FAQs
- Part One: Treatment Schedule - July 2025: The City of Hobart will coordinate contractors to chemically treat each individual plant using best practice methods. The herbicide used will be aquatic safe and the methodology will use the minimum necessary to ensure the treatment is effective.
- Part two: Removing Crack Willow Weed - October 2025: Contractors will safely remove the treated crack willow trees.
- Part three: Re-vegetation - October 2025: New plants will be planted to replace the removed crack willow weeds.
What is the Sandy Bay crack willow Removal Project?
The City of Hobart has initiated a three-year project to eliminate the invasive crack willow (Salix fragilis) from Hobart's rivulets and catchments. This project aims to restore our waterways and reduce flood risks.
Why are crack willows being removed?
The "Crack willow" chokes inland waterways, forming dense thickets that lead to flooding and bank erosion. It also displaces native vegetation, reduces oxygen levels for aquatic wildlife, and hinders platypus from foraging and burrowing. Crack willows are not native to Australia and are a ‘declared weed’ due to their negative environmental effect.
How, and when, will they be removed?
The Crack willow will be removed in a three part process.
We will follow up with you and/or the property owner in November this year, to gather feedback and address any questions or concerns.
Why I have been contacted?
Unlike the Hobart Rivulet, most of the crack willows marked for removal along the Sandy Bay Rivulet are on private property – in total 319 have been mapped for removal. Some of these have been identified in your property or in close proximity to it.
To remove many of the crack willows, contractors will need to access private land.
You can help by working with the City of Hobart and our contractors to safely remove crack willows from your property.
Will you need to access my property?
This will depend on where abouts the Crack Willow is on your property, as well as how many of them there are. It is most likely that the Crack Willow is growing near the rivulet, and thus removal will not require access through the front of your property.
The project team will get in touch with you regardless, to let you know when access is being planned.
Will I be notified when the contractor is coming to my property?
For the first phase of the removal process The City of Hobart is likely to be scheduled the crack willow weed treatment in between 14th to 31st July. The contractors will attend the property within these dates. This involves chemical treatment with minimal impact, taking 5-10 minutes per tree.
Do I need to be home when the contractor is coming to my property?
You don’t need to be home during the treatment process. However, if you have any concern or would like to provide any additional information regarding your property, please add this information to the Resident Form.
Is the treatment safe for pets and the surrounding garden?
The contractor will be using an approved aquatic safe herbicide. The name of the herbicide and details will be shared as soon as we have the contractor confirmation.
What happens to the crack willows once they are removed?
Once the Willow trees are removed, we will provide the landowner with replacement native species, appropriate for wet conditions near waterways. The stumps of these willows will stay and degrade over time as your new plants establish. Additionally, we will follow up with you and/or the property owner in November this year, to gather feedback and assist with any questions or concerns.
What are the long-term impacts of the removal?
The removal of crack willow will reduce flood risks, protect infrastructure, and enhance the resilience of the Sandy Bay and Dynyrnne communities. It will also improve the health of our waterways and support both the aquatic ecosystem and native terrestrial wildlife.
Can I replace the crack willow for another tree or plant?
For each willow tree removed, the City of Hobart is offering 2 to 5 free trees or plants to replace it. You can choose from a variety of options completing the Resident Form.
Will the City be able to help with re-vegetation?
If you need support planting the trees/ plants offered by City of Hobart to replace the willow tree(s), the City of Hobart can organise a contractor to support you if that without any extra cost. You can request this service completing the Resident Form. Additionally, City of Hobart will be responsible to replace the willow trees in public land to support the environment.
Who should I contact if I have any concern about the removal in my property?
The City of Hobart Waterways Team will be in touch with you shortly. If you have any immediate questions, please contact the project manager Daniel Rhodes on 0429 155 549.
Additionally, we will follow up with you and/or the property owner in November this year, to gather feedback and assist with any questions or concerns.