Controlling weeds

Pest plants can pose significant threat to agriculture, the natural environment and public health and safety on Kangaroo Island.

Land owners have a legal responsibility to manage weeds, and there are many different methods of dealing with them. Good land management and gardening practices applied throughout the year can prevent new weed introductions and reduce further damage and spread.

The Landscape South Australia Act 2019sets out the legal framework for:

banning the sale of declared weeds
controlling the movement of declared weeds
destroying or controlling infestations of declared weeds
notifying authorities when an infestation is detected.

More information can be found in Declared plants of South Australia – are they on your land?

Hints and tips

To help prevent spread of weeds in agricultural settings:

confine stock to one paddock for a week after purchase
clean all farm machinery before removing it from or bringing it on to your property
make sure you know where your produce is coming from and that it is clean
look for new weeds along grain trails and at stock campsites.

To learn more about how to reduce the spread of weeds and prevent the establishment of new weed species in the region and state, download the Livestock management guidelines and Fodder management guidelines.

In the garden:

be knowledgeable about weeds and learn to recognise them
be aware of what you buy and take cuttings from – some weeds are very pretty but can be very damaging
check the Coastal Gardens planting guide or the KI Native Plant Nursery for alternatives to potential weeds
never dump lawn clipping and garden waste into bushland
inform others if they have potential weeds in their gardens.

Reference the Weeds of Kangaroo Island - A Management Guide for Landholders to learn more.

Weed advice

Control options for weeds will depend on the species of plant, their different growth characteristics and whether they are annual, biennial or perennial. If you are not sure what weeds you have or how to control them, please contact the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, phone 08 8553 2476, or email, for advice.

You can also find plenty of useful information and advice on how to identify, treat or control weed through the Weed Control Handbook, which is updated annually, or by downloading the SA Weed Control app for you smart phone.