The plan has been developed collaboratively with the South East Regional Weed Committee and Local Land Services, and now we want to hear from you.

The plan sets goals that focus on shared responsibility for weed management, sustainable landscapes, collaborative leadership and innovation and is open for public comment until March 8.

“Biosecurity is vital for the health, well-being and prosperity of everyone in NSW, so it is important that we hear from the community on this issue,” Sari Glover, Yass Local Area Manager said.

Legislative changes in the Biosecurity Act 2015 mean that we are now embracing the concept of a general biosecurity duty or GBD.

The GBD means that anyone who is aware of a potential biosecurity risk should take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise or eliminate that risk. The plan has been developed as a direct response to this legislative reform.

Each of the 11 regions across NSW has developed their own plan to meet the unique challenges of their region.

The plans will guide resource allocation and investment in each region and will provide a consistent basis for planning and delivery across the state.

When the plans are finalised it will mean that, for the first time in NSW, there will be a set of agreed priorities and actions, which apply across both public and private land.

The plans support a weed management culture that will enable the community and industries to respond to weed biosecurity challenges and will help guide the effective management of weeds.

Increased collaboration in the management of weeds will also improve biosecurity outcomes and increase agricultural productivity.

You can view and comment on the draft South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan and supporting documentation, including fact sheets, FAQs and feedback forms, at the Local Land Services Open website: http://open.lls.nsw.gov.au/se-weeds.