Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto urges government to ‘act now’ to reduce spread of invasive Navua segde weed

The spread of an invasive weed has angered a North Queensland MP and land users, who are calling on the agriculture minister to ‘act now’ to save prime agricultural and recreational land.

Adrienne Kelley, Lawrence Di Bela, Nick Dametto MP, Cr Kate Milton, Robert Lyon and Richard Hobbs.

The spread of an invasive weed has angered a North Queensland MP and land users, who are calling on the agriculture minister to ‘act now’ to save prime agricultural and recreational land.

Navua sedge is an aggressive weed that can adapt to the tropical climate. It invades and replaces native flora, reducing the productivity of crops such as sugar cane.

First found growing on footpaths in Cairns in 1979, the dense grass-like weed has spread broadly across North Queensland.

Queensland Cane and Renewables Senior Technical Officer Lawrence Di Bella said the nature of the weed meant it was having devastating consequences.

“Navua sedge is aggressive in that it displaces other plants, including natives, and it can disrupt machinery operations and productivity in both agricultural and grazing systems,” he said.

“The spread is increasing rapidly through North Queensland, and it’s becoming a significant problem in the cane industry where it can stall base cutters on harvesters and negatively impact the overall yield of a crop.”

A close up of Navua sedge

“In land used for grazing, the weed out competes with other plant species, and I’m aware of productivity being reduced by as much as 60 to 70 per cent in some instances.”

The invasive weed is also causing problems for the Herbert River Pony Club, with Adrienne Kelly saying that Navua sedge had ‘all but taken over’ the main arena and paddocks of their club.

She stressed the safety of riders was at risk due to the uneven clumps the weed makes.

“North of Rockhampton, Herbert River is the only location where a state-level cross-country championship has been held in the past 20 years,” she said.

“Due to the way the sedge lifts the dirt up, we’ve lost 20 centimetres of height on some of our jumps, and what used to take a couple of hours to maintain is now taking days.”

Hinchinbrook MP and Deputy Leader of Katter’s Australian Party Nick Dametto said he has been in regular contact with stakeholders across the Herbert region who are ‘in desperate need’ of options to stop the spread.

“Slashing and mowing has seen Navua sedge spread around our district like wildfire,” he said.

“That’s why, in addition to biological and herbicide options, we must really see an exclusion strategy implemented across all sectors.”

Mr Dametto said the government played a ‘crucial role in addressing this crisis’ and they must allocate resources and funding towards research and solutions.

No slash zone sign

“My last Question on Notice to the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries raised more questions than answers about what research has been undertaken,” he said.

“The Minister made specific reference to a rust pathogen that has been detected in the Atherton Tablelands and was killing sedge but then indicated that no further rust fungus research would be conducted.”

Mr Dametto said it ‘makes no sense’ that research into rust fungus would cease and that as long as there are no negative effects, it could be a ‘strong biological solution that is desperately needed.’

“I have written to the Minister seeking clarification around what research is continuing,” he said.

“We must create a multifaceted approach before this week reaches a point of being uncontrolled by any measures.”

In response, a spokesman from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said Biosecurity Queensland is researching two possible biological control agents for Navua sedge, with testing expected to be completed by mid-2025.

“Once completed, we will have to go through the appropriate regulatory processes with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for clearance to release a control agent,” the spokesman said.

“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and we must all play a role to ensure we minimise biosecurity risks to protect Queensland’s lifestyle, industries, and environment from pests and diseases. Local government have a general biosecurity obligation under the Biosecurity Act 2014.”

Originally published as Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto urges government to ‘act now’ to reduce spread of invasive Navua segde weed