Published Tuesday, 11 December, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Pest offensive projects helping life on the land
The Queensland Government has committed close to $3.8 million of Blueprint for the Bush – A Pest Offensive funding to targeting major pest impacts faced by people in the bush.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in collaboration with local government, regional natural resources management bodies, industry and other State government departments is taking a strategic approach, focusing on three critical pest management areas - to eradicate new pests, reduce widespread pest impacts and develop innovative solutions for weed and pest animal control.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said prevention was the key to managing weeds.
“This approach is supported in a Local Government Association of Queensland economic report, highlighting that a $1 investment in prevention and eradication can lead to returns of up to $38 and $26 respectively,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Pest Offensive projects target major weeds affecting the state such as mesquite, rubbervine, prickly acacia and parkinsonia. Other weeds in the firing line include belly ache bush, pond apple, athel pine, badhara bush, and coral and snake cactus.
Pest animals targeted include wild dogs and feral pigs.
Recent surveys have indicated that 50 per cent of landholders consider weeds to be their greatest burden.
Mr Mulherin said with rubbervine costing the state grazing industry $8 million and prickly acacia about $9 million we need to work together to reduce these and other pest problems.
“The Pest Offensive program is helping to stop the spread of these pests by assisting people in developing strategic management strategies.’’
Weed seed spread will also be hampered with the proposed construction of new clean down facilities at Julia Creek, Ilfracombe, Taroom, Mitchell, Nanango, Gin Gin and Torres Straight with upgrades to facilities at Gayndah, Injune, Mundubbera and Emerald
Rubbervine invades waterways and threatens by its ability to quickly colonise areas - one of the reasons it is listed as a Weed of National Significance as are mesquite and prickly acacia.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F Kelly Murphy 3239 3014
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in collaboration with local government, regional natural resources management bodies, industry and other State government departments is taking a strategic approach, focusing on three critical pest management areas - to eradicate new pests, reduce widespread pest impacts and develop innovative solutions for weed and pest animal control.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said prevention was the key to managing weeds.
“This approach is supported in a Local Government Association of Queensland economic report, highlighting that a $1 investment in prevention and eradication can lead to returns of up to $38 and $26 respectively,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Pest Offensive projects target major weeds affecting the state such as mesquite, rubbervine, prickly acacia and parkinsonia. Other weeds in the firing line include belly ache bush, pond apple, athel pine, badhara bush, and coral and snake cactus.
Pest animals targeted include wild dogs and feral pigs.
Recent surveys have indicated that 50 per cent of landholders consider weeds to be their greatest burden.
Mr Mulherin said with rubbervine costing the state grazing industry $8 million and prickly acacia about $9 million we need to work together to reduce these and other pest problems.
“The Pest Offensive program is helping to stop the spread of these pests by assisting people in developing strategic management strategies.’’
Weed seed spread will also be hampered with the proposed construction of new clean down facilities at Julia Creek, Ilfracombe, Taroom, Mitchell, Nanango, Gin Gin and Torres Straight with upgrades to facilities at Gayndah, Injune, Mundubbera and Emerald
Rubbervine invades waterways and threatens by its ability to quickly colonise areas - one of the reasons it is listed as a Weed of National Significance as are mesquite and prickly acacia.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F Kelly Murphy 3239 3014