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| Star Thistle species
Statutory Weed Management PlanCentaurea calcitrapa (Star Thistle) | | Check the Weeds Index for more information on this and other weeds |
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In this weed management plan (approved 25 November 2006):- “Act” means the Weed Management Act 1999.
- “Approved quarantine place” means a place approved by the Secretary under section 70 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1997 for the purpose of examining any prescribed matter imported into or to be exported out of the State.
- “Court fine’ means a prescribed penalty for breaches against the Act. Court fines may be imposed if a person is convicted of any offence against the Act.
- “DPIW” means the Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania.
- “Infringement fine” means a prescribed penalty for breaches against the Act. Infringement fines are imposed by way of an infringement notice that may be issued by a Weed Inspector.
- “Inspector” means a Weed Inspector appointed under section 34 of the Act.
- “Penalty unit” means the basic unit of the fine for which persons who fail to comply with any prohibition or requirement under the Act may be liable. One penalty unit equals $100 at April 2002.
- “Quarantine Tasmania” means that branch of the Department of Primary Industries and Water that, in cooperation with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, maintains both overseas and interstate quarantine barriers for this state.
- “Regional Weed Management Officer” means a person employed in the Department of Primary Industries and Water under that specific title.
- “Regulations” means the Weed Management Regulations 2000.
- “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Water.
- “star thistle” means Centaurea calcitrapa L. and includes whole plants and plant parts. It does not include products such as tablets, lotions, tinctures or other preparations that contain extracts of these plants or other dead Centaurea calcitrapa materials. People who are uncertain about whether certain products (eg. dried materials) contain plant parts capable of regenerating should contact a Regional Weed Management Officer.
The purpose of this weed management plan for star thistle is to:- Provide direction upon the implementation of the Act with respect to star thistle.
- Specify measures to prevent the introduction and distribution of star thistle in Tasmania.
The State of Tasmania is covered by this weed management plan.
Star thistle is an erect, spiny, biannual herb from Europe, temperate Asia and northern Africa.
This plant can invade grazing areas and is also known to invade natural environments. It has potential to grow in a number of Tasmanian regions.
Star thistle is not known to be present in Tasmania although records from the late 19th century and mid 20th century show it may have been naturalised in the Oatlands and Sheffield areas respectively. It is has not been reported from these or other areas in Tasmania in recent times. Declaration therefore assists preventative management of this plant by limiting its importation and requiring early eradication.A person must not import or allow to be imported into Tasmania any star thistle.
It is an offence against section 57(1) of the Act to fail to comply with this prohibition. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted in court of that offence may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this prohibition under section 60 of the Act.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:- Persons travelling to Tasmania, in particular from areas infested with star thistle, should conduct thorough searches for the presence of the plant and apply appropriate hygiene measures, such as vehicle, baggage, footwear and clothing cleaning. In particular, any soil or plant material picked up from infested areas should be removed prior to entering Tasmania. Questions or concerns about hygiene issues should be directed to Quarantine Tasmania personnel before or directly upon disembarkation in Tasmania.
- Persons importing items to Tasmania that may contain star thistle should have these checked for the presence of the plant. This can be arranged through Quarantine Tasmania.
- Persons importing ornamental plants should ensure their stock does not include star thistle.
Note: The importation of this species into Tasmania is also restricted under the Plant Quarantine Act 1997. Quarantine Tasmania should be contacted for information on the relevance and application of the Plant Quarantine Act 1997 to activities concerning plant species.
Inspectors shall notify a Regional Weed Management Officer of any star thistle occurrences. The Regional Weed Management Officer will then check the identity of the plant and if star thistle is confirmed the Principal Weed Management Officer will initiate a weed incursion response.
A person must not sell or otherwise distribute any star thistle or any thing carrying star thistle.
It is an offence against section 56 of the Act to fail to comply with this prohibition. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted in court of that offence may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this prohibition under section 60 of the Act.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:- Persons selling or otherwise distributing ornamental plants should verify that these do not include star thistle. Plant identification queries may be referred to a Regional Weed Management Officer.
An Inspector may, by serving a notice on the owner of any place, require that owner to implement any of the measures described in this part of the weed management plan or any other measures consistent with it.
It is an offence against section 13(3) of the Act to fail to comply with a requirement notice issued by an Inspector. A person found committing that offence may be liable to an infringement fine of 8 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:- Persons discovering any plant resembling star thistle should contact a Regional Weed Management Officer without delay.
- Persons wishing to dispose of star thistle or any thing contaminated with star thistle should notify a Weed Inspector or a Regional Weed Management Officer first, in order to receive direction and upon how best to do this.
Any thing found to be contaminated with star thistle may be removed to storage at an appropriate approved quarantine place. A Regional Weed Management Officer will determine whether removal to storage at any of these facilities or treatment/destruction of material in situ is most appropriate.
Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence against section 51(1) of the Act. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this requirement under section 60 of the Act.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:- A person who discovers or suspects he/she possesses any thing contaminated with star thistle should contact an Inspector or a Regional Weed Management Officer without delay. The contaminated thing should not be moved, treated or disposed of prior to making this contact. If star thistle is confirmed, the person will be directed and assisted in the proper management, including disposal, of the contaminated thing.
There are no other measures appropriate for the management of star thistle in Tasmania at this time.Persons wishing to gain exemption from any of provisions of the Act that relate to star thistle should contact a Regional Weed Management Officer to discuss the reasons for seeking the exemption and obtain an exemption application form.
Persons granted an exemption should ensure they understand fully, any conditions specified in the exemption. Queries can be directed to a Regional Weed Management Officer.
A review of this weed management plan may be undertaken at least once every five years if it is necessary and desirable to do so. The review will incorporate consultation with stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Secretary, DPIW.
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