Weeds and landowner responsibilities

Have a friendly chat with your neighbour about how you can work together to control weeds. If neighbourly negotiation is not possible, Agriculture Victoria has the authority to enforce weed control legislation. Call 136 186 for advice.

Please note, local government has no enforcement powers with respect to noxious weed control on private property.

Residents should not undertake weed control on roadsides unless they have an approved Permit for Environmental Works. Roadsides are considered public land and often contain native plants, wildlife habitat, and important infrastructure such as drainage.

Unauthorised clearing or spraying can damage native vegetation, disturb wildlife, or create safety risks for the public.

It is illegal to transport noxious weed material without taking precautions to prevent the spread of seeds or weed fragments. Vehicles, trailers, and equipment should be cleaned before moving weed material.

Before taking weeds to a Council resource recovery centre, contact them to confirm whether the green waste will be accepted, as some facilities do not take noxious weeds.

In some cases, depending on fire regulations and other restrictions, you may be permitted to burn off noxious weeds on your property. Always check local rules and safety requirements before burning.

Being proactive with weed control helps protect your property and the local environment. Council has a list of contractors(PDF, 112KB) who can help landowners manage weeds in the Macedon Ranges. This list is provided for your information only and we do not recommend one contractor over another.

Using a contractor can be helpful because:

• They can offer a cost-effective way to manage weeds.
• They have experience with many different weed species and control methods.
• They can give advice to new landowners about managing noxious weeds.
• They can handle large areas that may be difficult to manage yourself.
• They can help restore sites and reduce problems like soil erosion.

If you want to avoid using chemicals, consider taking a more holistic approach to weed management. This means understanding why certain weeds show up on your property and using organic methods to help prevent their spread. These can include:

• Cleaning equipment, tools, vehicles, shoes or clothing that may carry seeds
• Keeping soil, mulch or plant material from known weedy areas separate
• Regular mowing, hand-pulling or pruning
• Designing garden beds, paths and irrigation in ways that make it harder for weeds to establish
• Checking your property often so you can remove new weeds early

Your local Landcare or Friends group may also be able to offer practical advice and support with organic weed control.

If you choose to use some chemical treatments, look for options with the least impact on the environment and apply them at the right time to stop weeds from setting seed.

If you plan to use herbicides or other chemicals to manage weeds on your property, you must take steps to protect people, pets, wildlife and the environment. You also have legal responsibilities, including holding the right permits or qualifications and keeping accurate records of the chemicals you use.

A good weed management plan should gradually reduce your reliance on herbicides and introduce more organic or low-impact methods over time.

Choosing herbicide

The Public Chemical Registration Information System database can help you find chemicals registered for use in Australia. It includes product names, active ingredients, manufacturers and approved uses.

When choosing a herbicide, think about:

• whether you are targeting all vegetation or only specific weeds
• how the chemical works on the weed
• how long it stays active in soil or water

Before starting any chemical weed control, you can start your research on Agriculture Victoria’s Chemicals webpage.

Chemical user certificates

If you use restricted chemicals, you must have a valid Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) or work under the direct supervision of someone who holds one. An ACUP is also needed to buy restricted supply chemicals. 

Keeping chemical records

You must keep records of any agricultural chemicals you use. Agriculture Victoria provides guidance and templates to help you meet these requirements. 

Risk of poisoning native wildlife

Herbicides can harm wildlife if they eat weeds that have recently been sprayed. Avoid using herbicide when weeds are flowering, seeding or holding fruit, as native birds and animals may eat these parts of the weed. Small birds like finches, as well as insects and other wildlife, can be poisoned if they consume contaminated seeds or fruit.

Whenever possible, time your weed control for early growth stages, before flowers or seeds form, and always follow the label instructions to reduce risks to wildlife.