Hunter Local Land Services are urging locals to be on the lookout for a deceptively attractive, but noxious weed which has been found near Cessnock.
The weed is a floating freshwater plant from South America and is a serious biosecurity threat, as it can rapidly invade and smother waterways. It is a prohibited matter in NSW, the highest class a weed can be under the NSW Biosecurity Act.
Hunter Regional Weeds Coordinator Matt Kennedy says in a good setting, Frogbit can spread rapidly, reproduces very quickly and can take over a whole dam.
"It spreads via seed and plant material and has multiple ways of reproduction which just increases its ability to be invasive. It can be carried to other water ways by animals, clogging up whole creek systems, dams which can have a really detrimental impact on the water flow and anything that relies on it," Mr Kennedy said.
MidCoast Council have controlled three infestations of Frogbit since 2017 when the weed appeared at Greenpoint. These three sites are actively monitored, but no new plants have been discovered since specialised treatment of the area.
Mr Kennedy says ongoing surveillance will be undertaken around the site of the Cessnock infestation for at least the next three years.
"Neighbouring councils have been notified and their teams are on notice to keep a look out for the weed downstream and on the Hunter River, with some targeted inspections underway.
"We're asking the community to be vigilant as well, all residents of the Hunter Region are asked to play their part in safeguard our waterways," Mr Kennedy said.
Anyone who suspects a Frogbit infestation is being urged to take photo's of the weed and forward them onto their local Biosecurity Weeds officer. Local contacts can be found online here.
 |
| Pictured: Frogbit Weed choking a local waterway. |
