Big boost to tackle established pests and weeds in Wide Bay

• New Australian Government funding of $20 million to be matched by over $20 million in funding from states and territories
• Funding will reduce the impact of pests and weeds on agricultural production, our native wildlife and the environment, and the community.

A $20 million investment by the Federal Government, matched dollar for dollar by state and territory governments, will help farmers to manage and eradicate problematic pests and weeds.
 
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said pest animals and weeds pose a significant threat to Australia’s primary production, environment and biodiversity.
 
“Pests and weeds are a huge and growing problem for Australia’s agriculture and environment,” Minister Littleproud said.
 
“Projects will reduce the overall burden of pests and weeds through activities such as coordinated control, destruction and removal, including trapping, baiting and culling along with biological control release.”
 
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the funding would provide on-ground support for land managers, including through Indigenous rangers and national resource management groups, for pest animal and weed reduction activities.
 
“A reduction of pest animals and weeds will lead to more productive and profitable industries, help to protect and recover threatened species, and benefit native wildlife and the environment in Wide Bay and nationally,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
Projects will target nationally-significant pest and weed species, such as feral deer, feral pigs, cats, foxes, rabbits, wild dogs and a range of invasive weeds across identified hot spots.
 
“This funding helps conserve and protect habitat and the environment while reducing the burden on local landholders and improving agricultural productivity,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
For more information see: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/pest-animals-and-weeds
Fast Facts:

• This funding expands on the $29.1 million Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program (2021-22 to 2024-25) to deliver better solutions to combat established pest animals and weeds. The total program funding is now $49.1 million.
• Brings Australian Government investment in established pest animal and weed management programs to over $330 million since 2015 (2014-15 to 2024-25).
• Nationally, the annual cost of established vertebrate pest animals is estimated to be $800 million and over $4 billion for weeds in terms of production losses and control activities. The cost to the environment hasn’t been calculated but is likely to be higher.
• A 2019 ABARES survey found land managers spent an average of $8,189 annually on pest animal management, up from $7,304 in 2016.