited or restricted invasive plants) will be surveyed for ongoing compliance.

The biosecurity program commenced 12 September 2022 and will continue until 11 September 2025.

The purpose and scope for the program is:

  1. monitoring compliance with the Act in relation to a particular matter to which the Act applies
  2. confirming the presence, or finding out the extent of the presence, in the State or the parts of the State to which the program applies, of the biosecurity matter to which the program relates
  3. confirming the absence, in the State or the parts of the State to which the program applies, of the biosecurity matter to which the program relates
  4. monitoring the effects of measures taken in response to a biosecurity risk
  5. monitoring compliance with requirements about prohibited matter or restricted matter
  6. monitoring levels of biosecurity matter or levels of biosecurity matter in a carrier.

These inspections will be conducted on urban and rural properties within the Sunshine Coast.

A copy of the 12 September 2022 to 11 September 2025 program can be viewed in the minutes of council's Ordinary Meeting of 25 August 2022.

For more information please contact council.

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