Pests and Weeds
Pest species degrade natural ecosystems, impact on agricultural productivity, threaten biodiversity, can impact on human health and interfere with recreational and cultural uses and values of an area.
Invasive pest plants
Property Pest Management planning
Invasive Species Grants Program
Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme
Vehicle washdown facilities and hygiene inspections
Biological Control Program
To manage pest species throughout the Gladstone Region, Gladstone Regional Council has developed the Gladstone Regional Council Biosecurity Plan 2016-2019. The plan identifies a number of broad actions and goals that Council will work towards in managing invasive plants and animals.
Invasive pest plants
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:
Annual Ragweed Maderia Vine Groundsel Bush Mother of Millions Rubber Vine Water Hyacinth Hymenachne Feral Leucaena Parthenium Water Lettuce Broadleaved Pepper Tree Giant Rats Tail Grass
To assist landholders in meeting this obligation, Gladstone Regional Council provides a number of invasive pest plant programs.
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
In 2017, Gladstone Regional Council developed a program to assist landholders in managing containment invasive species listed under the Gladstone Regional Council Biosecurity Plan 2016-2019. 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, 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.
Containment Line maps:
Feral Leucaena Giant Rats Tail Grass Parthenium Rubber Vine
Taskforce Herbicide Subsidy Scheme
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.
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 St, Gladstone
- Calliope Office, 5 Don Cameron Dr, 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).
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.