NSW Biosecurity

NSW Biosecurity Protecting the economy, environment and community from pests, w**ds and diseases. All content is moderated by us and we reserve the right to remove any content.

The Department of Primary Industries Biosecurity facebook will provide useful information about how we can all play an important part in protecting NSW from the potentially devastating impacts of pests, diseases, w**ds and contaminants. Biosecurity is a responsibility shared between individuals, communities and government. Working together we can promote the importance of good biosecurity practice

s, share ideas and engage with one and other on key biosecurity issues. This Page has been created to share news and information regarding the activities, policies and programs of NSW DPI Biosecurity. If you wish to report illegal activity or formally contact NSW DPI Biosecurity please do so via our website - http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity

Disclaimer
The NSW DPI Biosecurity Page will be monitored regularly on weekdays during business hours. We welcome feedback and ideas from our followers, and try to join the conversation where possible. We read all comments and messages on this Page but cannot reply individually to everything. We ask that users use non-discriminatory, non-defamatory language and respect people's privacy. We may block users or report unreasonable behaviour when appropriate. To protect your own privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include personally identifiable information. The NSW Trade and Investment privacy policy is available on our website. We may provide links to external websites as part of our communication with Facebook users. The use of these links does not mean that NSW DPI Biosecurity endorses the website, nor is NSW DPI Biosecurity responsible for the content or reliability of links. Any references to commercial entities, products, services, or other nongovernmental organisations or individuals that remain on this site are provided solely for informational purposes. Such references are not an official or personal endorsement of any product, person, or service.

| Community guidelines |

Welcome to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Biosecurity page. NSW DPI has created the biosecurity social media channels as a way to engage with our stakeholders about the importance of biosecurity and share ideas and opportunities to protect our economy, environment and community from the harm caused by plant and animal pests and diseases. NSW DPI does not accept responsibility for the comments of followers on this page. They are not representative of the opinions of NSW DPI, nor do we confirm their accuracy. We encourage the expression of opinions and open discussion, and we may delete comments or block users who don’t share our goal of keeping this page an open, safe and respectful space for everyone. Decisions are at our discretion and are final. Comments will be deleted if they contain:

- Comments, content, links or images that are violent, obscene, profane, hateful, derogatory, illegal, deceptive, misleading or racist, or incite such comment or behavior
- Threatening or defamatory remarks about any person or organisation
- Solicitations, advertisements, endorsements of any financial or commercial organisations
- Comments that reveal personal information or do not relate to the topic at hand
- Trolling or deliberate disruption of discussion, including being a nuisance to the community
- Multiple, successive off-topic posts by a single user
- Any other inappropriate content or comments as determined by our team

NSW DPI manages this page, and monitors it between 8.30am-5pm on weekdays. Comments may be disabled on old posts when the post can no longer be monitored or the information has changed. Thank you for helping us create a space where everyone can feel safe, respected and welcome.

Be alert for fire ant nests after wet weather and as the temperature cools. In cooler months, nests are often built high...
02/06/2026

Be alert for fire ant nests after wet weather and as the temperature cools.

In cooler months, nests are often built higher to help regulate temperature. Check open, sunny and disturbed areas such as roadsides, parks, lawns, garden beds, waterways, gutters and paths. Also inspect places where turf, soil, mulch or potted plants have been brought in.

Keep a lookout for:
• bare or flattish soil patches, or mounds up to 40cm high
• nests with no obvious entrance or exit holes
• loose, crumbly soil with a honeycomb appearance inside
• aggressive ants that swarm quickly in large numbers when disturbed and may sting at the same time
• dark reddish-brown ants with a darker brown-black abdomen
• ants of varying sizes, around 2–6mm long

If you think you’ve found fire ants, act fast. Call the Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants for more information.

Moving plants or plant products into NSW? You might be surprised to learn that some everyday plants, produce and garden ...
02/06/2026

Moving plants or plant products into NSW?

You might be surprised to learn that some everyday plants, produce and garden items have movement restrictions. These rules aren’t about red tape — they’re about protecting NSW growers, industries and our economy.

Before you move plants, fruit, soil or equipment, take a moment to check what’s allowed.

✅ Protect our state
✅ Protect our growers
✅ Protect our markets

See the NSW Government website for more information: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/plant-biosecurity/market-access-and-trade/nsw-movement-zones/movement-conditions-for-plants,-plant-products-and-related-items

Can you pick the tilapia? One of these fish is a serious pest. Test your skills and hit the emoji on the fish you think ...
01/06/2026

Can you pick the tilapia?

One of these fish is a serious pest. Test your skills and hit the emoji on the fish you think is a tilapia (Oreochromis spp.).

Tilapia are a prohibited invasive pest fish in NSW and pose a serious threat to native fish and healthy waterways. Tilapia are spreading in the Tw**d catchment.

If you see or catch a suspected tilapia, report to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development:

📞 Call the 24‑hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🌐 Use the online reporting form: https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247

Even if you’re not 100% sure, please report it. Every report helps protect our rivers and native fish.

Learn more: dpi.nsw.gov.au/tilapia (see comments for answers!)

The NSW Government urges the community to be on the lookout for Sagittaria. It is a water w**d that outcompetes nativ...
27/05/2026



The NSW Government urges the community to be on the lookout for Sagittaria. It is a water w**d that outcompetes native plants and reduces food and habitat for fish and other aquatic animals. It also reduces water quality and can block irrigation channels.

Plants may be completely underwater or emerge above the water. Underwater leaves are thin and straplike. The leaves that grow above the water are oval-shaped with a pointed tip, up to 48 cm long and 10 cm wide and are on long stalks.

This 3D digital interactive model can help you identify Sagittaria: https://skfb.ly/oX6pw

For more information go to the WeedWise website:

https://w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Sagittaria or download the app: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/invasive-plants-and-animals/w**ds/nsw-w**dwise2

Central Tablelands Local Land Services Central West Local Land Services Hunter Local Land Services Murray Local Land Services North West Local Land Services
Riverina Local Land Services Western Local Land Services

Hay and fodder often need to be sourced from outside your local area, especially during challenging seasons. While this ...
26/05/2026

Hay and fodder often need to be sourced from outside your local area, especially during challenging seasons.

While this helps support our farmers and livestock, it’s important to be mindful of the biosecurity risks that can come with bringing feed onto your property.

Introducing new fodder may also introduce pests, diseases or w**ds that are not currently present. Knowing where your feed comes from and what it contains is key to managing these risks and protecting your livestock and land.

If you are sourcing or receiving donated feed or fodder, consider the following steps:
✅Ask where the fodder has come from and what it is made up of.
✅Check whether it is permitted into NSW and understand any potential biosecurity risks.
✅Confirm the fodder meets legal requirements and whether certification is needed by visiting the DPI website.
✅Reject any feed or fodder that does not meet NSW biosecurity requirements.

There are also specific restrictions on importing fodder from parts of South East Queensland. Visit the NSW Government Red Imported Fire Ants information webpage for more details: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants

Local Land Services NSW NSW Agriculture

Found larvae in fruit - or noticed unusual damage? 🍊It could be nothing, but it could also be a sign of a regulated pest...
25/05/2026

Found larvae in fruit - or noticed unusual damage? 🍊

It could be nothing, but it could also be a sign of a regulated pest - like Mediterranean fruit fly.

Reporting early helps biosecurity teams respond quickly and reduce impacts. That means protecting crops, markets and communities across NSW.

Learn what to look for and how to report via the NSW Government website.
What to look for: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/invasive-plants-and-animals/insect-pests/medfly
Report: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/report-a-biosecurity-concern

Local Land Services NSW NSW Agriculture

22/05/2026

May 22 is International day for biodiversity (IDB). This year, IDB is focusing on "acting locally for global impact."

The NSW Government echoes the IDB sentiment that biodiversity action is a shared responsibility.

Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, businesses, youth and civil society all have a role to play.

Take a moment today to reconnect with why biodiversity matters, and how the actions we take, wherever we are, contribute to something much bigger.

Tilapia are spreading in the Tw**d catchmentTilapia are a prohibited invasive pest fish in NSW and pose a serious threat...
21/05/2026

Tilapia are spreading in the Tw**d catchment

Tilapia are a prohibited invasive pest fish in NSW and pose a serious threat to native fish and healthy waterways. Once they establish, they breed rapidly and are extremely difficult to control.

A major cause of their spread is people moving or releasing fish, even with good intentions.

Always check, clean, and dry your gear between waterways!

If you see or catch a suspected tilapia:

🚫 Do not put it back in the water. It is illegal and spreads pests!

🚮 Any tilapia you catch must be humanely dispatched and placed in a bin going to landfill.

📷 Take a photo if you can, note the location, and report it immediately. Early reporting is critical to limiting further spread.

📞 Call the 24 hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888

✉️ Email: [email protected]

🌐 Use the online reporting form: https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247

Even if you’re not 100% sure, please report it. Every report helps protect our rivers and native fish.

Learn more: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/tilapia

Tw**d Shire Council NSW Fisheries Local Land Services NSW Primary Industries and Regional Development OzFish Unlimited Ozfish

🌿The NSW Government urges the community to be on the lookout for cestrum w**ds. Green cestrum is a shrub growing to ...
20/05/2026

🌿

The NSW Government urges the community to be on the lookout for cestrum w**ds.

Green cestrum is a shrub growing to 3 m tall with shiny green leaves up to 10 cm long. The yellow flowers are in clusters and produce small black berries when ripe.

Red cestrum is a shrub growing to 5 m tall with dull green leaves that can grow up to 12.5 cm long. The flowers are pinkish red - purple and the berries are red or pink when ripe.

Lady-of-the-night is a shrub growing to 4 m tall with glossy leaves, up to 15 cm long. The greenish yellow or cream flowers are very strongly perfumed and produce small white berries when ripe.

For a detailed description and advice on how to manage these w**ds go to WeedWise:

Green cestrum: w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/GreenCestrum

Red cestrum: w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/RedCestrum

Lady-of-the-night: w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/LadyOfTheNight

Or download the app: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/invasive-plants-and-animals/w**ds/nsw-w**dwise2

Local Land Services NSW Hunter Local Land Services Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Riverina Local Land Services Western Local Land Services North West Local Land Services Greater Sydney Local Land Services South East Local Land Services North Coast Local Land Services Central West Local Land Services Central Tablelands Local Land Services Murray Local Land Services

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