With grain growers preparing for a big 2024 harvest, people bringing harvesting machinery into NSW from Queensland are reminded they must ensure machinery crossing the border is free of the devastating parthenium weed and its seeds.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Parthenium Weed Response Program lead, Nicola Dixon, said headers pose a high risk of introducing parthenium weed into NSW.
“It is required by law that all harvesting machinery, equipment and vehicles which have been in Queensland must be properly cleaned and inspected before entering the state,” Ms Dixon said.
“The person in charge of a header, including the comb and comb trailer, must submit a completed Record of Movement form online or directly to an authorised DPIRD officer at one of our inspection stations.”
The form includes a declaration that the header and comb have been cleaned in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) 2019.
Operators of all machinery have a legal duty to prevent their machines from spreading parthenium weed into NSW under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.
It is illegal to bring grain harvesters and comb trailers from Queensland into NSW unless you have a Carrier Biosecurity Certificate from DPIRD inspection sites.
To expedite the process, call to book your inspection 24 hours prior to arrival at the DPIRD inspection sites at Boggabilla (07) 4671 1227, Hebel (07) 4625 0916 or Mungindi (02) 6753 2323.
A Biosecurity Certificate will cost $75, a minimal fee which is subsidised by the NSW Government.
Machinery and equipment, including harvest field bins, augers and grain movers, trucks and low loaders carrying a header, harvest support and escort vehicles, mineral exploration drill rigs and vehicles transporting rigs must be cleaned to remove all plant material, dust, soil and accumulated grease or be treated with a seed sterilant.
Parthenium is the greatest weed threat to NSW. Contact with the plant or pollen can cause serious allergic reactions in people. It is dangerous to grazing animals, hosts crop viruses, prevents desirable plants from establishing and reduces crop and land values.
More information about parthenium and contact details for crossing sites and offices are available on the DPIRD website - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/parthenium-greatest-threat.