An invasive and destructive aquatic weed was recently found in the Georges River.
Environmental officers identified a small growth of the invasive weed, Amazon Frogbit in May during routine inspections of the river.
They have since been working alongside the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Georges Riverkeeper and Liverpool City Council to map the extent of the weed’s spread.
Mayor George Brticevic asked the public to keep an eye out for Amazon Frogbit in nearby waterways and alert council staff if they come across it.
“Early detection of invasive species in natural systems is very important, particularly with prohibited plants such as Amazon Frogbit, which has potential to seriously degrade the local ecosystem if left unchecked,” Cr Brticevic said.
“Although the community may not know these plants are invasive, it is important that residents are aware of the impacts of garden and pond plants and more specifically they are never released into our natural environment,” he said.
Amazon Frogbit has been banned from sale since 2014 and trading of the plant can carry heavy fines under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Residents are advised to be diligent when purchasing plants online or through markets vendors.
Campbelltown Council is encouraging residents to check their backyard ponds, fish tanks and local waterways for Amazon Frogbit or any other suspicious plants to ensure that our environment is protected.
For more information on Amazon Frogbit or if you have found a suspicious plant on your property or in the local area please contact council’s Natural Areas Team.
For information on identifying priority weeds in the Campbelltown area visit https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/PriorityWeeds
