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Aquatic weeds

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Learn how biocontrol methods help to manage aquatic weeds. Apply for a permit to use biocontrol for weeds on your land.

What are aquatic weeds?

Aquatic weeds are invasive plants that can damage waterways and aquatic ecosystems.

They can have devastating environmental, social and economic impacts. This includes:

  • restricting water flow       
  • blocking gaseous exchange (leading to de-oxygenated water)
  • damaging habitat for aquatic animals
  • increasing the cost of water treatment
  • creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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Invasive species

Biosecurity in Brisbane

Environmental protection

Managing aquatic weeds

Council operates a biological control facility in Durack to breed insects that target invasive aquatic weeds. This facility has been operating for 15 years.

We currently grow 4 species of weevil within the biological control facility:

  • salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae)
  • water hyacinth weevils (Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichorniae)
  • water lettuce weevil (Neohydromonus affinis).

These weevils are grown to combat:

  • salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
  • water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) 
  • water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

Council runs the facility, which forms part of a cooperative effort with neighbouring councils and Seqwater. The facility provides biocontrol agents for the control of these aquatic weeds across South East Queensland.    

Eligible residents can apply for a permit to use weevils on their private property.

Benefits of biocontrol for aquatic weeds

Aquatic weeds can be difficult to control due to access issues and the sensitivity of aquatic environments.

Biological control methods, such as weevils, help to:

  • solely target and impact specific species
  • prevent thousands of tonnes of biomass from compromising the water quality in the Brisbane River
  • minimise the damage to local infrastructure
  • reduce the need to use chemicals in waterways
  • reduce the financial burden on local residents to manage aquatic weeds 
  • access places that are difficult or dangerous to access
  • reduce the social impacts of managing common areas.

These weevils have been deployed across Queensland for decades, with widespread acknowledgement of the results. The biocontrol program also won a Healthy Land and Waterways Award for Government Stewardship in 2017.

Two species of beetle have been released to help manage Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) and cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati). These beetles will not cause the plant to die, however will complement existing control measures and can compromise the health of the plant, allowing native species to recover.

The cat’s claw creeper jewel beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki) has been released at a number of sites within South East Queensland since it was approved for Australian release in May 2012. The release of the jewel beetle, in addition to the release of the leaf sucking tinged (Carvalhotingis visenda) and leaf-tying moth (Hypocosmia pyrochroma), will prove valuable in helping to manage the challenging vine.

The leaf feeding Madeira vine beetle (Plectonycha correntina) was first released in Queensland in 2011. Both the adult and larval stages of this beetle feed on madeira vine leaves.

To purchase a 'release quantity' of these species of beetles, you can email Gympie District Landcare. To find out more, visit Gympie District Landcare.

Apply for a permit

Follow our step-by-step process to apply for a permit to access weevils for aquatic weeds.

The permit is free for people in the Brisbane local government area.

It's issued under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

1 Check your eligibility

All Brisbane residents are eligible to apply for weevils to manage aquatic weed infestations on private land.

Council staff can also access weevils to manage weeds on public land.  

You may also be able to access weevils if you live in an area covered by a program partner. Partners include:  

Contact the relevant partner directly to access the program.

2 Gather supporting information

When applying for a permit, you need to provide:

  • your council area or government body
  • your contact details and address
  • information about the weeds and issue, including the weed species and the size of the infestation
  • at least 3 images of the infestation, including a wide shot and close-up shots.
3 Submit your application

Apply for weevils to manage aquatic weeds using the online form.

Apply online

After you apply

We’ll let you know about the outcome of your application.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a permit.

We’ll also provide guidance and information about the recommended treatment option and using the weevils. 

More information

To find out more about biological control in Brisbane: