Cabomba
A quarantine order exists for the Darwin River from the Cox Peninsula Road crossing to the Leonino Road crossing. This section of the Darwin River was placed under quarantine on 9 November 2004 as part of the Cabomba Eradication Program. The quarantine remains in place until 8 November 2011. The quarantine order prohibits the movement of people, animals, vehicles, vessels (including boats), plant material, soil, fodder or anything into or out of the quarantine area. The quarantine order will prevent cabomba being spread from the affected area and restrict access to the area being treated with herbicides. |
Access Permit
Section 22 of the Weeds Management Act enables members of the public to apply for an Access Permit in order to legitimately access the quarantine area. Click to download the Application to Access Quarantine Area form.
Technical Reports and Fact Sheets
- 2005/2006 Cabomba Eradication Program (pdf 2.7Mb)
- 2004/2005 Cabomba Eradication Program (pdf 415Kb)
- Darwin River Quarantine and Cabomba Identification (pdf 230Kb)
Media Releases
| Date | Media Release | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct | 2008 | Cabomba Quarantine Order Extended | 32Kb |
| 2 Jul | 2007 | 41Kb | |
| 12 Apr | 2007 | $506,000 to Fight Cabomba | 98Kb |
What is Cabomba?
Cabomba is a submerged freshwater plant native to South America that has been traded throughout the world as an aquarium plant. It was first recorded in Australia in1967. Since its introduction, it has found its way into numerous waterways where it has had a negative impact on biodiversity, water quality, water storage, water distribution infrastructure and recreational activities. Cabomba is now classed a Weed of National Significance (WONS) after it was ranked as one of the worst 20 weeds in Australia.
In the Northern Territory, cabomba was declared a Class A (to be eradicated) and Class C (not to be introduced into the NT) weed in 1997. The declaration followed the discovery of a cabomba infestation at Marlow Lagoon in Palmerston. As is typical of cabomba infestations in other states, the plant covered large areas of the lagoon and blocked the entire water column. In 2002, cabomba was eradicated from Marlow Lagoon, and this remains the only successful eradication in Australia.
In October 2004, a large infestation of cabomba was found at Darwin River, 40 km south of Darwin. This is the only known infestation of cabomba in the NT. In November 2004, the Cabomba Eradication Program was initiated with the aim of eradicating cabomba from the NT. This program is ongoing. To find out more about cabomba and the eradication program, follow the links on the side panel.
Contact Details
| Weed Management Branch | |
| Phone | 8999 4567 |
| weedinfo@nretas.nt.gov.au | |
