Residents urged to act now to control harmful winter weeds
Published on 08 July 2025
Gympie Regional Council is urging landholders to act now to control five high-risk invasive weed species that are active during the winter months.
The key winter weeds causing concern in the region are:
- Fireweed - is highly toxic to livestock. Although it looks harmless, it poses a serious risk to grazing animals.
- African Tulip Tree - may have stunning flowers, but it’s invasive and harmful to native bushland. It outcompetes native species and is toxic to bees.
- Mother of Millions - A single plant can produce thousands of offspring. It thrives in neglected areas and is highly toxic to pets and livestock.
- Singapore Daisy - might look like harmless ground cover, but it aggressively spreads and smothers native plants. Dry winter conditions make it a great time to treat this weed.
- African Boxthorn - Forms dense infestations that provide shelter for pests and displaces native vegetation.
Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig said these weed species can harm native bushland, reduce pasture quality, poison livestock, and outcompete garden plants—impacting everyone from farmers to backyard gardeners.
“Winter is a crucial time to control these species before they spread and become more difficult to manage in spring,” Cr Hartwig said.
“Early, targeted action not only reduces herbicide use but also protects surrounding vegetation.
“Council manages these and other weed species on public land, but we can’t do it alone.
Many infestations start or spread from private land, so everyone has a role to play.”
“I would like to thank our dedicated Biosecurity team for all their hard work and for supporting residents across the region. They’re here to help you with any issues managing pest animals and weed species on your property, so don’t hesitate to give them a call for advice and assistance.”
Throughout winter, Council will use its social media channels to help residents and landholders easily identify and control these key weed species. Content will include short videos, practical tips, and interactive material to make weed control more accessible and effective for everyone.
For more information on how to identify and control priority weeds, visit www.gympie.qld.gov.au/weeds.