Help stop illegal trade of prohibited water weeds

Eurobodalla residents with information about the trade of invasive plants and water weeds can now report it with confidence to Crime Stoppers.

Trading water weeds like frogbit, salvinia and water hyacinth is illegal and can be catastrophic to the local environment. These water plants grow quickly, block waterways, reduce water quality, and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to control.

Eurobodalla Council’s invasive species supervisor Paul Martin said online trading in these prohibited plants was “significant and must be stopped”.

“People put weeds like water hyacinth and salvinia in aquariums, frog ponds and water features in their backyard, which is a really big issue, as they grow like crazy and sometimes spread or get dumped into a waterbody,” he said.

“These water weeds know no bounds - they can establish anywhere. We have a couple of infestations here in Eurobodalla and they’re very costly to try and get on top of.”

It is illegal to grow and propagate certain invasive plants and water weeds, while penalties of up to $1.1 million and three years’ jail are in place for individuals found to be selling them.

Community members with information can contact NSW Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online via the Crime Stoppers website.

“It’s really important that our community plays a role in helping to stop the trade of these plants, as they put our environment and economy at real risk,” he said.

“If somebody sees any of these plants being sold online, they can call or email Crime Stoppers and it will be investigated. Crime Stoppers just need to know what you know, not who you are.”

The prohibited trade of plants campaign is a partnership between NSW Local Land Services, NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Crime Stoppers.

For more information about invasive weeds visit  the Department of Primary Industries NSW WeedWise website.