Scotch broom, Montpellier/Cape broom, Flax leaf broom

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 names: Scotch broom, Montpellier/Cape broom, Flax leaf broom, Dwarf broom, Hedge broom
Scientific names: Cytisus scoparius, Genista monspessulana, Genista linifolia, Cytisus racemosus nana, Genista x spachiana

Area of operation

Local government area of Eurobodalla Shire.

Species information

Brooms are perennial leguminous shrubs in the Fabaceae (pea family), which have numerous, flexible, broom-like young branches that give rise to their common name. They commonly grow to 2– 3 m tall, but can grow to 3–6 m. All Brooms have bright yellow flowers, produce hard-coated seeds in pea-like pods, and have seeds that are light brown to very dark, almost black, around 2.5–3 mm long, with an edible growth on the end of the seed (called an aril) that is attractive to ants.

Brooms have invaded over one million hectares of Australia and have naturalised in many other parts of the world, including North and South America, Asia, and New Zealand. Seeds are naturally dispersed from the plant by explosive pods that can flick seeds up to 3 m, though the majority of the seed lands within 1 m of the parent plant. Once on the ground, seeds are readily moved long distances by water, humans or animals.

Mature broom plants can produce thousands of seeds each year, and these seeds can remain dormant in the soil for 30 years or more before germinating.

Brooms invade native vegetation, forestry and pastoral systems in Australia, where they cause significant environmental and economic impacts. Brooms establish rapidly after disturbance, such as fire, grazing or forestry harvesting, but can also invade relatively undisturbed areas.

The commonly available cultivars Cytisus racemosus nana and Genista x spachiana are included due to their ambiguous identity and origin as well as their potential to hybridise with other Brooms.

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: Containment

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 in a manner agreed to, or dictated by, Council.
  2. The landholder must prevent spread from their land.
  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