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
• Not have received assistance through the Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme for the current financial year
• 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

Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme

Fluproponate, the active ingredient in Taskforce, is the most effective chemical control option for the management of Giant Rats Tail Grass.

Council provide landholders the opportunity to purchase taskforce herbicide at a subsidised rate to control Giant Rats Tail Grass on their property within the Gladstone Region through the Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme.

To be eligible for the scheme, landholders must have a current Property Pest Management Plan with Council. Maximum quantities apply and are dependent on land size and infestation densities and are determined by a Council Pest Management Officer.

Landholders must pay for the chemical prior to collection and consent to an annual property inspection to assess progress.

View the Material Safety Data Sheet for Taskforce

Vehicle washdown facilities and hygiene inspections

Council has two 24 hour vehicle weed and seed washdown facilities located 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 a $2 coin 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 can provide a number of biological control agents (free of charge) to landholders for the management of invasive pest plants within the Gladstone Region.

Invasive pest plants that can be controlled through Council's Biological Control Program include:

• Cats Claw Creeper
• Salvinia
• Lantana.

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