$405,000 to Assist Drought-Affected Landholders Manage Pests in The Maranoa

May 12, 2020

Controlling the scourge of wild dogs and other vertebrate pests will be a key goal in the Maranoa region, with Maranoa MP David Littleproud securing a $405,000 Federal Government grant for council to bolster pest management practices.

“This funding, through the Communities Combatting Pest and Weed Impacts During Drought program, provides immediate access to baiting products so that drought-affected landholders can quickly respond to pests,” Mr Littleproud said.

“For graziers and farmers who have been battling through severe drought, managing outbreaks of wild dogs, feral pigs or rabbits can be a fulltime job in itself – and expensive.

“The aim of this program is to ensure that the Maranoa Regional Council has more resources to help landholders  manage pests at a time when they are dealing with the effects of drought.

“While there was very welcome rain in the Maranoa in late Summer, it takes more than a couple of good falls to get out of drought and that’s why we’re backing this program to help get our communities through to the other side.

“In the long-term, graziers and farmers will be saving livestock from wild dogs and that will improve confidence and their bottom line.

“This program will also extend to industrial areas which can be a real breeding ground for cats and foxes that move to other properties and in turn create new infestations.”

The Federal Government has invested $10 million through Round Two of the Communities Combatting Pest and Weed Impacts program.

Across Maranoa, $1.2 million has been secured  for the pest and weed control program.

For more details about the Program visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance/pest-management

 

Fast Facts:

• Nationally, the annual cost of established vertebrate pest animals is about $800m and over $4 billion for weeds in production losses and control activities.

 

• A 2016 survey undertaken by ABARES found that agricultural businesses spend an average of $7,023 yearly on pest animal management activities and an average of $17,917 yearly on weed management activities.

ENDS