qld.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries

The Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) provides powers and flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to animal and plant diseases and pests.

Chapter 3 of the Act provides for matters relating to local governments. Under the Act, the main function of each local government is to manage invasive plants and animals in their local government area.

The Act provides response tools and associated powers to address the unique nature and tactical challenges presented by individual biosecurity threats.

Invasive biosecurity matter for a local government area

Each local government must ensure that management of invasive biosecurity matter within their local government area complies with the Act (see section 48).

Invasive biosecurity matter includes:

  • prohibited matter prescribed by regulation as invasive biosecurity matter
  • prohibited matter declared as invasive biosecurity matter under an emergency prohibited matter declaration
  • restricted matter prescribed by regulation as invasive biosecurity matter
  • any other invasive plants and animals that
    • are provided for under local government local law
      and
    • in the opinion of the Chief Executive of the Department of Primary Industries, satisfy the criteria for local invasive biosecurity matter.

Invasive plants and animals

These are plant and animal species that have, or are likely to have, an adverse impact in an area because of their:

  • introduction
  • spread
    or
  • increase in population size.

Invasive plants are often called 'weeds', and invasive animals are sometimes called 'pest animals'.

How to include a local law species as invasive biosecurity matter

A local government can apply for a local law–declared species to be included as invasive biosecurity matter.

To do this, email invasives@dpi.qld.gov.au, including the:

  • species name
  • details of the declaration of the invasive species under local law
  • distribution of the species in the local government area
  • adverse effects or potential adverse effects of the species if restrictions under this Act to reduce, control or contain it are not imposed.

This information will enable the department's Chief Executive to determine whether the species meets the criteria for local invasive biosecurity matter outlined in section 48(2) of the Act.

Local invasive biosecurity matter approved under section 48(1)(d) of the Act

Douglas Shire Council

Species approved on 16 October 2026:

Gladstone Regional Council

Species approved on 28 July 2025:

Rockhampton Regional Council

Species approved on 23 July 2025:

  • Castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis)
  • Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
  • Feral leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)
  • Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis)
  • Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum)
  • Mexican poppy (Argemone ochroleuca)
  • Sisal (Agave vivipara var. vivipara and ‘Marginata’)
  • Sisal/sisal hemp (Agave sisalana)
  • Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta spp.)
  • Wild sisal (Furcraea selloa)

The general biosecurity obligation and local government

Local governments, like everyone else, must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise biosecurity risks posed by their activities. This is known as a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).

Biosecurity plans for local government areas

Each local government must have a biosecurity plan for invasive biosecurity matter within its local government area. Local governments and their communities are best placed to manage these invasive species in their areas.

A biosecurity plan may include:

  • achievable objectives
  • strategies, activities and responsibilities for achieving these objectives
  • strategies to inform the local community about
    • the content of the plan
    • achievement of its objectives
  • processes for
    • monitoring implementation of the plan
    • evaluating the plan's effectiveness
  • other matters relevant to managing invasive biosecurity matter in the local government area.

Two or more local governments can work on a plan and implement the activities jointly. Biosecurity plans should be reviewed regularly; however, local governments can decide when they do this.

We can provide information about developing biosecurity plans. Best practice for developing biosecurity plans includes:

  • involving and consulting with the local community and industry
  • consulting with our department and other Queensland Government agencies that have land management responsibilities.

Biosecurity programs

A local government can authorise a biosecurity program for the local government area. Biosecurity programs allow local governments to proactively identify and manage invasive plants and animals.

The program authorisation must detail the:

  • relevant biosecurity matter
  • purpose of the program
  • area the program applies to
  • powers of authorised officers
  • obligations of a person impacted by the program
  • time period for the program.

For example, a surveillance program may be authorised to:

  • monitor compliance with the Act
  • confirm the presence, or determine the extent of the presence, of an invasive species
  • monitor the effects of measures taken in response to a biosecurity risk
  • confirm the absence of an invasive species.

A prevention and control program may be authorised to:

  • prevent the entry, establishment or spread of an invasive species in an area
  • manage, control or eradicate an invasive species to reduce a significant biosecurity risk.

Powers under the Act

Authorised person

A local government's chief executive officer can appoint an authorised person. This gives the person powers of entry to:

  • check compliance with the Act
  • take action under a biosecurity program.

In exercising their powers, the authorised person is subject to the directions of the chief executive officer.

Compliance

Local governments can promote compliance with the law in a few ways, including:

  • increasing awareness of invasive species
  • issuing specific biosecurity orders where a community member has failed to discharge their GBO
  • issuing fines
  • initiating prosecutions or injunctions.

Last updated: 22 Oct 2026