TABLELANDS REGIONAL COUNCIL Land Protection Management Action Plan 2008 2012 Bellyache Bush Wild Dog Gamba Grass Created by Health & Environment Department, Tablelands Regional Council and Referenced to Far North Queensland Regional Pest Management Plan October 2008
Table of Contents Description Page No. Table of Contents; Description Introduction 1 Pest Management Purpose Statement 1 & 2 Roles & Responsibilities of Stakeholders 3 & 4 Prevention/Inhibition of Spread 5 Community Awareness & Education 6 Cross Program Consistency 7 Early Detection & Intervention 8 & 9 Information Handling & Communication 10 Pest Prevention 11 Local Action - Plan Review Procedure 12 Pest Species Priority Action Plan 13
Introduction The Tablelands Regional Council Land Protection Management Action Plan is designed to be used in partnership with the Far North Queensland Local Government Pest Advisory Committees Regional Pest Management Plan (Last reviewed February 2006) this is to ensure consistency in Pest Management planning and delivery from a Local to a Regional scale. Links between the regional plan and the local plan will allow better use of the resources available to strategically address priority pests and provide more efficient and cost - effective meeting of Local Government responsibilities under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. The integration of both the regional and Local Action plan will provide direct linkages to State and Federal Government initiatives and other planning layers. The main objective of this plan is to identify, record and prevent the spread of pest plants and animals within the Tablelands Regional Council. Tablelands Regional Council Corporate Plan Vision The Tableland Regional Council area will be a prosperous community where residents enjoy a high quality of life in an area of significant natural, cultural and economic diversity. Our Values and Principles Excellence in service delivery Economy and efficiency Equity and fairness Respect and trust Accountability and integrity Community engagement Date: October 2008-1 -
Corporate Plan Linkage Environment and Climate change 1.1 Natural environment Desired Outcome Environmental values and biodiversity are protected, maintained and rehabilitated where achievable Strategy 1.1.4 Eradicate, reduce or contain pests (both animal and plant). Land Protection Management Purpose Statement The Purpose of this Land Protection Management Plan is to identify for the Tablelands Regional Council, Department of Natural Resources and Water, Queensland Rail, Ergon Energy, Environmental Protection Agency National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Main Roads, Sun Water, Community groups, DPI & F Biosecurity Queenland and the General Public: 1. The role to be played by the Tablelands Regional Council and other stakeholders in relation to land management and pest control, 2. The means by which land management and Pest control is to be achieved within the Tablelands Regional Council. The Land Protection Management Action Plan will continue to develop as specific needs are recognised by the Health & Environment Department, Pest Management Advisory Committees, State Departments and the general public. This Plan will continue to develop as specific needs are recognised by the Pest Management Officers, working group members, and the general public. New goals will be set and practices reviewed to ensure consistency with Lands Protection (Pest & Stock Route Management) Act 2002, Regional priorities and to ensure the latest management practices are used for pest control in the Council area. The Land Protection Management Action Plan will be reviewed by Council and relevant Stakeholders annually or as required to ensure the efficiency and relevance of the Plan. Date: October 2008-2 -
Roles & Responsibilities PMAC Strategic Objective To clarify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders to the TRC - PMAC. Strategic Action Stakeholder Representative Role Tablelands Regional Council Full Council Manager Health & Environment Land Protection Officer Date: October 2008-3 - - To provide relevant information to the Pest Management Advisory Committees, - To provide a link to Council for adoption of policy matters - To provide technical advice to Council and the Pest Advisory Committees - To implement the Land Protection Management Action Plan on Council land and to enforce legislation where applicable on other lands - To undertake control works and liaise with State & Federal government to implement duties under the State Act and Federal legislation and implement the Land Protection Management Plan - Liaise with officers of DPI & F, QPW, Sun Water and Land holders to implement control strategies
Queensland Department Primary Industries & Fisheries Other State Government Departments: - Main Roads - QR - EPA - DPI & F - Natural Resources & Water unallocated State Land Management Unit (NRWUSL) Land Protection Officer & Others as required Environmental Officer Track Section Supervisor Resource Ranger Regional Representatives Queensland Bio-Security Officers - To provide relevant information and advice on declared pests. - To ensure consistent application on State lands where Council cannot legally enforce Act - To ensure compliance with legislation and LPMP on land under DPI & F control - To consider Tablelands Regional Council Land Protection Management Plan issues in the development of Departmental policies and plans - To provide leadership and relevant skills development - To contribute to local and regional weed data collection and data management. - To implement obligations under the Act - To participate in local extension activities such as Weed Buster Week/Show - To distribute information within the organisation so that relevant personnel are informed - To ensure programs of inspection of land under their control is carried out on a regular basis - To ensure adequate resources are allocated to Pest Management issues within their department - To actively participate in meetings and functions held by Councils Pest Management Advisory Committees and Department staff - To actively participate in pest management policy development and review - To consider Tablelands Regional Council Land Protection Management Action Plan issues in development of Departmental Policies and Plans - To contribute to local weed data collection Industry/Community Representatives: - BRICMA - JRCMA - Terrain NRM - QDO Queensland Dairy Organisation - Agricultural Farmers Representatives - Agforce - Ergon Date: October 2008-4 - - To ensure the representative group is informed of the legislation, Land Protection Management Action Plan and relevant information - To provide technical advice on how pest management can be implemented in their industry - To assist with extension on pest management issues within their industry - To actively participate in meetings and functions held by Tablelands Pest Advisory Committees - Tablelands Regional Council will operate two separate Pest Management Advisory Committees based on the split of the Northern area and Southern areas of the Council region and the Committee will meet with representatives of the organisations suggested in the table above on a regular basis and provide advice to Council and
- FNQROC Pest Management Project Officer - Landholders - TREAT - Conservation Volunteers Australia - Sun Water annually review this Land Protection Management Action Plan. - To actively participate in pest management policy development and revision - To encourage practical industry standards to be adopted and implemented - To consider Tableland Regional Council Land Protection Management issues in development of Industry/Organisation Policies, Plans, Management Systems and Codes of Practice - Ensure Traditional owner interests and aspirations are met - TO contribute to local weed data collection Date: October 2008-5 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Prevention/Inhibition of Spread To minimise and reduce the spread of pests in the region. Strategic Action By whom When Success Indicators PS1 Encourage the use of the Land Protection Management Local Action Plan PS2 Establish strategic wash down facility locations across the region PS3 Enforce landholders compliance with declared pests and non declared environmental pests adjacent to environmentally significant areas PS4 Target pest fact sheets to relevant property owners PS5 Develop incentive programs to foster strategic pest control PS6 Participate in Weed Watch program PS7 Effect on ground priority pest control as per state strategies PMAC DPI&F Extension Officers QMPW TRC H & E Department DPI&F FNQROC DPI&F LPO Date: October 2008-6 - Continual - Local Action Plan implemented across the region December 2010 - Strategic wash down facility locations determined by December 2009 - Funding available in 2009/2010 budget for strategic wash down facilities Immediate - Notices be served as required DPI&F - LPO Continual - Pest facts sheets sent out to new landholders in the region targeting priority weeds areas TRC December 2010 - Incentive programs in place DPI&F Extension Officers DPI&F - LPO As Required - Facilitate local volunteer groups to participate in the program eg Landcare Ongoing - Prioritisation with state strategies
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Community Awareness & Education - To ensure wide understanding of pest issues within the region including pest identification and control responsibilities. Strategic Action By whom When Success Indicators CE1 Display and distribute pest fact, weed ID declarations CE2 Develop local awareness program using local media & schools DPI & F LPO PMAC Other Stakeholders PMAC DPI & F LPO Ongoing - Information available to public - Internet links on Council s website to pest facts and weed id declarations etc. Continual - Awareness programs operational CE3 Involvement in Weed Buster Week and Tablelands Regional Shows CE4 Distribute Pest facts sheets to relevant property owners CE5 Improve signage for weed risk areas CE6 as per PS5 DPI & F - LPO DPI & F - LPO Main Roads Department DPI & F - LPO Annually Weedbuster Week & Show - 80% contribution by members Annually - Pest facts sheets sent out to new landholders in the region targeting areas where priority weeds are prevalent As required - 90% of critical (P1 are new incursion sites) sign posted in public areas by December 2008 - All road side infestations sign marked Date: October 2008-7 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Cross Program Consistency to ensure there is a consistent approach to pest management across all Local Government programs/policies. Strategic Action By whom When Success Indicators PC1 Seek endorsement of H & E Department December 2008 - Policy adopted by December 2008 regional policy with Council PC2 PC3 As per PP5 LPOs Ongoing - Filing system in place by December 2008 PC4 Declared environmentally significant areas to include those areas listed as National Parks State Forests, Council Reserves, Conservation Parks, Forest Reserves, Wet Tropic World Heritage Areas and communities listed under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and Nature Refuges H & E Department December 2011 - All environmentally significant areas listed in a register by Council PC5 Remove weed ornamentals from Council land and discourage their propagation PMO December 2008 - All weedy ornamentals assessed and relevant staff informed not to propagate and existing plantings removed. Date: October 2008-8 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Early Detection & Intervention To ensure that pests in early stages of invasion are detected, contained and treated to minimise their chances of establishing within the region. Strategic Action DI 1 Plan and Implement treatment for all new incursions of weeds DI 2 Survey and Map new incursions DI 3 Monitor habitats vulnerable to new incursions DI 4 Monitor Priority Areas for new weed outbreaks DI 5 Issue targeted Pest Alerts and identification kits DI6 Enforcement compliance with regard to high priority pest DPI & F - LPO DPI & F Qld Bio-security QPW DPI & F - LPO QPW DPI & F LPO DPI & F LPO QPW Sun Water DPI & F - LPO Ongoing - All new incursions treated and controlled within two (2) months of initial notification of a new pest or infestation. As required - Mapping completed - Minimum annual follow up of immediate and surrounding sites Continual - List areas and assign a priority rating - Monitoring and map at risk habitats as per frequency required for priority rating - Mapping reflected in staffs plan of inspections Continual - Monitoring and map all priority areas as per frequency required for priority rating - Mapping reflected in staffs plan of inspections Continual - Issue identification information to field staff Immediately as required - Enforcement process commenced within two weeks of initial notification Date: October 2008-9 -
outbreaks - TRC staff to notify DPI & F of any infestations of Class 1 pests DI 7 Participate Weed Watch Program DPI & F Extension Officer PMAC As required - Facilitated local volunteer groups to participate in the area Date: October 2008-10 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Information Handling & Communication to ensure optimal access to current regional pest data. Strategic Action IC1 Provide information for regional pest data base IC2 Regularly report regional distribution and population trends of pest species IC3 Maintain involvement with pest meetings Terrain NRM TRC - LPO TRC - LPO Ongoing Annually as requested by DPI &F TRC H & E Department As required Attendance at all meetings Electronic data provided as per quarterly requests from regional group Electronic data provided to DPI & F and Terrain NRM to update maps. Date: October 2008-11 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Strategic Objective Pest Prevention to ensure that pests are excluded from or prevented from establishing within the region. Strategic Action PP1 circulate current alert lists to Land Protection Staff PP2 Council to ensure that there are no potential weeds propagated deliberately in Parks or Gardens PP3 Agreements with nursery seed and stock supplies saleyards and produce transport operations to prevent weed spread PP4 - Establish an understanding with Main Roads and Qld Rail as well as Sun Water and Ergon Energy for the inspection and control of weeds in transport and water and electricity corridors DPI & F AQIS Ongoing - List available from Council offices TRC - LPO Ongoing - Potential weeds removed from Parks & Gardens across the region - Revegetation unit aware not to propagate potential weedy species December 2010 - Agreements reached with all mentioned stakeholders Local nursery & Landscape - Distribution of prevention methods in weed seed suppliers spread TRC H & E Department QR MRD Sun Water Ergon Energy December 2009 - Agreements with stakeholders operational by December 2009 Date: October 2008-12 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan - Review Procedure Annual Review TRC H & E Department and PMAC to review the plan at least once a year to assess efficiency of the plan and to suggest changes with regard to weed incursions and pest animal proliferation to keep the plan up to date Intermediate Review Regional Review Council may review the plan at any time on submission from Pest Management Advisory Committees, the Public or Council. Where the changes are considered by Council Officers to be significant the Pest Management Advisory Committees shall be advised in writing for comment and if desirable a general meeting may be held. Any recommendations from a review of the Regional Pest management Plan will be considered in the context of the Local Action Plan Date: October 2008-13 -
Tablelands Land Protection Management Local Action Plan Pest Prioritisation Program As part of the Council s regional action plan, the Land Protection Officer s have to prioritise weed and feral animal control works and the table set out below sets the priorities for action during the period of this management plan. The list of plants and animals will be amended annually or as required depending on priorities and incursions by new weeds or pest animals. Pest Species Priority Status Declaration Level Control Management Strategy Siam Weed 1 1 A Miconia Tree 1 1 A Kosters Curse 1 1 A Thunbergia laurifolia 1 1 C Parthenium 1 2 B Fire Weed 1 2 A Giant Rats Tail Grass 2 2 B & C Hymenachne 2 2 B & C Madiera Vine 2 2 B & C Water Lettuce 2 2 B Salvinia 2 2 B & G Giant Sensitive Weed 2 2 C Thunbergia grandiflora 2 2 C & B Rubber Vine 2 2 C & B & G Tobacco Weed 2 2 B & C & D Pond Apple 2 2 A Date: October 2008-14 -
Parkinsonia 2 2 A Belly Ache Bush 2 2 A Gamba Grass 2 2 D & E Brilliantaisia lamium 2 MSC A Stevia ovata 2 Nil A Wild Dogs 2 2 F Mikania Vine 3 1 A Annual Ragweed 3 2 B Cabomba 3 2 F Chinee Apple 3 2 E Lantana 3 3 G Spiny Emix 3 ASC A Dutchman s Pipe 3 3 B & E South East Waitawhile 3 Nil C & A Turbina 3 Nil F Navua Sedge 3 Nil C & D & E Cats Claw Creeper 3 Nil C Feral Pigs 3 2 F Deer 3 Nil C & F Other Weeds on Roads and Reserves 3 Nil E Legend Control Level Allocations A B C D E F G Total eradication Eradication of isolated infestations Containment Control in Buffer zones Control on Road sides and Reserves Integrated Management Biological control Date: October 2008-15 -