Control and management​

The City controls weeds as outlined in the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and the Weeds Of National Significance agreement as well as controlling additional weed species to preserve amenity and environmental values.

Whilst the City would prefer not to spray herbicide, sometimes there is a need to, and in these instances, we use herbicides with low or no toxicity. The City also encourages the community to assist with weed control, especially in local natural areas. 

Plants Out of Place: Managing Weeds in Perth's Eastern Region is a resource that helps identify some of the most threatening weeds in the Perth Hills and provides practical methods to control them, supporting the protection of our local environment.

The City controls weeds and carries out revegetation to eradicate invasive species and has a full time Bush Care Officer who undertakes on-ground weed control activities as well as providing valuable technical advice and on ground assistance to the many Friends Groups in the City.

The method of weed control varies with the species being targeted and the amount of resources available. Integrated weed management through a long-term approach and using several techniques is best.

Control methods include:

• Physical – hay making, mowing, grazing, mulching, tiling, burning, hand removal
• Chemical – using herbicides via foliar spraying, basal bark spraying, stem injection, cut stump application, cut and swab method, stump scrape or wick application
• Cultural – practices to suppress weed growth and production, while promoting the development of the desired plant. This is usually used in farming systems, but some elements are relevant to landscape and bushcare practices

Private Properties

Prior to undertaking weed control, it is important to properly identify the species.

View some references and plant alternatives to assist in identification of weeds here.

It is a good idea to establish a field herbarium (i.e. a collection of pressed plants) of weed species as an ongoing reference. 

An integrated weed management plan or strategy reduces the chance that weed species will adapt to the control techniques and will consider the most economical and effective control of the weeds and include ecological considerations. It will work to reduce the extent of weeds and reduce the weed seed stock in the soil without degrading native ecology or agricultural potential.

Before using chemical control, please make sure the weed is identified correctly, an appropriate product is chosen, and this applied at the correct application rate using the safety measures recommended.

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