Invasive pest plants pose a major economic, environmental and social threat to the Gladstone Region. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, all landholders have a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) to manage the risks that invasive pest plants pose.

The main invasive pest plants of concern in the region are:

Giant rat’s tail grass is an aggressive grass that can reduce pasture productivity, out-compete desirable pasture grasses and cause significant degradation of natural areas. It can outcompete, and in some cases, totally eliminate native flora. View factsheet for more information.

Property Pest Management planning

Council offers landholders access to free onsite appointments to assist in the development of a Property Pest Management Plan. While Property Pest Management Plans are not required under the Biosecurity Act 2014, they are an effective planning tool for landholders in managing invasive pest species.

Gladstone Regional Council's Property Pest Management Plans are a three year document and provide details on:

• Location and density of invasive pest infestations on the property
• Best management practice control measures to implement, including types of herbicides, costs and control timing
• Assistance programs available to the landholder.

Invasive Species Grants Program

This program assists landholders in managing containment invasive species listed under the  Gladstone Regional Council Biosecurity Plan. The Invasive Species Grants Program allows landholders to apply for a financial grant of up to $500 per year, to contribute towards the management of containment invasive species on their land within the Gladstone Region.

To be eligible for the program, landholders must:  

• Have a containment pest species infestation (excluding wild dogs) on their property within the Gladstone Region 
• Have a current Property Pest Management Plan with Gladstone Regional Council, outlining what management actions they propose to undertake over a three year period
• Provide a receipt for the purchase of chemical, fuel for mixing with herbicide, hire spray equipment, and/or associated equipment, along with a grant reimbursement application, in line with the actions outlined in the applicable Property Pest Management Plan. 
• Consent to an annual property inspection to assess progress.

Containment Line maps:

Feral Leucaena Giant Rats Tail Grass Parthenium Rubber Vine

Vehicle washdown facilities and hygiene inspections

Council has two 24 hour vehicle weed and seed washdown facilities on Stowe Road, Calliope and Aldoga Drive, Aldoga.

Calliope Washdown Facility is token and coin-operated. The facility takes $1 or $2 coins.

Aldoga Washdown Facility is operated by either $2 coins or AVDATA key. Keys can be purchased at a cost from:

• Gladstone Office, 101 Goondoon Street, Gladstone.
• Calliope Library and Transaction Centre, 3 Don Cameron Drive, Calliope
• AVDATA Australia on (02) 6262 8111.

Weed and seed vehicle inspections are available at the Calliope Washdown Facility and Miriam Vale Depot between 7am - 2pm Monday to Friday. Bookings are mandatory, with a minimum of 24 hours' notice. Bookings between 7am - 8am are free (fees apply outside this time).

Council washdown facilities are there to prevent and minimise the spread of weeds and seeds. The washdown facilities operate on non-potable water and are not to be used for Water trucks or pods to fill containers of water for personal use.

For access to water for personal use please see Standpipe Water.

Biological Control Program

Council operates a biological control facility to assist landholders with the management of invasive pest plants within the Gladstone Region. Biological control involves the use of insects or pathogens (diseases) that affect the health of weeds.

The distribution of biocontrol agents is undertaken in accordance with a permit issued under the Biosecurity Act 2014. As a result, there is an administrative process that requires the collection of information and assessment of applications from landholders to arrive at a recommended treatment option.

Council currently has salvinia weevil available for biological control of salvinia (Salvinia molesta).

Salvinia is a free-floating aquatic fern and classified as a category 3 pest plant under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014 and is classed as a Weeds of National Significance. Salvinia must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment. This means that landholders must take steps to keep their land and water free of this plant.

The salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae) originates from the same native range in Brazil as salvinia. The salvinia weevil is 2–3 mm long and dark brown to black. It is most effective when air temperatures are 27–35ºC and plant nitrogen levels are high. The adult weevils feed on the salvinia plant, but most damage is done by the larvae, which tunnel into the plant's stem (rhizome). This causes the plant to turn brown, lose buoyancy and sink. Weevils need time to increase their population to a size where they are eating the salvinia quicker than it can grow. Depending on the size of the infestation and the environmental conditions, the time taken for weevils to control salvinia varies from 1–3 years.

All Gladstone residents are eligible to apply for this control (free of charge) to manage pest plant infestations on private property.

For further information on Gladstone Regional Council's Biological Control Program, or to apply, please contact Council on (07) 4970 0700.

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