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Local councils work together to manage pests
Councils in the Condamine catchment area of Queensland have begun working together to target pest management.
The goal of the project is to share costs and save funds by working across council boundaries.
"Traditionally, councils have targeted pests and stopped when they reached their council boundary," Condamine Alliance Pest Management Officer Garry Wilson said.
"This strategy helps councils target pest control effectively and, save money by sharing costs - and equipment.
Funding
Clifton, Cambooya and Pittsworth Shire Councils have received funding from the Australian Government and State Governments to develop an integrated pest management strategy.
Support has also been provided by the Queensland Department of Natural Resource Management and Water and Central Downs Landcare.
Activities and achievements
Shire workers on the three councils collaborating in the project are currently mapping and targeting common pests like tree pear, box thorn and honey locusts. Pest data is gathered and will eventually be distributed state-wide assisting all councils in the Condamine area.
"The staff is provided with hand-held GPS units which are used to map targeted pests," Garry said. "This data is then down loaded onto Arcmap database software which in turn can be exported to the State's Department of Natural Resources pest information system,"
"The data will be made available to all catchment areas and can be used as a warning to others about what may happen in their areas."
Garry said there are several aspects that were specific to the project.
"Councils are sharing resources and working together towards one goal," he said. "It's the first time these three councils have collected and provided identical pest information data into one natural resource management approach.
"Eventually, we hope to extend the project to the Queensland Rail and Queensland Transport, Ergon Energy, Powerlink and form networks with their environmental coordinators to develop a wider focus on pest management.
"At this stage, the project has only targeted public land, but eventually we will extend it to private land.
"We aim to expand the project and encourage other councils to commit to the scope of the project by extending the current pest management area.
"The ultimate goal is to develop one regional pest management plan and to get as many councils on board as possible."
More information
- Garry Wilson, Condamine Alliance Pest Management officer: (07) 4697 4222
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