Prevent weed spread: industry and recreation

Corridors can include roads, power lines, rail lines, pipelines and telecommunication lines.

If you work in or along corridors in the Northern Territory (NT) without adequate weed management or hygiene procedures you may spread weeds. 

Strategic weed control is an important part of preventing spread along and from corridors. 

Vehicle and equipment hygiene is needed to avoid weed spread. Seeds or parts can be easily moved or introduced by vehicles and machinery. 

Maintenance material such as gravel and rock can be contaminated with weed seeds. 

Clean product should be used and areas of use monitored for weeds. 

Manage weed spread in corridors

Corridor managers and owners should do all of the following to manage weed spread in corridors:

• map locations and densities of declared weeds and send them to the Weed Management Branch
• use mapping data to develop an annual Weed Management Plan
• ensure that all contractors and staff can identify declared weeds relevant to the region
• prioritise all Class A species for eradication and report them to the Weed Management Branch
• adhere to relevant statutory weed management plans
• coordinate slashing, spraying and burning programs -slashing may be the best option for high density, widely established grasses, herbicide should be used to kill isolated plants and outbreaks
• prioritise weed control in areas with clean adjoining lands
• plan early control works for areas susceptible to water logging
• control high fuel load grasses close to infrastructure early in the season to prevent damage
• ensure that weed hygiene is written into maintenance contracts
• minimise disturbance to existing land surface and native or non-invasive grasses
• don't import or export contaminated materials including sand, gravel, rock and fill
• establish a monitoring program so control and weed spread can be evaluated
• work with relevant government agencies and land holders, particularly those who have adjoining, overlapping or adjacent corridors.

Slashing in corridors

Contractors and technical staff should do all of the following when slashing in corridors: 

• be able to identify priority weeds in the area
• coordinate slashing works with weed sprayers
• don't slash before herbicide has taken effect
• advise sprayers of intended route, enabling follow up using herbicide where required
• driver slashers from clean areas towards infested areas to prevent spread
• don't drive through seeding weeds - where weeds can't be avoided, vehicles should be cleaned before moving to weed free areas
• clean down into accessible, flat areas that don't run into drains or waterway
• record the location of clean down areas - check clean down areas after rain and treat emerging weeds if necessary.

Weed spraying in corridors

Contractors and technical staff should do the following when weed spraying in corridors:

• refer to an annual weed management plan
• be able to identify priority weeds in the area
• vary herbicide type according to weed species and location
• coordinate weed spraying with slashing program
• allow time to slashed, mown or burnt weeds to grow new leaves before spraying
• only spray weeds when they are actively growing
• always spray weeds before seeding
• don't drive through seeding weeds - where weeds can't be avoided, vehicles should be cleaned before moving to weed free areas
• clean down into accessible, flat areas that don't run into drains or waterway
• record the location of clean down areas - check clean down areas after rain and treat emerging weeds if necessary.