Maranoa MP: Pest Control to Ramp Up on the Western Downs with $395,200
May 12, 2020Controlling the scourge of wild dogs, feral pigs and weeds will be bolstered on the Western Downs, with Maranoa MP David Littleproud securing $395,200 for council to roll out new pest management programs.
“This funding, through the Communities Combatting Pest and Weed Impacts During Drought program, gives the Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) more tools to help drought-affected landholders control pests,” Mr Littleproud said.
“For farmers who have been battling through severe drought, managing outbreaks of wild dogs, feral pigs or weeds can be a fulltime job in itself – and expensive.
“This program will help farmers and landholders in the Western Downs region coordinate trapping, baiting and aerial shooting of feral pigs and wild dogs which is very important for building confidence across the farming sector.
“A second program will map, identify and control weeds, so that paddocks can be better utilised for grazing or cropping..
“The only way to get on top of pests and weeds is to work with neighbours and the broader community. With this funding, a pest control officer will be appointed to assist landholders in the development of farm pest plans and mapping infestations.
“While there was very welcome rain in the Western Downs region 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, farmers will be saving livestock and their paddocks from pests and weeds, which will open more doors in how they run their enterprise and make a quid.”
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
Programs on the Western Downs include:
Weed Identification, Mapping and Control | Coordinate control and chemical application, mapping and monitoring. |
Feral Pig and Wild Dog Program | Trapping, baiting and coordinated aerial shooting |
Employment of a project support officer | Assist landholders mapping infestations, monitoring, evaluation and development of pest plans. |
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
View by month
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016