Budget Funding to Eradicate Pests and Feral Animals
Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Funding totalling $10 million is included in the State Budget to continue the fight against fire, pest plants and feral animals to protect biodiversity in Queensland’s extensive network of national parks.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said control of fire, pest plants and animals is a vital part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s management of parks, forests and other lands under its responsibility.
“Next year’s budget includes $5.5 million for fire control and $4.5 million for pest and feral animal eradication programs to continue to protect the national estate from these threats to the state’s biodiversity,” Mr McNamara said.
“Invasion by pest species is now acknowledged worldwide as one of the biggest threats to biological diversity.
“Feral animals and weeds are second only to vegetation clearing as a threat to our wildlife.
“Feral animals can have major impacts on native animals by preying on them, by competing for food and by damaging ecosystems.
“Pest weeds can have a significant impact on specific habitats and native animal food sources, while others can affect numerous species, ecological processes and ecosystems.
“Overall, these impacts can lead to reduction of native species and their habitats and in some cases lead to their extinction.
“Many of the EPA’s 80-plus projects are ongoing ones such as feral pig control in the Wet Tropics and goat control in western Queensland.
“Important new projects include:
• control of the recently-declared weed, gamba grass, at Kalinga National Park on Cape York Peninsula.
• early intervention to halt Miconia vine in a section of the Daintree;
• control of rubber vine infestations in Cape Upstart National Park near Bowen;
• eradication of palm grass on Bellthorpe Forest Reserve; and
• containment of African boxthorn across several parks in the Western Darling Downs.”
Mr McNamara said the EPA cooperates with Biosecurity Queensland, other state agencies, local governments and neighbours in programs across the landscape, not just on EPA-managed land.
The overall pest management priorities for the State Government are to:
• prevent the introduction or spread of any declared plant or animal;
• undertake co-operative pest control programs with neighbouring landholders, Biosecurity Queensland and local government; and
• protect natural and cultural values, including threatened species and ecosystems, by eradicating pests or significantly reducing their impacts.
“The success of control programs is demonstrated through diminished damage to the environment,” Mr McNamara said.
“Programs will be implemented to target feral horses, pigs, goats and foxes in identified areas across the state.
“Many of the identified Weeds of National Significance will also be targeted.
“An important part of managing pests across the landscape is to work closely and co-operatively with neighbours, rural communities and other government agencies in accordance with the EPA Good Neighbour Policy.”
Mr McNamara said that with this level of funding, the EPA continues to make inroads into this significant and on-going task.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said control of fire, pest plants and animals is a vital part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s management of parks, forests and other lands under its responsibility.
“Next year’s budget includes $5.5 million for fire control and $4.5 million for pest and feral animal eradication programs to continue to protect the national estate from these threats to the state’s biodiversity,” Mr McNamara said.
“Invasion by pest species is now acknowledged worldwide as one of the biggest threats to biological diversity.
“Feral animals and weeds are second only to vegetation clearing as a threat to our wildlife.
“Feral animals can have major impacts on native animals by preying on them, by competing for food and by damaging ecosystems.
“Pest weeds can have a significant impact on specific habitats and native animal food sources, while others can affect numerous species, ecological processes and ecosystems.
“Overall, these impacts can lead to reduction of native species and their habitats and in some cases lead to their extinction.
“Many of the EPA’s 80-plus projects are ongoing ones such as feral pig control in the Wet Tropics and goat control in western Queensland.
“Important new projects include:
• control of the recently-declared weed, gamba grass, at Kalinga National Park on Cape York Peninsula.
• early intervention to halt Miconia vine in a section of the Daintree;
• control of rubber vine infestations in Cape Upstart National Park near Bowen;
• eradication of palm grass on Bellthorpe Forest Reserve; and
• containment of African boxthorn across several parks in the Western Darling Downs.”
Mr McNamara said the EPA cooperates with Biosecurity Queensland, other state agencies, local governments and neighbours in programs across the landscape, not just on EPA-managed land.
The overall pest management priorities for the State Government are to:
• prevent the introduction or spread of any declared plant or animal;
• undertake co-operative pest control programs with neighbouring landholders, Biosecurity Queensland and local government; and
• protect natural and cultural values, including threatened species and ecosystems, by eradicating pests or significantly reducing their impacts.
“The success of control programs is demonstrated through diminished damage to the environment,” Mr McNamara said.
“Programs will be implemented to target feral horses, pigs, goats and foxes in identified areas across the state.
“Many of the identified Weeds of National Significance will also be targeted.
“An important part of managing pests across the landscape is to work closely and co-operatively with neighbours, rural communities and other government agencies in accordance with the EPA Good Neighbour Policy.”
Mr McNamara said that with this level of funding, the EPA continues to make inroads into this significant and on-going task.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004