Wyong Council noxious weeds officer Paul Marynissen spotted a kudzu infestation next to Chandlers Lane, but said that so far no other outbreaks had been found in the shire.

It is just the second kudzu find this far south, and is thought to have sprouted after scattering from farm machinery.

The weed has already devastated parts of southeast Queensland, an outbreak likened to that state's problem with cane toads.

Kudzu has thrived in the US since the 1950s, spreading mainly between Florida and Louisiana.

It grows at a rate of 30 centimetres a day, and has been nicknamed 'mile-a-minute' and 'the vine that ate the South'.

The Wyong infestation was around 400 square metres, Mr Marynissen said, and thought to have sprouted in contaminated soil.

A Lake Macquarie Council spokesperson said weed officers were so far unaware of any kudzu weed in the city areas, but said the area does have a growing problem with a similar though not so virulent weed known as morning glory which smothers entire forests and is almost impossible to eradicate once it has a foothold in bush or forest .

Experts say the species has a pretty blue flower but is nevertheless an environmental disaster.

The council is urging anyone who discovers weed outbreaks to report the location on 4921 0333.