NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has encouraged rural communities to be on the lookout for new parthenium weed germinations following recent rain.
NSW DPIRD State Priority Weeds coordinator, Bill Davidson, said it will be easier to spot the distinctive parthenium weed plants, which can flower as early as three weeks after germination, in areas which have bare soil and sparse ground cover.
"With bare ground and warm soil temperatures for this time of year, small weed seeds such as parthenium have ideal conditions to germinate," Mr Davidson said.
"Local council biosecurity officers across the state are on high alert following the rain with some new germinations already found in known infested areas in Moree, Gunnedah and Walgett, which are actively managed to eradicate the weed.
"These sites are inspected regularly by council officers to ensure any new germinations are controlled before plants can set seed and spread to other areas.
"High-risk areas include the north of the state and warmer coastal areas, including Croppa Creek and other parts of north-west NSW, the North and Mid Coast, Hunter, Western and Central West.
"If you see plants you think are parthenium weed please contact your contact local council biosecurity officers or call the NSW Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244 and we will be able to identify the plant and send staff the manage the weeds."
NSW DPIRD advises people to take photographs and record the location of the suspect parthenium weed plants. Do not disturb the weeds or touch them as parthenium can cause severe breathing problems and rashes in people and health problems in livestock.
Mr Davidson said parthenium seed has been brought into NSW in stockfeed and on vehicles and machinery from infested areas in Queensland.
"The most likely areas to find parthenium are in areas where livestock, including poultry, have been fed grain or hay, where earthworks have taken place and grain crops have been harvested by a contractor," he said.
The NSW Government supports management of parthenium through its Weeds Action Program, which funds local control authorities, including councils, to ensure this high-risk prohibited matter species does not invade NSW.
Visit the NSW WeedWise site to find out what to look for, https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weed/PartheniumWeed
