Here are some tips to keep your backyard, farm, local bushland and waterways weed free.

Tips for everyone

• Get to know the local weeds in your area. Contact your local council Weed Officer, Bushcare or Landcare Group or Agronomist.
• Be aware that weed seeds are transported on vehicles, trailers, clothing, shoes, in soil and in pet fur and hair.
• Always stick to designated tracks when walking, horseriding, driving, riding pushbikes or motorbikes through natural areas.
• Dispose of weeds that are already seeding or readily able to reproduce vegetatively by placing them in a black plastic bag, sealing it and "baking it" in the sun for a couple of weeks prior to placing it in the bin.
• Compost or dispose of other garden and green waste in council green waste collections or by carefully transporting it to your council's green waste tip. NEVER dump garden waste over the back fence or in bushland.
• Always cover trailers when transporting plant material to prevent seeds and other live plant material falling off.
• Consider carefully what plants you buy for ponds and aquariums.
• Never dump aquarium water or contents down drains or into waterways
• Imported plants, bulbs and seed including those ordered over the Internet or through mail order must be cleared before coming into the country. Check the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website before ordering plant material.

Landholders

• Thoroughly clean down machinery, vehicles and tools that have been in weed-infested areas.
• Only sow seed that is weed free, preferably certified as such.
• Get a vendor declaration of the weed status of fodder, hay, topsoil and seed prior to purchase. Similarly, insist upon inspecting the log book or contractors (eg harvesters, hay balers, seed drillers) entering your land.
• If you can't be sure your imported feed is weed free, set aside containment areas where you feed stock.
• Insist that any contract equipment or service vehicles (eg: electricity, telephone) be cleaned before coming onto and when leaving your property.
• Provide a washdown area as near as possible to your farm gate.
• Use integrated weed management techniques [link] to increase your chance of success and reduce the risk of herbicide resistance and other problems associated with single strategy approaches.
• Keep access roads, easements and yards weed free.
• Move livestock to frequently used holding areas after they've been grazing on weedy paddocks. This will limit the spread of weeds and allow easy control of new seedlings which may emerge from animal waste.
• Hold new stock in yards or quarantine paddocks for 48 hours before allowing them out onto the rest of the property.
• Plant bushes and trees along boundaries to prevent seed spreading from neighbouring properties.

Gardeners

• Make your garden a "thug free zone". Contact your local council for a list of common garden escapes, and then reduce or remove them from your garden. Your council may also have a list of safe alternative species.
• Be aware that birds and wind can disperse weed seeds 20 - 30kms from your home.
• Stop water and fertilisers running from your garden into bushland areas. Nutrient enriched soils promote weed growth.
• Wash your car on the lawn to prevent detergents entering the waterways via stormwater drains, where they become food for weeds.

Recreational users

• Check your boat, trailer, motors, caravans and other equipment for weeds. Remove all plant material and seeds and wash down equipment before you travel to your next location.
• Sweep your tent or swag out at each location
• Don't sweep your horse float out in the bush
• Leave weed seeds and fragments in the weed infested area, burn them in a campfire, or bag and dispose of them responsibly.