PESTS ACROSS WESTERN QUEENSLAND UNDER THE GUN

February 9, 2007

Pest animals and weeds across Western Queensland are in the firing line following the approval of 10 projects worth more than $2.37 million under an historic Queensland Government pest program.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced successful projects under the Queensland Government’s $11 million Reclaim the Bush: A Pest Offensive, part of the government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative.

Recipients and their partner organisations will contribute a further $17.9 million in cash and in-kind support, taking the Pest Offensive’s total to almost $28.2 million.

Desert Channels Queensland will receive more than $1.36 million for four projects, McKinlay Shire Council will receive $640,000, Ilfracombe Shire Council will receive almost $130,000, Quilpie Shire more than $90,000 and Winton Shire Council will receive $150,000.

Mr Wallace said pest animals and invasive weeds were a significant threat to Queensland, costing the state more than $700 million a year in lost production and control costs.

“Desert Channels Queensland will undertake projects that target species like coral cactus, mesquite and parkinsonia,” Mr Wallace said.

“And they will establish a Weed Spotters network for the region for surveillance and early detection of new weed threats.”

Mr Wallace said McKinlay Shire Council would receive $640,000 for wash-down facilities, eradication of the woody weed mesquite and coordinated programs to control feral pigs and wild dogs.

“McKinlay Shire’s project aims to reduce feral pig and wild dog populations to levels that can be managed by local landholders,” Mr Wallace said.

“And their proposals to upgrade wash-down facilities and eradicate hybrid mesquite are highly strategic at the local, regional, state and national scale.”

Mr Wallace said Quilpie Shire Council’s allocation would fund a survey to detect and control mesquite and parkinsonia infestations in the Warrego and BullooRiver catchments.

“This project is highly strategic as it targets small, outlying infestations that have the potential to invade areas that are free of these weeds,” Mr Wallace said.

Mr Wallace said Ilfracombe Shire Council would receive almost $130,000 for wash-down facilities, while Winton’s grant of $150,000 would be used to target outlying infestations of prickly acacia and parkinsonia.

“I would like to congratulate these groups on the high quality of their proposals. The work they are doing is vitally important,” Mr Wallace said.

A list of successful projects in western Queensland is below.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.