The City of Joondalup undertakes and promotes an integrated weed management approach to prevent, monitor, prioritise and control weeds.
City weed management
- Physical weed control: Physical weed control refers to the removal of weeds by physical or mechanical means, or by the suppression of growth, such as mowing, mulching, tilling or burning. The City undertakes a small amount of hand weeding. A substantial amount of hand weeding is conducted by Friends Groups volunteers who contribute significantly to weed control in natural areas within the City of Joondalup. Visit the Community Directory to find Friends Groups.
- Pesticide management: The City is committed to ensuring that pesticide use is justified, minimised and of the lowest toxicity to achieve the desired outcome in an effective and efficient manner, minimising potential harm to the community and the environment. Learn more about pesticide use.
- Chemical weed control: Chemical weed control is the use of selective and non-selective herbicides to affect the growth of the weed and cause it to die. The City implements a number of chemical weed control methods, including the use of glyphosate; a broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide effective for the control of annual and perennial weeds. The City utilises herbicides in accordance with permits, regulations and label instructions applicable to the specific herbicide. The City’s chemical use is guided by the Australian Government regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemical products, the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
- Steam and hot water weed control: The use of steam/hot water weed control is the application of hot water/steam to a weed causing it to die. The City uses steam and hot water weed control as part of the integrated weed management approach, particularly in sensitive locations and suitable hardstand treatment areas.
- Collaboration: The City is part of the Western Australian Local Government Association’s (WALGA’s) Local Government Integrated Weed Management Working Group.
Residential weed management
Weeds are a major threat to biodiversity conservation across Western Australia. Weeds compete with native plants for space, water and nutrients and can alter the vegetation in bushland reserves. The City encourages all residents to help control weeds on their properties.
To control weeds on your property:
- Be weedwise and learn about non-native species that might be in your garden, that can escape to bushland areas.
- Remove weeds before they seed.
- Report weed sightings on City or State Government managed land through MyPestGuide® Reporter. Listed Pest Plants in the City include Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides) and Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) can be reported to the City.
- Dispose of most weeds and other garden waste responsibly in your general waste or garden organics bin, or compost yourself at home. Some of the Declared Pest weeds found in the City, may have special control requirements, refer to the Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) for more information.
- Maintain your property so weeds do not re-establish themselves.
- Apply dense mulch (max of 50-75mm) and replant weeded areas with dense native groundcover plants to prevent weeds growing back.
- Avoid planting weeds in your garden and only plant native plants from your local area.
- Find suitable native plants that won’t harm your local environment. Refer to the Sustainable gardening page.
Pest Plant Amendment Local Law 2023
The City of Joondalup Pest Plant Amendment Local Law 2023, was published in the Government Gazette on Friday 19 April 2024 and came into effect on Friday 3 May 2024.
Both Golden Crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides), and Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) are now required to be destroyed, eradicated, or otherwise controlled by the owner or occupier of private land within the City of Joondalup.
Weed Management Plan 2023-33
The City’s Weed Management Plan details actions to prevent, monitor, prioritise and control the introduction and spread of weeds in the City of Joondalup.