Easter travellers urged to check for stowaways to avoid weed spread

Increased travel, muddy conditions and off-road activity can unintentionally spread weed seeds across regions, with serious consequences for native vegetation, wildlife, agriculture and tourism.

“This is a case where prevention is far better than cure,” said SA Arid Lands Landscape Board General Manager Jodie Gregg-Smith.

“If we all clean our vehicles and equipment before hitting the road, we’re doing our bit to stop declared weeds from invading our unique, biodiversity-rich regions, our home gardens, our farms and the pastoral region in the north, where they can significantly impact productivity.”

Notorious hitchhikers

Many declared weeds are known to hitch a ride with unsuspecting holidaymakers by lodging in tyres, footwear, clothing and even pet fur, before spreading in new locations.

Buffel grass, khaki weed and caltrop are just a few of the declared weeds travellers should watch for this Easter. Their spiky and Velcro-like burrs stick fast and can quickly spread from high-traffic areas such as roadsides, caravan parks, football ovals and popular tourist sites. Anyone who has stepped on a thorny caltrop burr or seen their child’s bike tyre deflate mid-ride can relate to the frustration – and pain - caused by prickly weeds.

Yet these weeds can cause even bigger problems – fuelling bushfires that burn hotter, spread faster, and put people, homes and wildlife at risk. 

Buffel grass remains one of the highest priority weed threats across South Australia due to its ability to rapidly transform landscapes. It can germinate and set seed within six weeks, outcompeting native plants, reducing habitat for wildlife, and creating highly flammable fuel loads.

Travellers coming from buffel-infested regions — such as parts of the state’s north — are urged to thoroughly clean vehicles, trailers, motorbikes and camping gear before entering new areas.

“If you’ve been riding motorbikes through bush areas or travelling on unsealed roads, cleaning down your vehicle can make a real difference in stopping buffel grass and other weeds from spreading,” said Ms Gregg-Smith. 

Mud equals movement

Vehicle owners are also encouraged to clean mud from their vehicles after driving in wet conditions. Weed seeds stick to mud, so it is recommended that drivers pull over to a safe area and remove any mud stuck to the vehicle, leaving as much of the potential weed seed where it was found. 

Mud is also known to spread soil-borne diseases, including Phytophthora dieback, which poses a serious threat to native plants and grapevines.

Kangaroo Island – a special case

Visitors to Kangaroo Island must take extra care with vehicle hygiene and think carefully about their cargo. The island’s remoteness has created a special environment, free from many of the pests and diseases found on mainland Australia. Every visit carries a risk of introducing new threats that could devastate local agriculture and biodiversity.

Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, the movement, sale or ownership of declared species on Kangaroo Island is prohibited, with penalties of up to $50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.

Some of the items that must not be brought onto Kangaroo Island include:

• Marine pests on boats
• Fresh fruit and vegetables from fruit fly outbreak areas
• Unwashed or dirty potatoes or seed potatoes
• Bees, honey products, beeswax and bee equipment
• Declared weeds, including garden plants such as gazania, olive, blackberry and arum lily
• Pest animals, including foxes, rabbits, deer, goats, pigs and ferrets.

Visit Kangaroo Island Landscape Board’s website for more details. 

Simple steps can stop the spread

Travellers this Easter can reduce the risk of spreading weed seeds by:

• Cleaning vehicles, bikes, trailers and equipment before and after trips
• Removing mud where it was picked up, when safe to do so
• Focusing on wheel arches, tyres, mud flaps and undercarriages
• Disposing of collected mud and debris in general waste
• Washing vehicles on gravel or bare surfaces 

Everyone has a role

If you spot a pest plant while travelling or in your community, report it to your local landscape board. Or to identify a potential declared weed, download the WeedScan app.

Sightings of pest animals such as feral pigs, goats, deer, foxes and rabbits can be reported through the FeralScan app.

“Whether you're heading to the coast, the river, the outback or an island, stopping the spread of weeds is about checking, cleaning and reporting,” Ms Gregg-Smith said.

“By taking biosecurity and vehicle cleaning seriously, travellers help safeguard the landscapes they love to visit.”