Pest plants and weeds threaten our natural landscapes and biodiversity. Find out how you can help control them and report them to us.
A wide range of pest plants and weeds grow in home gardens and on public land across the Gold Coast. The following resources can help you to identify, remove and prevent the spread of pest plants and weeds on your property.
Steps to manage pest plants and weeds
- Learn to recognise common weeds and avoid buying or selling them
- Remove any pest plants and weeds from your garden
- Replant with local Gold Coast native plants
- Dispose of garden waste responsibly. Do not dump clippings or aquarium plants in bushland, waterways, or along roadsides. You can take your garden waste to one of our Green organics drop and go sites for free.
Resources
The best way to manage pest plants and weeds is to control them and stop their spread.
Can I remove a pest tree on my property?
Yes, you are permitted to prune or remove what we call 'assessable vegetation' but only if an AQF Level 3 Arborist has identified the tree as being one of 5 listed pest species. To learn more, visit Removal of pest tree species and Tree and vegetation removal on private land.
Report pest plants and weeds to us
Please report any pest plants on public or private land you see. We will investigate and may be able to control their spread. You can:
What we do to manage pest plants and weeds
We inspect private and public land for invasive plants identified in the Gold Coast Biosecurity Plan 2025-2032. Management of identified invasive plants is prioritised according to the:
- likelihood of the pest plant being found
- impact of the pest plant to the city
- feasibility of successfully managing the pest plant or weed.
We manage waterway and wetland pest plants using different methods such as mechanical harvesting of aquatic vegetation, applying registered herbicides and biological control such as weevils to manage salvinia.
We also undertake weed management activities as part of our restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance of natural areas. Find out more on our Managing natural areas page.
Pest plant and weed species found on the Gold Coast
The information below may help you identify and control pest plants and weeds on your property.
Check local laws and permit requirements before starting. Recommendations apply to private land only.
The following species can be effectively controlled if the population is small, all individuals can be controlled, no new ones appear and removal outpaces reproduction:
Containment is most effective for the following species, with the main objective to delay further spread throughout the city:
These widespread pest plants and weeds can be found across the Gold Coast. We aim to reduce their impact on our environment, economy and community.
Diseases and pathogens
Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that will continue to infect susceptible plants in our city due to the large number of spores spread by the wind. Eradication of myrtle rust is not possible, but you can help reduce its impacts. For details visit our Myrtle rust page.
Definition of environmental weeds and invasive plants
Invasive plants and environmental weeds and invasive plants are pest plants that threaten our natural landscapes and biodiversity.
Invasive plant species are formally listed under the Biosecurity Act 2014 as restricted or prohibited due to the significant risks they pose to the environment, agriculture human health and social amenity. These destructive invaders spread rapidly and damage native ecosystems, outcompeting native vegetation and limiting food and shelter for wildlife. Some examples of invasive plants include Mexican bean tree, alligator weed and cats claw creeper.
Environmental weeds are often introduced as garden plants, but can escape into bushland, beaches, and waterways, where they disrupt native ecosystems. These plants have adapted to the environment and have a wide distribution. Managing these pest plants requires long term strategies to reduce their impact. Environmental weeds are unregulated and not listed as 'invasive matter' under the Biosecurity Act 2014, although a general biosecurity obligation still applies. Some examples of environmental weeds include giant devil's fig, coastal morning glory and Easter cassia.
Everyone has a general biosecurity obligation to manage and reduce the risks associated with pest plants under their control.
Pest plants and weeds are usually the first ones to re-establish in an area after initial weed control is carried out. Successful long-term weed control requires planning, working methodically, and ensuring control and maintenance is ongoing.