National tropical weeds eradication program

Target species

The program currently targets these species in North Queensland and New South Wales:

• limnocharis (limnocharis flava)
• miconia (miconia calvescens, miconia nervosa, miconia racemosa)
• mikania vine (mikania micrantha).

These species could significantly impact agriculture and the environment in these regions. They could cause irreversible ecological damage to important rainforest regions. This includes the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in North Queensland and some northern parts of NSW.

Purpose and scope

The program has operated under the national emergency response arrangements since 2002. It’s managed under an arrangement like the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement. Costs are shared by the Australian, state and territory governments.

Under Queensland legislation, these weeds are classified as restricted matter. This means that it's a serious offence to move, give away, sell or release any of these species into the environment. It is a serious offence to keep any of these species, and this includes cultivating plants in the backyard.

Working with the community

We conduct extensive surveillance and control activities across tenure, including national parks and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, to eradicate these species. The program aims to survey over 7500 hectares per annum to ensure eradication objectives are met (stopping seed production, extirpating the seedbank).

Any detections of these species are controlled predominantly by hand removal or other methods. For more information, refer to the specific species.

If you receive a notice from Biosecurity Queensland to survey your property, you can contact us for more information.

Report

All sightings must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.