What is a Declared Plant?
Pest plants targeted for control under state legislation are species that have, or
could have, serious economic, environmental or social impacts. How weeds are
classified can be confusing. At a national level 20 weeds have been listed as Weeds
of National Significance (WONS) to prioritise federal funding for weed control.
In Queensland, declaration under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route
Management) Act 2002 imposes a legal responsibility for control by all landholders.
Declared plants are listed under three different categories.
Class 1: is one that has the potential to become a serious pest in Queensland.
All landholders are required by law to keep their land free of Class 1 pests. It is a
serious offence to introduce, keep, release, or sell Class 1 pests without a permit.
Class 2: is one that has already spread over substantial areas of Queensland, but
its impact is so serious that it requires control to avoid further spread. By law, all
landholders must take reasonable action to keep their land free of Class 2 pests and
it is an offence to keep, sell or release these pests without a permit.
Class 3: is one that is commonly established in parts of Queensland and a
notice may be issued on a landholder to take reasonable action against the weed
if it is causing, or has the potential to cause an adverse impact, on a nearby
'environmentally significant area' such as a national park. It is an offence to sell,
introduce, release or supply a Class 3 pest.
Species not declared under Queensland legislation may still be declared at a local
government level under local laws.
Go to the weed control page to learn about different methods to control your weeds
See below for common weeds in our region
