Australia Yearbook - 2009-10

3.6 FARM EXPENDITURE ON NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT—2006–07
$m
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Weeds Pests Land and soil
Source: ABS, Natural Resource Management on Australian Farms, 2006–07 (4620.0).
3.7 WEEDS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Common name
State/territory weed found
Alligator Weed
ACT, NSW, Qld, Vic.
Athel Pine
NSW, Qld, NT, WA, SA, Vic.
Bitou
bush/Boneseed(a) NSW, Vic., Tas., SA, WA, Qld
Blackberry
ACT, NSW, Vic., Tas., SA, WA, Qld
Bridal Creeper
NSW, Vic., Tas., SA, WA, Qld
Cabomba
NT, NSW, Vic., Qld
Chilean Needle Grass
ACT, NSW, Vic., SA, Qld
Gorse
WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Vic., Tas.
Hymenachne
NT, Qld
Lantana
Qld, NSW, NT, SA, WA, Vic.
Mesquite
WA, NT, Qld, NSW, SA
Mimosa
NT, WA
Parkinsonia
NT, NSW, SA, WA, Qld
Parthenium weed
NT, Qld, NSW
Pond Apple
Qld
Prickly Acacia
Qld, SA, NT, WA
Rubber Vine
WA, Qld
Salvinia
NT, NSW, Vic. SA, WA, Qld
Serrated Tussock
ACT, NSW, Vic., Tas.
Willows(b)
Qld, NSW, ACT, Vic., Tas., SA
(a) For the purposes of this list, the two taxa are treated as
one.
(b) Willows except Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow and Sterile
Pussy Willow.
Source:
last viewed September, 2009.
Invasive species
An invasive species is a non-indigenous species
with an adverse impact on the habitats that it
invades. Invasive species threaten valued
environmental, agricultural or other social
resources through the damage they cause.
Invasive species include feral animals, marine
pests, weeds, non-native insects and other
invertebrates, and diseases and parasites. These
species can threaten native species, contribute to
land degradation and reduce agricultural
productivity.
The cost of weeds to Australian agriculture
(impact and control costs) has been estimated at
more than $3.4 billion (b) annually (Caring for
our Country, Business Plan 2009–2010). ABS
data for 2006–07 show that farmers spent $1.6 b
controlling and preventing weeds, which was
more than for pests ($768 million (m)) and land
and soil problems ($649 m) combined (see graph
3.6). Weed management activities also proved the
most time consuming with agricultural businesses
undertaking, on average, 31 person days of effort
on these activities. In comparison, 26 and 23 days
were spent on managing pests and land and soil
problems, respectively.
Weeds of National Significance is an agreed list of
20 problem weeds used as a guide for a
coordinated national effort for addressing weed
problems (see table 3.7). Selection of these
species was made by the Australian government
and all state and territory governments in 1999
based on environmental damage and economic
impacts.
In Australia, the annual cost of pest species has
been estimated at around $720 million (Counting
the Cost, 2004). Some invasive animals or pests
were deliberately introduced to Australia, while
others were accidentally imported. Table 3.8 lists
the major pest species of concern which have
been introduced into Australia.
Chapter 3 — Land, biodiversity, water and air 115