{"document_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_invasive_plant_species_in_New_South_Wales"}
Numerous plants have been introduced to the state of New South Wales, Australia during the past two centuries, and many of them have become invasive species or noxious weeds which by definition compete with native plants and suppress the growth of indigenous populations. NSW has over 340 weeds, though only one-third are considered noxious, which were purposefully introduced as garden and farmland plants, and thus had escaped. They generally consist of agricultural, scrub, aquatic, roadside and allergenic weeds.

Weeds threaten more than 40% of NSW threatened species (which are predominantly plants) and around 90% of endangered ecological communities. An excess of $50 million of public money (half which come from state government) is currently being spent on weed control. Despite the efforts, the control is not keeping up with their invasiveness, and the NSW Government has granted that it is unlikely to surpass its 2015 goal of ‘a reduction in the impact of invasive species’.

Weeds are threat to the state's natural environment and would jeopardise many native plants and animals in NSW. They would also effect the price of food, human condition (allergies and asthma), recreational activities and the economy of New South Wales. The harmful impact of weeds is increasing fast as more species are introduced and dispersed into new areas. General, state or regional biosecurity duties under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are presented for each weed.

Weed classification

This is the Noxious Weeds Act 1993:

Priority weeds

The Biosecurity Act 2015 restricts those that trade or transport plants (called 'priority weeds') that damage the state's environment, economy and community. The restrictions apply to all parts of the plant, such as cuttings, cultivars and hybrids. 'State priority weeds' are banned from being sold in NSW. 'Regional priority weeds' should not be sold or transported in certain regions of NSW. Those that buy or sell them are committing an offence, where they can be issued with hefty penalties. These legal rules apply:

Lists

Common weeds
Plants listed below are widespread weeds in parts of the state, found particularly in disturbed areas, parks and/or house gardens. Some are no longer commonly grown, while others are still cultivated. Some are invasive species that pose a threat to native fauna and flora, and are in the class 3 or 4 categories (a few are prohibited for purchase or propagation in some local government areas), whilst others are not considered noxious by any state government authorities:

Those marked with an asterisk are a Weed of National Significance.

Noxious weeds

Plants listed below, which tend to be sparsely distributed and not as commonly as the above species, are noxious weeds that should not to be sold in parts of New South Wales due to their invasive nature (most listed here are a 'Weed of National Significance'):
Prohibited species

Plants listed below are presently Prohibited Matter in the Biosecurity Act 2015. These plants are banned for importation into NSW and are not yet present in the state. Any person that deals with a Prohibited Matter plant is guilty of an offence. They are generally categorized under Class 1 (state prohibited weeds):