Weeds and mowing

Grass and weed management in reserves is done using a variety of methods including mowing, brush cutting and chemical control. Council’s operations teams adopt the most appropriate methods taking factors into consideration such as location, access, cost efficiency and presence of native vegetation. The frequency of mowing depends on the type of use of the grassed area.

Some reserves require the use of different types of machinery to complete the entire grass cutting task which may not occur at the same time. Some urban grassland areas may be left to grow a bit longer to support biodiversity and soil health.

This is a summary of the different types of reserve maintenance categories.  

High use public reserves which are usually irrigated and subject to high or medium use such as Rotary Park, Market Square and public memorials. These are scheduled to be visited on a fortnightly basis throughout the year.

Developed reserves with lower public use such as Symonds Reserve, Tutu Wirra Reserve and Willunga Rose Garden may be irrigated and can include playgrounds and fixtures. They are scheduled to be visited on a three-weekly basis during the growth period from May to December. During times of unseasonal growth, they may receive additional cuts.

Natural and dryland areas which includes non-irrigated, undeveloped, natural wooded and open reserves such as Frank Smith Park (sports ground excluded), Wilfred Taylor Reserve (dryland areas only) and Tangari Regional Park. These are scheduled to be visited on a six-weekly basis during the growth period from May to December and may include creeks, wetlands, steep slopes, trails (linear parks), patches of native grass and revegetated areas. During times of unseasonal growth, they may receive additional cuts.

Sports grounds are maintained for various sporting disciplines to ensure safety, aesthetics and prolong the life and condition of the facility. Maintenance frequency and intensity is largely influenced by usage patterns, sporting code and climatic seasonal changes. These are scheduled to be visited on a weekly basis during spring and summer and as necessary, during winter and autumn and subject to change relating to seasonal/surface conditions.

Rural roadsides - mowing is undertaken on accessible roadside verges to manage fuel loads, maintain sight lines and improve amenity and function. Some areas that contain remnant native vegetation are designated as Native Vegetation Roadside Marker System (RMS) areas are marked with blue and white signs. Selective and carefully time weed control is undertaken in these areas to protect and improve the native vegetation while maintaining safety standards.

Request reserve mowing

A verge is the area between the road and a property boundary. Verges can have important functions such as walkways, access to parked cars or providing a green space for trees and gardens. Some verges contain remnant or planted native vegetation that can provide habitat for native wildlife. They are also important for services such as power lines, gas, water, communications and sewerage.

Council owns the verge area and takes responsibility for maintaining safe public access, protecting existing native vegetation and street trees. Households may wish to landscape the verge in front of their property. The property owner is to be responsible for maintaining the verge planting. All verge works must be undertaken in accordance with our Road Verge Landscaping Guidelines (PDF, 12MB)

As long as the verge planting is in line with these guidelines, you do not need council approval. Where planted verges are not maintained or are planted outside of these guidelines, the development may be removed by council. 

Roadside and verge maintenance

Overgrown or overhanging vegetation

Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) roads

We receive many requests for maintenance work, including weed removal on DIT roads, such as Main South Road, Southern Expressway, Flagstaff Road, Happy Valley Drive, Black Road, Chandlers Hill Road, Commercial Road and Lonsdale Road, which are not council's responsibility. Please check the below list of all non council roads in our city, before submitting a request.

Non-council roads(PDF, 80KB)

To report any road hazards, weed clearance, signal faults (including removal of dead animals) or have a general enquiry, please contact DIT on: 

• General enquiries, train enquiries, planning enquiries and projects  1300 872 677
• Traffic hazards, weed clearance, signal faults and emergencies  1800 018 313

Some weeds can cause harm to natural landscapes, agricultural areas, waterways, coastal areas, people, animals or infrastructure. Certain weeds have been ‘declared’ by law, which means landowners must remove or control them on their land. For more information on identifying and managing declared weeds please visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.

To manage weeds in reserves and roadsides council uses a variety of methods including chemical, physical removal by hand or using machinery, planting more appropriate species and applying mulch to smother weeds.

When controlling weeds, it is important to consider timing, methods and ability to follow up. Weeds are persistent and will keep trying to come back. Council takes a strategic approach to weed management

If you have concerns about uncontrolled weeds on residential reserves, please notify us.

Lodge a request for weed removal

One of the worst ‘declared’ weeds in this region is Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris)

Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) is a flat, sprawling, annual herb with numerous green to reddish brown stems radiating from a crown. It is also known as Three Cornered Jack or Bindii. Each Caltrop plant can have hundreds of extremely sharp woody seed capsules, which can penetrate through tough barriers. Caltrop seed germinates from late spring and through the warmer summer period. New plants grow whenever we get significant rainfalls and it can take many years to control Caltrop as seeds can remain viable for up to 10 years.

Depending on the maturity of the plant, we will treat Caltrop on public land with herbicide or manually remove and dispose of by deep burial at a registered landfill. If you see any Caltrop weeds, please report to us.

Report Caltrop weeds

For more information on Caltrop please refer to the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges fact sheet. 

If you don’t want to have the verge in front of your house sprayed and you are willing to maintain the area, you can request to go on a Spray Free Zone register.

If you change your mind, you can request to be removed from the register at any time.

Request to be added or removed from our Spray Free Zone register

Council’s role in grass cutting is important in reducing the risk of fire. Bushfires cannot be eliminated from the landscape and there are circumstances when fire cannot be controlled. Council actively monitors growth and weather patterns (seasonal variation) for the most efficient grass cutting programs.

One of the important decision-making factors around when and where to start grass cutting for fuel reduction is when the grass stops growing and has had time to dry off. We monitor the situation and will usually start the grass cutting to the south of our council area, as this area is drier and warmer, and finish in the northern areas, where historically the temperatures are slightly cooler with higher moisture levels in the ground.

Do you wish to report long grass and/or weeds?

Before reporting a fire hazard to us, please consider what the vegetation is. Vegetation which is green and actively growing is not considered a fire hazard until the vegetation is dead and no longer green. Some vegetation may have been left to grow intentionally to support biodiversity and wildlife habitat. These urban grassland areas will include managed fuel breaks to reduce fire risk.

If the vegetation is dead grass and/or weeds over 10cm high, you can complete the fire hazard report below.

Before you make a report, please see examples of what are genuine fire hazards and not fire hazards below.

Report a fire hazard

For more fire hazard information and fact sheets, visit the Department for Environment and Water website: About fire fuel behaviour and bushfire risk.

For more information visit our burning permits and fire management page.

Genuine fire hazard

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Not a fire hazard

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Snake sightings

In South Australia, snakes are a protected species. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act it is an offence to kill or remove a snake from its environment, with fines of up to $10,000 and two-years’ imprisonment.

If you see a snake, contact a licensed snake catcher who will catch and remove the snake. Do not attempt to catch, remove or kill a snake yourself. 

For further information and advice, please visit Department for Environment and Water or our Pets and animals page. 

We share this land with snakes and other wildlife. Snakes are an important part of the natural ecosystem. They have adapted well to urban areas where they like to eat introduced and native species such as rats and mice or frogs and other reptiles.

Snake bites are very uncommon because all snakes see us as a threat and want to avoid confrontation with people, however, they may try to defend themselves if they feel threatened.

Take care when walking through areas of long grass during spring and summer. This is when snakes are likely to be active. Stick to paths at those times and leash your dog. We will maintain mown areas to improve visibility for snakes.

For more information about snakes in urban areas please visit Department for Environment and Water