Mimosa Bush – Photo Courtesy of Inverell Shire Council
Mimosa is a dense invasive, thorny shrub that has taken over large tracts of land in the north-west of NSW. It normally grows to around 1.5 metres high and almost every part of the plant has thorns which can cause eye damage to stock, who will often seek out the protein rich seed pods. Each pod contains about 10 seeds which pass through grazing animals and are then deposited over larger areas, ensuring the continued spread of the bush.
Until recently mimosa was deemed to be a native, not a noxious weed, which meant it came under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and restrictions applied to clearing, especially where it was not rated as an invasive native species. The plant is found on approximately 23 million hectares of NSW; agricultural land and areas set aside for conservation. It reduces habitat for all animals, reduces the amount of groundcover and other herbage which impacts upon biodiversity and can, in some instances, cause soil erosion.
If you have ever driven north, east or west of Moree, in the northern part of the state and noticed almost ‘wall-to-wall’ thickets of plants with a yellow flower – that is yellow mimosa.
In the latter part of last year CWA of NSW ran a campaign to have yellow mimosa listed as a noxious weed and on 30th August 2013 the Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, Robyn Parker MP, announced that it was “all over for yellow mimosa” i.e. it had been declared a feral native plant species under native vegetation regulations.
Ms Parker acknowledged the part that CWA of NSW had played in achieving a win for landholders and managers of public land and we appreciate the NSW Governments approach to addressing our concerns.
Right, tick that box….now, what’s next girls?
Snippets 
This is the power of the CWA of NSW that I’ve read about in its literature. Great to see things not only happening but being promoted to the membership. Great to feel part of something so constructive. YAY for CWA!!
PS Hope this article will be in the Journal too. I’m just wondering whether WordPress is widely enough known for all this valuable material Tanya? Would something more ubiquitous like FaceBook be a louder platform for you? I seem to be one of but few who are responding…
Well done CWA !!
Driving into Moree from any direction for the 2013 State CWA AGM, one could not help but notice the enormous problem for farmers and the environment that the Yellow Mimosa has become.
Gaye