National tropical weeds eradication program
The National tropical weeds eradication program protects World Heritage rainforest from invasive weeds.
Purpose and scope
The program surveys and removes invasive weeds from World Heritage rainforest in the wettest parts of Australia to preserve biodiversity in:
- tropical Far North Queensland
- subtropical New South Wales.
The program is managed by Biosecurity Queensland and funded by the Australian, state and territory governments.
When we protect these landscapes, we preserve wildlife that is unique to these areas, such as:
- some species of birds
- amphibians
- insects
- fungi
- flora
- mammals
- reptiles.
These plants and animals are called endemic species. Our field team photographs this native wildlife when searching for invasive weeds and the photos are publicly available in our program photo gallery.
Our targets
The program currently targets 5 species in Far North Queensland:
- limnocharis (limnocharis flava)
- miconia (miconia calvescens, miconia nervosa, miconia racemosa)
- mikania vine (mikania micrantha).
Under Queensland legislation, these weeds are classified as restricted plant matter. This means that it's a serious offence to move, keep, give away, sell or release any of these species into the environment.
Limnocharis, miconia calvescens and mikania vine are all serious weeds in other countries. Miconia nervosa and miconia racemosa have only shown invasive traits in Far North Queensland.
These weeds would harm Australian agriculture and the environment if left unmanaged in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
Working with community
Many of these weeds in Far North Queensland come from people's gardens and spread to surrounding native forests.
We conduct extensive surveillance and control activities across national parks and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to eradicate these species. The program works with local property owners and state collaborators to protect the substantial natural values of tropical rainforests and wetlands.
If you receive a notice from Biosecurity Queensland to survey your property, you can contact us online, by phone or in person for more information.
Report
Everyone has a responsibility to report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.
To report a suspected invasive tropical weed in your area, submit a report online or contact us online, by phone or in person.