Biosecurity Act 2015 replacing the noxious weeds legislation

From 1 July 2017 the NSW Government will be replacing the Noxious Weeds Act 1993, and 13 other Acts, with a single Biosecurity Act 2015.

Information on the new Biosecurity Act is provided below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What is Biosecurity? 
Biosecurity refers to the protection of native plant communities; reducing the risk to human health; and the risk to agricultural production, from invasive weeds.

What is an invasive weed? 
Invasive weeds are plants that are spread by birds, wind and storm water. Invasive weeds impact upon neighbouring properties and surrounding bushland by excluding and competing with native plant growth and regeneration.

What is changing? 
From 1st July 2017 the NSW Government is replacing the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 with the Biosecurity Act 2015. The new Biosecurity Act 2015 combines 14 different pieces of legislation, including the Noxious Weeds Act, into a single Act of law.

Under the Noxious Weeds Act all landowners have a responsibility to control noxious weeds on their property. Under the Biosecurity Act the same responsibility will apply and will be known as a General Biosecurity Duty.

What does the new Biosecurity Act mean for me? 
Landowners have a responsibility to control noxious weeds on their property under the Biosecurity Act as they did under the old Noxious Weeds Act. If you notice invasive weeds coming up on your property, you will need to control them as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to other properties or our native bushland. Remember: Biosecurity Begins in your Backyard.

The only difference residents will see is a change in the terminology used, for example, the term Noxious Weed will be replaced with Invasive Weeds or Biosecurity Matter, and that weed notices/orders will be issued as Biosecurity Directions under the Biosecurity Act.

Will the Biosecurity Act change the way Council manages weeds on private property?
No. Council’s Urban Weeds Program and the process for inspecting private properties for invasive weeds will continue unchanged. Council will also maintain its current approach to education and enforcement relating to invasive weeds.

Council will maintain the current process for issuing Weed Control Notices. The main differences will be the terminology used and that Orders will be issued under the Biosecurity Act. They will be known as Biosecurity Directions.

Where do I find more information about the Biosecurity Act? 
For further information see the Department of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/biosecurity-legislation/key-questions-and-answers.