PESTS ACROSS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND UNDER THE GUN

Pest animals and weeds across southern Queensland are in the firing line following the approval of four projects worth more than $1.4 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.

The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee and Condamine Alliance will receive more than $1.1 million to fight pest animals and weeds, Paroo Shire Council will receive more than $180,000, while Waggamba Shire Council will receive more than $100,000.

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.

“Last year, my department called for applications for funding under the Pest Offensive," Mr Wallace said.

“We encouraged projects that demonstrated partnerships with local government, regional natural resource management groups and Indigenous communities and we gave preference to collaborations that aligned pest management and natural resource management plans.

“The Murray-Darling Committee and its partners will receive more than $870,000 to help stop the spread of weeds by building or upgrading four wash-down facilities and target feral pigs, a major problem in the area, through a coordinated program.

“The Condamine Alliance will receive more than $265,000 for projects that target feral pigs and wild dogs, as well as weeds like tree pear and prickly pear.

“They will also work closely with traditional owners to protect the natural and cultural values of the Bunya Mountains region from the threat of pest animals and weeds.

“This exciting project will link young Aboriginal people with traditional and scientific knowledge to manage pests.”

Mr Wallace said Paroo Shire Council would receive more than $180,000 and Waggamba Shire Council would get $104,000 to attack various types of cactus that had become a significant threat.

“Paroo’s project aims to eradicate coral cactus, snake cactus and hudson pear in the Parroo and Murweh shires,” Mr Wallace said.

“Waggamba Shire Council will target infestations of harissia cactus in the Goondiwindi area," he said.

“These species can be a significant problem in arid and semi arid areas. Cactus infestations invade pastures and pose problems to grazing stock and to native wildlife.

“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 central Queensland is below.

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