Living Here
Community feedback helps shape Council’s next five-year Biosecurity Plan
Following community consultation, Gladstone Regional Council has developed a Biosecurity Plan to
strengthen and protect the Gladstone Region’s environment and ecosystems from biosecurity risks.
In accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2014, the new strategy replaces the old Biosecurity Plan which expired in December 2020.
The new Biosecurity plan sets out key objectives and priority actions for our unique region.
Gladstone Region Councillor and Capricorn Pest Management Group management committee Member, Chris Cameron, said the Biosecurity Plan 2021-2025 was shaped by community engagement and input, research, alignment with the Biosecurity Act 2014, plus consideration of emerging priorities.
“The Biosecurity Plan 2021-2025 forms the foundation of Council actions which includes control of land, community education and awareness, and compliance and enforcement of the act within the region,” Councillor Cameron said.
“Council really valued the community’s feedback during the community engagement period, and we thank those who participated in shaping this new plan.”
Key community feedback incorporated into the plan includes:
- The Gladstone Region community continues to have concerns about Giant Rats Tail Grass, Parthenium, Wild Dogs, Feral Pigs, Foxes, Leucaena and Indian Myna birds, all of which will continue to be a large focus
- The community highlighted African Tulip trees and Tilapia fish as ongoing concerns. These have remained as containment species to ensure stakeholders are actively working on control and reduction
- Among the significant environmental areas, the community highlighted waterways, national parks and conservation areas. These areas will help Council to focus and continue compliance and education
- The community identified national parks, large and absentee landholders as priorities for compliance. This plan continues to support the education and awareness as a big focus and will retain the compliance and enforcement function too.
Please visit www.conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au and click on the Biosecurity Plan 2021-2025 tile to view the new plan and community engagement results.
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