Strong interest in Queensland Pest Animal Symposium this month

More than 200 people have already registered for the inaugural Queensland Pest Animal Symposium to be supported by the State Government on the Darling Downs this month.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Kerry Shine said registrations had been received from across Australia and New Zealand for the three-day symposium (24-26 October) to be held at Highfields, north of Toowoomba.

“As the inaugural symposium and the Government’s recent funding commitments to tackle pests, I believe there will be strong interest in the event,” Mr Shine said.

The symposium will focus on prevention, harvesting and hunting, managing impacts of pest animals.

As part of the Blueprint for the Bush strategy announced in June this year, the Government committed an additional $11 million over three years for the Reclaim the Bush – A Pest Offensive program.

The program targets new pest and wed threats as well as wild dogs, feral pigs and woody weeds.

Mr Shine said as the Member for Toowoomba North, he also welcomed the benefits for the local region from hosting the symposium at the Highfields Cultural Centre, north of Toowoomba.

A number of field trips are planned for the symposium, including a tour of the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre near Inglewood.

Details and registration forms for the symposium are available at: www.pestanimalsymposium.com.au

8 October 2006

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3896 3689 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au