Photo Caption (L-R): Bourke Shire Council Mayor Barry Holman, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, and Bourke Shire Council General Manager Ross Earl. Bourke Shire Council has received Federal Government funding to lead a wild dog management project on behalf of Western NSW combined shires including Brewarrina, Cobar and Central Darling.
Six local shire councils in the Parkes electorate will reap the benefits of more than $740,000 of Federal Government funding to control pest animals and weeds.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Bourke Shire Council, Dubbo Regional Council and Narrabri Shire Council will lead local projects with the grant funding, provided under Round 2 of the Communities Combating Pest and Weed Impacts During Drought Program.
“Management of pests and weeds poses a significant challenge for farmers under normal conditions, but for some years we’ve been contending with a severe drought in the Parkes electorate which has exacerbated these issues,” Mr Coulton said.
“We know that wild dogs are an enormous issue out west and wreak havoc on natural landscapes and entire livelihoods – so I’m thrilled Bourke Shire Council is leading a project on behalf of Western NSW combined shires including Brewarrina, Cobar and Central Darling, to bolster their wild dog management efforts.
“Anything we can do now to help our communities to control scourges of pests and weeds is an investment in our future.
“Another project will be run by Dubbo Regional Council and will see them work with local landowners to manage pests like rabbits, wild dogs and feral pigs, along with some of our most detrimental weeds including blackberry, African boxthorn and serrated tussock.
“Congratulations to Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Central Darling, Dubbo and Narrabri Shire Councils on their success – I look forward to seeing these projects evolve.”
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said 33 local government areas will share in $10 million under Round 2 of the program.
“We are delivering on another election commitment to help farmers and landholders manage pests and weeds at a time when they are least able to do so,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This program aims to reduce the detrimental economic, social and environmental effects associated with pest animals and weeds during drought.”
The Communities Combating Pest and Weed Impacts During Drought Program funding is used by local councils to support farmers and land managers reduce the impacts of pest animals and weeds on agriculture and the environment, and to stimulate local economies and employment.
For more details about the program visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance/pest-management
Background
- Round 1 of the program saw Bourke Shire Council receive $926,000 on behalf of six western division shires for wild dog management, while Narrabri Shire Council received $127,680 to address biosecurity and pest animal issues.
- 23 projects are being funded under Round 2 of the program.
- Nationally, the annual cost of established vertebrate pest animals is about $800 million, 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.
- Round 1 of the program saw $15 million delivered in 2018-19 for 48 pest and weed management and wild dog exclusion fencing projects in drought-affected areas.
Lead Recipient | Funding Amount | Project Details |
Bourke Shire Council
(on behalf of Western NSW combined shires)
Consortium councils: Brewarrina Shire Council, Cobar Shire Council, Central Darling Shire Council. |
$234,418.48 | Western NSW combined shires engaged community wild dog control project
The Western NSW Combined Shires Engaged Community Dog Control Project is designed to develop individual and group capacity through 3 x sub-projects: Sub Project 1 – Training, Education and Awareness – A comprehensive training and awareness program which delivers an intensive series of training and awareness and different levels across the region. Awareness materials developed specifically for the region will be deployed during the life of the project and designed for a long shelf-life for ongoing awareness. Sub Project 2 – Seasonal Baiting and GPS Collaring – A co-funded incentive-based scheme to support group networks and increase participation and communication as well as increase scientific knowledge of program efficacy. Sub Project 3 – Professional Wild Dog Controllers – A program designed to strengthen the group model for participation, and enhance the training and awareness provided throughout the life of the project.
|
Dubbo Regional Council | $274,020.00 | Combating pest animals and weeds across the drought-affected Dubbo Regional LGA
This project will enable Dubbo Regional Council to work with rural landowners in the Dubbo Regional Local Government Area that have been crippled by the drought. It will provide assistance to manage control practices of priority weeds including blackberry, serrated tussock and African boxthorn and pest animals including feral pigs, rabbits and wild dogs. Council’s Natural Resource Officers in conjunction with Central West Local Land Services Officers will identify farmers and rural landowners that are impacted and require assistance to combat these pests. Control work will occur through aerial and ground baiting for rabbits and pigs. This control work will be in conjunction with boxthorn and blackberry destruction. |
Narrabri Shire Council | $233,200.00 | Combating weed biosecurity matter and pest animal issues in the Brigalow Creek, Bundock/Middle Creek and Yarrie Lake districts whilst trying to stimulate the local economy
*Undertake weed biosecurity control action by instilling measures to prevent the infestation in the proposed project area. |