Indigo Shire Council is responsible for controlling weeds and pest animals on property we own and manage, including Council-managed roadsides and reserves. Council undertakes an annual roadside weed control program that covers its 1,300 km roadside network. This program is jointly funded by Indigo Shire Council and the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. The focus of this program are Regionally Prohibited Weeds and Regionally Controlled Weeds.
Regionally Prohibited Weeds
These weeds are not widely distributed in a region but are capable of spreading further. It is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from a region and they must be managed with that goal. Land owners, including councils, must take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds on their land.

Example of a Regionally Prohibited Weed in Indigo Shire - Khaki Weed (Alternanthera pungens) near Rutherglen.

Example of Regionally Prohibited Weed and a Weed of National Significance (WONS) - Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma) in Rutherglen.
Regionally Controlled Weeds
These weeds are usually widespread in a region. To prevent their spread, ongoing control measures are required. Land owners have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds on their land.

Example of a Regionally Controlled Weed in Indigo Shire - English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) in Beechworth.

Example of a Regionally Controlled Weed in Indigo Shire – St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in Rutherglen.
Other noxious weeds
Indigo Shire Council’s roadside weed control program also targets other declared noxious weeds including Weeds of National Significance (WONS), Restricted Weeds, Unclassified Environmental Weeds, and New and Emerging Weeds.

Example of a Weed of National Significance – Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)

Example of a Weed of National Significance - Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana) in Rutherglen.
Indigo Shire Council’s weed control work on roadsides and reserves is primarily undertaken by licenced and experienced contractors, who are certified and trained in the safe use of chemicals. Landcare groups in Indigo Shire are consulted on the priority roads to include in the program each year. If you would like to report a weed or pest animal infestation on a council roadside or reserve please call (03) 5728 8000.

Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Ox-eye daisy is a declared noxious weed that is a quickly emerging issue in Indigo Shire. To the untrained eye the plant looks like a typical white and yellow daisy. But this weed spreads quickly and forms dense stands in agricultural areas and in native vegetation. It is unpalatable to livestock and reduces carrying capacity in pastures. It also outcompetes native plants, threatening higher quality habitat and endangered plant species. A native plant in Europe and parts of Asia, Ox-eye daisy is rapidly spreading through large areas of high rainfall country including Kosciuszko National Park. The species is spread by plant parts and seeds moved by water, animals, vehicles, equipment (e.g. movers), and contaminated produce. Each plant can produce up to 26,000 seeds each summer. The weed wasn’t recorded in Indigo Shire until the 2000’s, and is now spreading on different land tenures including Council roadsides - particularly throughout Stanley and Beechworth. Like other noxious weeds, Council has a responsibility to undertake control works to reduce the spread. We undertake this work engaging qualified and experienced contractors.
Find out more about this weed at: https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/OxeyeDaisy