Lantana (Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis)

Weed control program

Section 371 (1) b of the Biosecurity Act 2015

This Weed Control Program is a Council endorsed document under Section 371 (1) (b) of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and describes how a person must discharge the person’s general biosecurity duty for the biosecurity matter (weed) described.

Plant species

Common name: Lantana
Scientific name: Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis

Area of operation

Local government area of Eurobodalla Shire.

Species information

Lantana is one of Australia’s most debilitating invasive weeds. It is recognised as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) because of its impacts on primary industries, conservation and biodiversity, and the extent of its distribution. The Eurobodalla Shire Council contains the most southerly infestations of Lantana in Australia, and as such, control with the intention of eradication is important.

Lantana poisoning in cattle is quite common and causes major economic losses. Most cases of poisoning occur in animals newly introduced into areas where toxic forms of lantana are already growing. Lantana is also highly toxic to humans, and can cause serious illness and death. All parts of the plant, particularly the green berries, are poisonous if ingested, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, muscular weakness and respiratory distress. The plant is also a skin and eye irritant.

Lantana is a serious invader of disturbed ecosystems, agricultural land and natural bush. Lantana can restrict access in bushland and riverbanks and also reduce the overall visual amenity of an area. The total cost of controlling lantana in agricultural and non-agricultural areas has been conservatively estimated at more than $22 million per annum.

Legal obligations

Any person who deals with biosecurity matter or a carrier and who knows, or ought reasonably to know, the biosecurity risk posed or likely to be posed by the biosecurity matter, carrier or dealing has a biosecurity duty to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the biosecurity risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised.

Weed risk assessment

Risk level: Medium
Impacts: Economy and environment
Control objective: Asset protection

Council control requirements

  1. Destroy all plants, or if that is not practicable, destroy as many plants as is practicable and stop the spread of any remaining plants from the property.
  2. The landholder must prevent spread from their land to high priority sites including, but not limited to, sites with threatened species present and/or endangered ecological communities.
  3. The plant must not be sold, propagated or distributed.

Enforcement

A person who fails to discharge the person’s general biosecurity duty is guilty of an offence.

In the event that the general biosecurity duty is not discharged, Council may:

  • charge a reinspection fee
  • issue a fine notice (refer to Biosecurity Regulation 2017 (NSW) Schedule 6 - Penalty notice offences)
  • enter the property, perform weed direction works, and recoup all costs and expenses incurred.

Review date

When required.

Contact details

Invasive Species Supervisor - Biosecurity Act 2015 Authorised Officer
PO Box 99
Moruya NSW 2537

T: 02 4474 1000
E: council@esc.nsw.gov.au