The Australian Government is providing $740,000 to South Australia (SA) for two projects to improve the management of priority pest species for SA farmers, land managers and the environment, through a Federation Funding Agreement with states and territories as part of the $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program. Source: Timberbiz
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said these projects would ensure land managers were on the front foot in the fight against established pest animals and weeds, to limit the impact they can have on agriculture, the environment and indigenous heritage.
“One project will see the appointment of a Pest Animal Coordinator to support best practice control of rabbits, deer and foxes, and a Biosecurity Coordinator for Invasive Grasses to support the management of unpalatable perennial grasses”
The coordinators will work together with SA’s regional landscape boards to support landholder groups seeking to improve local coordinated control of priority pests, in turn providing examples for future extension activities.
“The second project will focus on building the capacity of Aboriginal land managers to control Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) through the appointment of a State WoNS coordinator – Aboriginal Lands.
“The WoNS coordinator for Aboriginal lands will work with Indigenous communities and delivery partners, providing advice, coordinating training and establishing management priorities, to improve the coordinated management of WoNS on their lands.” S
A Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham said these roles will leverage the successes of the community engagement model already being used in South Australia to improve land manager skills and capacity, and the coordinated, landscape-scale management of these priority species.
“Australia has some of the most resilient farmers in the world and they do a great job at managing the impact of pest animals and weeds on their land, Minister Littleproud said.
“However, we recognise that there is a need to improve the skills and capacity of farmers and land managers, and the tools available to them, to better manage pest animals and weeds.”
Minister Littleproud acknowledged the significant contribution of the SA government and landscape boards which are providing more than $4 million of cash and in-kind support towards the projects, building on their existing commitment to community-led action for established pest animals and weeds.
“These projects are a great example of how strong collaboration across governments and land managers can improve the management of established pest animals and weeds, said Minister Littleproud.
“The Australian Government’s $5 million in funding, supported by cash and in-kind contributions from the states and territories, will deliver 11 projects across Australia to improve the management of established pest animals and weeds that have a detrimental effect on Australia’s agricultural competitiveness and the environment.”
The Australian Government’s $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program aims to deliver a lasting legacy to farmers, land managers and the wider community in the fight against established pest animals and weeds.
