Milestone reached in Far North Coast invasive weed work

A major regional effort to manage a highly invasive weed across the Far North Coast has been completed, marking an important step forward in protecting local agriculture and the environment.

Delivered by Rous County Council (Rous), with funding from the NSW Government’s Good Neighbours Program, the project focused on limiting the spread of Tropical soda apple (TSA) through coordinated action in high-risk areas.

Work was concentrated along the Richmond River and its tributaries, where waterways play a key role in transporting TSA seeds.

Tropical soda apple poses a significant challenge due to its ability to establish rapidly and impact both farming operations and natural ecosystems. Its movement through river systems makes early intervention and coordinated management essential.

Weed Biosecurity Manager, Philip Courtney said the scale of the project was significant.

“The project followed more than 130 kilometres of the Richmond River corridor and included over 80 river-front properties infested with TSA, covering an area of more than 600 hectares,” Philip Courtney said.

“Our Weed Biosecurity Officers also partnered with local contractors in a joint effort to contain existing infestations and reduce further growth.”

Priority locations included Wiangaree, Kyogle, Casino, Coraki, Woodburn and Broadwater, with additional work undertaken along Tunglebung Creek to minimise the risk of the weed spreading into the Clarence River catchment.

Due to the challenges of accessing some riparian areas, a range of surveillance strategies were employed.

“To ensure full coverage of riverbank areas, the team spent weeks kayaking and boating along the Richmond River. This was supported by aerial surveillance flights to identify any infestations that may have been missed during ground and water searches,” Philip Courtney said.

“Tropical soda apple is one of the invasive weeds Rous is targeting for eradication in the Northern Rivers.

“While the project marks a significant milestone, TSA remains an ongoing threat. Continued monitoring of regrowth by landholders and Rous Weed Biosecurity staff will be essential to maintaining progress.”

Rous General Manager, Phillip Rudd said the collaborative approach has been key to the successful delivery of this important project. 

“On behalf of Rous, I thank Local Land Services and the NSW Government for their investment in our region through the Good Neighbours Program.

“We also acknowledge and commend local landholders for their ongoing vigilance and commitment in identifying and effectively removing this weed from their properties.

“Together, we are stronger in protecting the region’s agricultural productivity and rich biodiversity.”

Good Neighbours Program Assistant Project Officer, Matt Fuller, acknowledged the importance of working collaboratively across agencies and land types for effective control of this invasive weed.

“TSA poses a significant threat to the ecological balance, agricultural productivity and biodiversity right across the North Coast and Northern Tablelands.

“The Good Neighbours Program has brought key stakeholders together to deliver a coordinated response to manage TSA infestations, particularly where public and private land boundaries meet.

“Across the North Coast and Northern Tablelands, eight TSA projects were delivered through the Good Neighbours Program in priority catchments, rivers and estuaries, targeting key infestation areas within the Richmond, Clarence and Macleay systems.

“These projects supported partners, including Rous County Council, to scale up coordinated control efforts and reduce the spread of TSA.

“By taking a multi-agency, multi-project approach, the program applied a nil-tenure model, coordinating a collaborative, landscape-scale strategy.

“This has resulted in a significant reduction of TSA across the treated areas, protecting the river systems and biodiversity further downstream.

“TSA is a serious threat to biodiversity and agriculture across the North Coast and Northern Tablelands. Thanks to the Good Neighbours Program, agencies are working together to fight back, and through collaboration, we can protect the future of our river systems.”