Weed Identification (Weed Detective Service)
Caloundra City Council's online Weed Detective Service helps you to quickly and easily identify what weed you have growing in your backyard or paddock.
It's as simple as filling in the online form and submitting some clear digital photos. Alternatively, if you don't have a digital camera, you can bring your weed samples (in a plastic bag) into Council's Customer Service Centre at 1 Omrah, Ave Caloundra.
Why weeds are a problem
Broadly, a weed is a plant growing outside its natural environment that has an adverse impact.
With over 3000 weed types in Australia, and more being discovered each year, weeds cause serious problems for primary industries, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health.
In Queensland, the annual cost of weeds is an estimated $600 million.
The Weed Detective Service - with the motto "Be weed aware" - is an important initiative of the Caloundra Weed Wipeout campaign. The campaign is raising awareness of weeds and helping residents to identify problem plants before they become pests.
How to use the Weed Detective Service
- you need to have an email address to use the online form
- complete and submit one form for each weed that you would like to identify
- upload a maximum of three photos for each weed
- photos should be in JPEG format and no larger than 1MB each
- indicate whether or not you agree to release the photos to Caloundra City Council for publication
Once you submit the form, a Council weed expert will reply to you within 10 working days, to tell you what the weed is, what you can do about it or where you can go for more information.