Mayor Message – Rural Industry Advisory Committee – Mayor Liz Schmidt

On Monday this week the Rural Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) met for the first time since changing its focus from gates and grids to invasive plants and animals, including wild dogs.

The Committee’s membership includes 12 Landowners from the four district quadrants of the region, myself, Deputy Mayor Sonia Bennetto, Cr Bernie Robertson, David Metcalfe, Director Planning and Community Services and relevant Council staff.

The RIAC has increased in representative membership, strengthening the communication line between Council and our rural community. The Committee can work with landholders to determine matters of importance to rural residents and then bring these issues to Council.

This group will create valuable opportunities for direct dialogue with relevant government departments, leading to stronger advocacy for our rural community’s priorities.

In this week’s meeting, major discussion revolved around wild dog control measures and weed management practices. Agforce’s Senior Queensland Wild Dog Coordinator Brett Carlsson provided an update of current wild dog control measures and tools, and associated trends.

Council staff provided information on wild dog baiting and Council’s plans moving forward.

Wild dogs and invasive plants pose a significant environmental risk to our region. Their effects are felt by many local farmers, graziers and even urban landholders.

These issues will be assessed by the group and addressed in order of priority at future meetings.

The Committee will meet every three months, with the next meeting scheduled in February 2019.

- Councillor Liz Schmidt | Mayor

OGG 27 November, 2018