Rubber vine weed found in Lockyer Valley for first time in 54 years

A pest manager has accidentally unearthed one of the nation's worst weeds in Queensland's Lockyer Valley.

Lockyer Valley pasture-management consultant Kyal Grant was researching one weed in Forest Hill, near Gatton, when he stumbled across another — rubber vine — a toxic pest not seen in the region for more than 50 years.

"We definitely weren't expecting it,"

Mr Grant said.

"There's approximately 20 plants there but, given how prolific it is, if there's one little bit there, it would be quite a fair assumption to say that there'll be more."

Though it was a chance encounter, Mr Grant said his "obsessive personality" probably helped him identify the infestation.

"I'm pretty pedantic about and passionate about weeds, especially woody weeds," he said.

"Far North Queensland's got a big p