26 June 2020
Southern Downs Regional Council is committed to partnering with the community in aiming for a pest-free future and is encouraging landowners to have a say in how pest management could be improved across the region.
More than five thousand landowners on the Southern Downs will soon receive a questionnaire to complete as part of a Council review of the Invasive Pests Control Scheme (IPCS).
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said Council was conscious that landowners may have experienced financial strain in the wake of COVID-19 and was committed to providing support, advice and relief to farmers.
“As a Council we understand the hardship being experienced across the region due to the ongoing effects of the drought, compounded by the impacts of COVID-19,” said Mayor Pennisi.
“It was with this in mind that we resolved to put a moratorium on applying the IPCS levy in 2020/2021 and we hope this will provide some reprieve from the challenges our landholders are currently facing.”
Councillor for Environmental, Waste, Sustainability and Disaster Management Cameron Gow hoped that landowners would complete the questionnaire and take advantage of the opportunity to provide constructive feedback to Council.
“Landholders aren’t required to complete Control Works Forms this year and will instead receive a letter explaining the change and a questionnaire inviting feedback on how the IPCS can be improved,” Cr Gow said.
“Council is committed to reviewing the Invasive Pest Control Scheme and will use the Pest Management Advisory Committee and feedback from landholders to do so.
“We encourage landholders to keep up their pest control work and to contact our pest management team for advice and assistance with best practice control methods.”
The questionnaire is also available online for all interested parties and stakeholders to complete at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/doing-business/environmental-regulatory-services/invasive-pests-control-scheme/invasive-pest-control-scheme-survey.
The IPCS applies to all invasive pests that are listed as being restricted under the Biosecurity Act or declared under Council’s Local Laws.
Landholders can seek advice or request to arrange a meeting with staff, either in Council’s offices or on-site at their property, by contacting Council on 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372) or by email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.