22 January 2020
Southern Downs Regional Council is vying for its share of funds through round 2 of the Australian Government’s Communities Combating Pest and Weed Impacts During Drought Program, which offers eligible local governments the opportunity to apply for up to $1,000,000.
The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Council was invited to apply as one of the 138 local governments nationally and 19 in Queensland considered to be significantly impacted by drought. Eligible local governments may apply for up to $1,000,000 across multiple projects.
Today, Councillors voted to endorse applications being submitted for a range of invasive pest control projects.
Council will submit the following projects in its application to Round 2 of the program:
· Demonstration Wild Dog Cluster Fencing - $320,000
This project aims to use innovative electric and traditional fencing solutions to erect cluster fencing in the Pikes Creek locality by providing subsidies to participating landholders.
· Control of wild dogs and feral cats - $230,000
This project proposes the use of complementary measures to monitor and control populations of wild dogs and feral cats which represent two of the region’s key invasive pests.
· Invasive Pest Mapping - $450,000
This project proposes the integration of high resolution drone and satellite imagery with distribution modelling under present and climate change scenarios to map key invasive plants throughout the Southern Downs.
Council was successful in its application to Round 1 of the program in 2019 for a $1,000,000 wild dog exclusion fencing project. This exclusion fencing project seeks to ensure the viability of a sustainable sheep and wool industry within the region. These funds are being used to augment Council’s $700,000 exclusion fencing project funded through the State Government’s Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.
Southern Downs Regional Council has been leading the way in pest management with the Invasive Pests Control Scheme introduced in 2017. This scheme aims to reduce land infested with invasive animals and weeds by 415,000 hectares by 2030. The proposed projects will help achieve that target and greatly assist the region’s landholders through reduced impacts to productivity and the environment.
More information will be provided when feedback regarding program applications is received.
Residents are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest SDRC news by visiting www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/news , by calling 1300 697 372, or by following SDRC social media pages.