Landholder-led initiatives in invasive species. Andrew Cox, CEO invasives.org.au

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1 Landholder-led initiatives in invasive species Andrew Cox, CEO invasives.org.au

2 The invasive species threat Exotic species in Australia Established Env. pest Plants 3,000+ 1,000+ Vertebrates ~70 ~30 Fish 34 ~10 Invertebrates 1,000s? Marine 130 to 300+? Pathogens??

3 Two case studies Yellow crazy ants Feral deer

Yellow crazy ants: Cairns/Edmonton Frank Teodo, a cane farmer in Cairns, is a community leader advocating control actions on yellow crazy ants for environmental, economic and lifestyle reasons.

4 Yellow crazy ants: Cairns/Edmonton Frank Teodo, a cane farmer in Cairns, is a community leader advocating control actions on yellow crazy ants for environmental, economic and lifestyle reasons. Key facts: - Community coalition helped secure $10.5m funding for Cairns Wet Tropics Yellow Crazy Ant Control Program - Came about through first hand experience and advocacy to government - Community now participates in program through reference group with local government, tourism, property, farming, pest control, academic, conservation, council and government participation - Model for ongoing engagement in large scale invasive ant response programs

Yellow crazy ants: Kuranda Wet Tropics Management Authority monitoring team and Kuranda Envirocare yellow crazy ant taskforce volunteers at Russett Park, Kuranda, about to commence yellow crazy ant

5 Yellow crazy ants: Kuranda Wet Tropics Management Authority monitoring team and Kuranda Envirocare yellow crazy ant taskforce volunteers at Russett Park, Kuranda, about to commence yellow crazy ant baiting. Key facts: - Led by Kuranda Envirocare taskforce volunteers registered, 17 Traditional Owners - Treatment area 30ha - Bait: 117kg on-ground, 85kg helicopter - Conduct wildlife abundance surveys and monitor ant bait traps - Volunteers and data managed by part time co-ordinator - Supported by Wet Tropics Authority (8 staff), council (2), rural fire brigade (2) - Data monitored by James Cook Uni and Wet Tropics Authority

6 Yellow crazy ants: Nome, Townsville Dave lives in Nome, 15km south of Townsville. He reported a yellow crazy ant infestation to Townsville City Council and NRM group and helped delimit the infestation to 40ha area bordering a national park with endangered ground nesting birdlife. Key facts: - Infestation approx. 40ha - Local government taking lead on control - Progress slow due to state government policy that yellow crazy ants cannot be eradicated - Shows value of environmental asset protection model (creek system connects to coastal wetland national park) - Dave and his neighbours work with animal sanctuary, developers and tourism operators but require resources and expertise - ISC and Townsville City Council seeking further funds for project

7 Feral deer in SE Australia DPIPWE 2011 NSW DPI 2017

8 Feral deer: SE NSW land managers Land managers delegation to NSW Parliament Clare McMahon (beef producer), Gordon Bradbery (Wollongong Council mayor), Andrew Cox (Invasive Species Council), Barbara Mathie (Landcare coordinator), Ted Rowley (beef producer), Richard Scarborough (botanist) Key facts: - 2 x beef producers, Landcare coordinator, Wollongong Council major, botanist, ISC - described feral deer impacts from wide range of perspectives - 400ha property loses $40k/yr - over 1,000 deer killed on 2 properties per year - rules hamper landholder efforts - 9 road casualties in 7 years - combined voice to Parliament, media - resulted in temporary lifting of game restrictions - involvement in new regional pest animal plans

struths Alex Druce @AlexDruuuce 7 Apr 2017, 11:56 a.m.

9 News Farmers front pollies on deer control Shooters rubbish mistruths Alex 7 Apr 2017, 11:56 a.m. Lord mayor of Wollongong, Gordon Bradbery, joined the delegation of South Coast farmers and Invasive Species Council chief executive Andrew Cox at NSW Parliament yesterday, where Greens, Labor, Liberal, and Animal Justice MPs - as well as staff representing the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party - were briefed on the rapid spread of wild deer throughout NSW. RELATED: Hope for a National plan to address impacts of wild deer WITH a decision on wild deer control looming in NSW, a delegation of farmers, community leaders and pest experts has fronted Macquarie Street urging government to remove the animal s game protection status and make it easier for landholders to cull the animal to protect their enterprises. Lord mayor of Wollongong, Gordon Bradbery, joined the delegation of 1

10 A summary: the community s role 1. Prevention 1. Spreading the message 2. Border awareness and compliance 3. Fulfilling biosecurity duty eg. waste disposal, boot and vehicle wash downs 2. Surveillance 1. Incidental observations 2. Organised through programs 3. Response - eradication and control 4. Advocacy 5. Research

11 Key ingredients Successful community participation can multiply professional resources. To work it needs: 1. Clear objective eg. target species or asset 2. Community leaders 3. Scientific and logistics support

12 Thank you Visit invasives.org.au Signup to Feral Herald blog Andrew Cox Acknowledgements: Reece Pianta (ISC), Frank Teodo (Edmonton), Kuranda Envirocare.

This program version was printed as at 07:32 20th November 2018 and is subject to change. Proudly Sponsored by NQ Dry Tropics

This program version was printed as at 07:32 20th November 2018 and is subject to change. MONDAY 7th November 2016 5:00 PM t o 7:00 PM Welcome Reception Proudly Sponsored by NQ Dry Tropics The Welcome