Weeds cost Queensland an estimated $600 million annually and have significant impacts on primary industries, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health. The purpose of managing invasive species is to prevent new introductions and limit these negative impacts.

Council has worked with government and non-government agencies as well as local land management groups to identify the major pest plants affecting the Burdekin. The plants have been categorised as High and Medium priority in the Burdekin Shire Council's Biosecurity Plan.

Control Methods

Council uses a variety of methods to control weeds including:

Mechanical Control

Mechanical control is the use of powered tools and machinery to manage weeds and is best suited to larger infestations. Care should be taken to minimise soil disturbance.

Manual Control

Manual control is the use of the hands or handheld tools to deal with weeds. An advantage of manual control is that it minimises soil disturbance and decreases the likelihood of erosion and weed seed germination.

Biological Control

Biological control involves the use of insects or pathogens (diseases) that affect the health of the weed. Usually, these biocontrol agents are from the same country of origin as the weed species.

Council currently uses weevils to assist in controlling Salvinia in our waterways, has trialled the use of UU moths for Parkinsonia control and stem-galling fly for Siam weed control.

Biosecurity Queensland undertakes biological weed control research in Queensland. Strict measures are in place to ensure that these agents do not negatively affect native plants and animals or horticultural and agricultural crops.

Chemical Control

Chemical control of weeds involves the use of herbicides. Herbicides control weeds either by speeding up, stopping, or changing the weed’s normal growth patterns. This affects the weed by drying out the leaves or stems, or by making it drop its leaves. Also see Council's website on subsidies and equipment offered for pest plant control.

Please refer to the Council's Services and Subsidies web page for information on programs Council provides to assist landholders with the control of weeds.

Program for Aquatic Weeds

Council and landholders participate in a unique program where weeds in waterways are managed via a co-contribution model.  The Riparian Management Agreements (RMA) were established between Council and landholders to be proactive in managing water weeds.  Both parties, together with NQ Dry Tropics, contribute financially to the program with Council undertaking weed control using a variety of methods including:

• Using a Quickspray unit for edge spraying
• Boat spraying with a boom
• Aerial spray with helicopter or drone
• Weed removal using the weed harvester
• Biological control eg Salvinia weevils
• Using booms to prevent spread downstream

The waterways currently part of an RMA include:

• Saltwater Creek
• Sheepstation Creek
• Lilliesmere and Kalamia Lagoons
• Healy’s Lagoon
• Horseshoe Lagoon
• Collinson’s Lagoon
• Baratta’s Creek
• Irronbark Creek