THE Department of Agriculture and Food is appealing to people to avoid dumping suspect plants in creeks or drains following the discovery of one of Australia’s worst water weeds in a Lynwood creek.
A local environment group reported the weed, water hyacinth, at Bannister Creek.
It’s suspected the weed was dumped in a stormwater drain or directly into the creek.
Department research officer Sandy Lloyd said water hyacinths choked rivers, lakes and other waterways.
“It is a declared plant in WA, prohibited from sale and must be destroyed when found,” Ms Lloyd said.
The South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare spent recent weeks removing the infestation.
Chief executive Julie Robert said people with unwanted pond plants should dispose of them safely.
“Do not introduce them to waterways where they could cause havoc.
We have just spent a lot of time and money clearing the waterway of weeds to improve the water quality and now we are dealing with new weeds,” she said