Parthenium weed has recently been found in a Ravensdale chicken yard on the Central Coast.

The weed causes health problems in humans and livestock, reduces carrying capacity of farmland, and contaminates grain.

Central Coast Council Unit Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said that although the weed is uncommon in NSW, we need to be vigilant.

“This finding of parthenium at Ravensdale, and at Engadine in southern Sydney earlier in the year have both been linked to contaminated, organic wholegrain chicken feed produced in Queensland,” Mr Sulkowski said.

“This is a devastating weed, and the community plays a vital role in preventing it take hold in NSW.

“If you think you have seen this weed on the Coast please contact Council immediately, or the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244, and our weed officers will help identify if it is parthenium and if so, help eradicate it.”

NSW DPI State Priority Weeds coordinator, Nicola Dixon said with 20 infestations this year, NSW has had the highest number of parthenium incursions since 1999.

“The community has played an important role in finding the weed and allowing Council weeds officers to remove and manage all infestations,” Ms Dixon said.

“We have been able to successfully detect and eradicate parthenium weed in NSW since 1982, thanks to the actions of the community and weeds officers across the state.”

More information about parthenium weed and how to identify the plant at different growth stages is available from DPI weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/PartheniumWeed

You can also use an online form to record any weed sightings, biosecurity.transactcentral.com/Biosecurity/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=report-a-biosecurity