Weed management programs
Plant policies
The plant policies are adopted by the Minister for Environment and Water for the management of plants declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and for some plants that are not declared.
Policies are reviewed periodically in consultation with regional Landscape boards. You can provide input through these boards.
View plant policies for declared and undeclared plants.
Projects
Flood recovery pests and weeds >
In response to the major flooding event that affected parts of the Eyre Peninsula and Arid Lands in early 2022,...
Minimising losses from weeds in broadacre crops and permanent pasture >
April 2021 to April 2023In permanent pasture, palatable plants are grazed preferentially, promoting growth of unpalatable invasive grasses. Actions include:...
Control programs
Buffel grass
Buffel grass
Plans for specific weeds have been prepared to guide coordinated management programs:
Cropping and pasture weeds
Cropping and pasture weeds
The Cropping and Pasture Weeds program is targetting:
- African lovegrass in the Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula, and Murraylands and Riverland
- Chilean needle grass in the Hills and Fleurieu.
Demonstration sites and workshops are helping landholders to manage priority weeds that threaten their farming system. Targeted landholder assistance is reducing existing infestations.
This program is co-funded by the Australian Government, the Government of South Australia, and regional Landscape Boards.
Opuntioid cacti
Opuntioid cacti
Opuntioid cacti are major weed threats to South Australia’s livestock industry, and environment. The Managing Opuntioid Cacti in Australia manual provides best practice information for managing these pests.
- Managing Opuntioid Cacti in Australia manual ()
- Opuntioid Cacti Management Guide () - 12 page summary of the manual.
- State Opuntioid Cacti Management Plan ().
Silverleaf nightshade
Silverleaf nightshade
Silverleaf nightshade is a deep-rooted perennial weed threatening crops and pastures in this state, and also a Weed of National Significance.
Wheel cactus and African boxthorn
Wheel cactus and African boxthorn
Wheel cactus and African boxthorn control and demo site
A Wheel cactus and African boxthorn trial and demonstration site was established in the Mid-North of South Australia to compare the effectiveness of aerial and mechanical control of African boxthorn, and to demonstrate various traditional chemical treatments for both species.
African boxthorn control program in 2019
In 2019 a total of 5,260 African boxthorn were controlled over an area of 3,215 hectares. This is the largest coordinated control program for this species in South Australian arid rangelands.
This project was delivered through a partnership between private landholders, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and PIRSA Biosecurity SA. The project was partly funded through the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.
Read the Eastern Plains Boxthorn Control Trial and Demonstration report ().
Weeds of National Significance
Weeds of National Significance are Australia’s most invasive plants that have proven social, economic and environmental impacts that require national action to manage. There are national programs and strategies for these weeds.
See Controlling declared weeds in SA to find out what to do.