How to stop the spread
Alien and invasive species at Noetzie
Alien and invasive plant species pose a severe threat to our indigenous biodiversity and a significant fire risk.
Legislation on alien and invasive species
The National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) Section 73 requires every person to exercise a Duty of Care relating to invasive species. Sec 73(2) (a) requires a landowner to notify the relevant competent authority, in writing of listed invasive species occurring on that land, (b) take steps to control and/or eradicate the listed invasive species, to prevent it from spreading, and (c) to take all the required steps to prevent or minimise harm to biodiversity. Failing to adhere to these requirements may result in the landowner receiving a directive from the competent authority, compelling such landowner to take the required action or face legal action.
Read the regulations here: Alien & Invasive Species Regulations 2020
Species Categories
Invasive Species are listed in four categories:
Category 1a: Take immediate steps to combat or eradicate where possible.
Category 1b: Control the listed invasive species.
Category 2: Keeping species is allowed under Permit conditions. Control outside of the Permit conditions.
Category 3: Subject to certain prohibitions (e.g. sell). Category 3 plants in riparian areas are treated as Category 1b.
Find out which species belong in which categories here: Alien & Invasive Species List 2020
Identify Alien and invasive vegetation (AIV) here. You can also log them on iNaturalist, and others can help you to identify plants you’re unsure of!
Controlling alien and invasive species
Here are some resources for you to find out how to control alien and invasive species: