Weed control and identification

All residents have a general biosecurity obligation to control weeds on their land. This is under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014.

Join the battle against these invasive plants. Learn to identify weed species and manage weeds on your property.

Reporting weeds on Council land

Council manages weeds on Council properties, reserves and waterways across Moreton Bay. If you identify any weed species on Council land, report them to Council.

Identifying weeds in Moreton Bay

Each invasive plant species is classed as high-risk, medium-risk, low-risk or non-restricted. Each risk level has different steps to follow if found on your property.

In Council's Biosecurity Plan 2025-2030(PDF, 3MB), the following weeds are allocated a management intent category:

high-risk: eradication or working towards eradication
medium-risk: containment
low-risk: asset protection, targeted or localised.

High-risk

High-risk weeds, such as Siam weed, Peruvian primrose, cha-om and parthenium, are not commonly present in Moreton Bay. They are a serious risk to primary industries, the natural environment, livestock and human health. By law, you must keep your land free of high-risk weeds. You must report any suspected sightings to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Medium-risk

Medium-risk weeds include sagittaria, water hyacinth and fireweed. You must control medium-risk weeds on your property.

Low-risk

You must control low-risk weeds if your property is next to an environmentally significant area. Some examples of low-risk weeds are lantana, camphor laurel and Madeira vine.

Non-restricted

Non-restricted invasive weeds are not subject to legislation or restrictions. Landowners should still control non-declared weeds on their property to reduce their impact on communities and ecosystems.

You must not introduce, supply, release or sell any invasive weed plants without a permit. Penalties apply.

View our guides for weeds in each risk class found in Moreton Bay to help you identify weeds by photo.

High-risk weeds guide

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) - Image courtesy of Biosecurity Queensland

Further information

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata)
Peruvian primrose (Ludwigia peruviana)
Cha-om (Senegalia pennata spp)
Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus)

Medium-risk weeds guide

Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

Further information

Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
Amazon frogbit (Limnobium taevigatum)
Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana)
Fireweed (Scientific nameSenecio madagascariensis)
Giant Parramatta grass (Sporobolus fertilis)
Giant rat's tail grass (Sporobolus pyramidalis, S. natalensis)
Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia)
Hygrophila (Hygrophila costata)
Hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis)
Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum)
Mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum delagoense (syn. B. tubiflorum and Kalanchoe delagoensis), B. x houghtonii (syn. B. daigremontianum x B. delagoense, K. x houghtonii))
Prickly pear (Opuntia spp. other than O. ficus-indica)
Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora)
Sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla)
Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
Senegal tea (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides)
Blue Thunbergia (Thunbergia grandiflora (syn. Thunbergia laurifolia))
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Willow (Salix spp.)