2. Introduction
Pest management on private and public land is important socially, economically, environmentally and culturally for the preservation of our natural resources, rural industries and community values.
The Burdekin Dry Tropics natural resource management region, covering an area of approximately 146,000km 2, is made up of numerous areas, assets and industries of considerable environmental and economic significance. Most of the region is managed for beef cattle grazing, however the region is known as the most productive sugarcane and largest winter vegetable growing centre in Australia. The region also includes internationallyrecognised wetlands, tropical savannas and internationally recognised rainforests, providing habitat for many local and migratory species that rely on the health of the system.
Pest plants and animals have considerable impact on these natural and economic values. The importance of pest management is recognised at a national and state level. The Australian Pest Animal Strategy 2017-2027, the Australian Weeds Strategy 2017-2027, the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2018-2023 and the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 provide guidance on the control and reduction of pests in Queensland. While the Commonwealth and state governments have provided a broad strategic direction for pest management, there is a need to convert this intent into on-ground action. Many organisations, groups and landholders are actively undertaking pest management work, some with individual plans and schedules. This strategy is designed to guide regional investment towards on-ground pest management activities within the Burdekin Dry Tropics region.
Developed by members of the Burdekin Dry Tropics Regional Pest Management Group, the strategy reflects the Commonwealth and State government pest management intent, interpreting this intent at a regional level for landholders and organisations that have a role in local and regional pest management for biodiversity and local economy outcomes. The strategic approach is not designed to contain detailed information on all invasive pest plants and animals in the region. Instead, it should assist stakeholders to work collaboratively on regionally-important pest projects to deliver positive pest management outcomes at a local level.
The Regional Pest Management Group will assist with the coordination and implementation of this strategic approach for an operating period of 2020 to 2025, but its success will ultimately rely on the will, dedication and commitment of all landholders, land managers and stakeholders in the region.
It is the intent of this strategic approach to:
• promote cooperative stakeholder planning and knowledge transfer, and support the delivery of coordinated on-ground pest management activities;
• develop and deliver regionally strategic pest management projects that result in an increase in economic, environmental, cultural and social values; and
• inform local government pest management plans and provide the link between local pest management intent and the intent of the Commonwealth and State at the regional level.
Box 1: Asset definitions
• High-value agricultural— recognised areas which produce agricultural goods with a high economic value per kilogram, per hectare or per calorie. This includes plantation forests, native and modified pastures, cropping, perennial and seasonal horticulture, and intensive animal production.
• High-value environmental— recognised areas of managed resource protection and nature conservation, marshes or wetlands and the riparian corridors that connect them. These asset areas are recognised for their ecological value, including the diversity and richness of native species. They may be important sites of refuge.
• Cultural— Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage including significant areas or objects.
• Social— the attributes of individuals in the community including their interactions and behaviour; human capital such as education, skills and health; infrastructure and technology, residential housing and Defence capability. A guideline to regional asset locations is provided in
the appendix.
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