Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu).
Photo: Biosecurity Queensland.

What is the Weed Spotter Queensland Network?

Prevention and early intervention are the most cost effective means of dealing with potential, new and emerging weeds in Queensland. The aim of the Weed Spotters Queensland Network is to find, identify and document those new occurrences of potential weeds at an early stage so that preventative actions can be taken. It seeks to continue a community-based weed alert system in Queensland, based on the model developed by the previous Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management. The cost of weeds to Australian agriculture now exceeds $4 billion per year. No estimate has been made of the cost of weeds to the environment.

Why we need your weed specimens

There are currently 1,215 naturalised plant species in Queensland. More than 10% of these are declared and others are declared under local government laws. Weed Spotter specimen vouchers provide verified point data on where weeds occur and how far and how quickly they are extending their range. This information is crucial in developing early response to new incursions and ongoing strategies for controlling and containing established weeds.

Weed Spotter key participants

Key participants are the Weed Spotters, the Regional Coordinators and the Weed Spotter Project Officer, along with officers within Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, and regional Natural Resource Management groups.

Weed Spotters report, collect, identify and deliver specimens of potential, new and emerging weeds in their region. These people can be landholders, gardeners or members of groups such as Landcare, Bushcare, SGAP (Society for Growing Australian Plants), along with Commonwealth, State and Local Government officers, industry representatives, and anyone else interested in weeds and plants.

Regional Coordinators assist with the identification and filtering of a Weed Spotter's specimens and pass them onto the Queensland Herbarium. They also provide feedback to the weed spotters in that region about new and emerging weeds found, and assist with training, resources, and accessing Government information.

Limnocharis flava. Photo: Biosecurity Queensland

The Weed Spotter Project Officer coordinates the network across Queensland, provides training and raises awareness of weed issues through a quarterly newsletter, media releases, website and publications.

The Queensland Herbarium identifies and verifies weed specimens, incorporates some of them into the Herbarium collections, and enters the label information into databases (HERBRECS and Wildnet). The Herbarium also notifies Biosecurity Queensland and other government officers in the region of any new naturalisations or new occurrences of declared weeds and any potential new and emerging weed species.

Biosecurity Queensland (QDPI&F) provides leadership and support for invasive plants and animal management in Queensland and beyond through the development of policy, legislation, pest risk assessments, research, state wide coordination of pest programs, and communication and education awareness programs.

Local Councils work in partnership with other agencies to implement Local Government Area Pest Management Plans, and provide information on weeds in their local area.

Landholders in Queensland have a responsibility to manage declared weeds on their properties, and are encouraged to be on the lookout for new weeds.

Nassella tenuissima (Mexican feather grass).
Photo: Biosecurity Queensland.

New discoveries

Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), was first discovered in Queensland in October 2008. The early detection of this Class 1 weed has no doubt saved Queensland millions of dollars. Specimens were accurately identified by the Queensland Herbarium and Biosecurity Queensland (DPI&F) officers took immediate action. Check the warning brochure for more information on how to spot this weed.

How to be involved in weed detection

To register your or a group's interest in Weed Spotters Queensland please contact the Weed Spotters Queensland Project Officer:
Kathy Stephens
Tel: (07) 3896 9624
Mobile: 0428 756 620
Email: Kathy.Stephens@epa.qld.gov.au

Weed Spotter training and resources

Training in weed recognition and plant collecting techniques are provided, and a quarterly newsletter is distributed to raise awareness of emerging weeds and to keep everyone up-to-date on activities.

Weed Spotters Queensland Network

What is the Weed Spotter Queensland Network?

Why we need your weed specimens

Weed Spotter key participants

New discoveries

How to be involved in weed detection

Weed Spotter training and resources

Weed Spotter newsletter

Useful links

Queensland Herbarium

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