A biosecurity risk exists when you deal with any pest, disease or contaminant, or with something that could carry one of these. For example, this includes moving diseased plant material, associated soil or equipment off the property.
A biosecurity event is caused by a pest, disease or contaminant that is, or is likely to become, a significant problem for human health, social amenity, the economy or the environment.
Biosecurity Act 2014 - General Biosecurity Obligation
On 1 July 2016, the Biosecurity Act 2014 replaced the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 for legislating the management of pest species in Queensland. Landholders do not need to know about all biosecurity risks but are expected to know about those associated with land management activities.
Residents' general biosecurity obligation means they need to ensure their activities do not spread a pest, disease or contaminant. Outlined below are the responsibilities that landholders are responsible for in relation to managing pest species within the Gladstone Region.
Take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent or minimise each biosecurity risk
Minimise the likelihood of the risk causing a biosecurity event and limit the consequences of such an event
Prevent or minimise the adverse effects the risk could have and refrain from doing anything that might exacerbate the adverse effects.
Gladstone Regional Council will be undertaking a Biosecurity Surveillance Program from 12 May 2020 until 31 October 2020.This aims to monitor the presence, absence, compliance and levels of extent of Giant Rats Tail Grass, Groundsel Bush, Parkinsonia, Parthenium, Chinee Apple and Rubber Vine in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2014.
The program will focus on all areas of our region.
It is imperative Council monitor these pests and measure the effectiveness of control methods implemented by landholders.
The program will operate until 31 October 2020 and involve Council conducting property inspections to carry out controlled actions on pests in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2014 and Council's Biosecurity Surveillance Program.
During a General Council Meeting on 28 April 2020, Gladstone Regional Council resolved to implement an invasive species surveillance program to monitor landholder compliance with the requirements about prohibited matter or restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld).
Gladstone Regional Council is developing a Biosecurity Plan to strengthen and protect the Gladstone Region’s environment and ecosystems from biosecurity risks. In accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2014, the new strategy will replace the current Biosecurity Plan expiring in December 2020.
The plan sets out key objectives and priority actions for our unique region. Key issues include invasive pest plants including giant rats tail grass, parthenium, feral Leucaena, absentee landholders and pest animals including wild dogs, feral pigs, rabbits, foxes, Indian myna birds.
The draft plan has been informed by a significant amount of research, alignment with the Biosecurity Act 2014, and consideration of emerging priorities. It also forms the foundation of Council actions which includes control of land, community education & awareness and compliance & enforcement of the act within the region.
We are now seeking community consultation and feedback on the plan and need your help.
You can become involved by attending a community info session or by completing the draft plan review survey.
For more information, to review the plan, complete the survey and RSVP for a community info session go to conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au/(Survey opens Wednesday 9 September 2020, closes Friday 26 September 2020).
Gladstone Regional Council supports the establishment of Community Catchment Working Groups throughout the region to provide information and advice on pest management topics.
If residents are interested in establishing a catchment working group, please contact Council, who can provide further information and assistance.
The following Catchment Working Groups are currently active within the region:
Boyne Valley Catchment Working Group - Coordinated by Capricornia Catchments
Miriam Vale Rural Science & Landcare Society - Not coordinated by Council.
