Council’s new Pest Animal Management plan takes collaborative approach

Published on 06 May 2019

Byron Shire Council has a new five year Pest Animal Management Plan in place to help curb the destructive impacts caused by wild dogs, European red fox, feral cats, European rabbit, Indian myna birds and cane toads.

The new Plan was recently endorsed by Council following substantial consultation with other public land managers, Aboriginal land managers and the local community. It provides a framework for the management of pest animals on Council managed land but with opportunities for Council to assist with pest animal management on private land when resources allow.

“Pest animals can wreak havoc on our local biodiversity and agricultural productivity and have major economic, social and cultural impacts as well, which is why it is critical that we have a smart and adaptive strategy in place to deal with issues as they arise in the future,” Council’s Director Sustainable Environment and Economy, Shannon Burt said.

“Effective management of pests requires a coordinated approach that includes clear and strong commitment from the State Government, Council and the community.

“We are striving to achieve a more collaborative approach for the future whereby Council is involved in offering technical advice and support to private land owners, and acting as a conduit between private and public land managers and agencies such as Local Land Services.

“Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 all land managers, regardless of whether on private or public land have a shared responsibility to manage pests and their impacts and our new Pest Animal Management Plan will guide us all in working together to achieve the best pest management practices possible in the Byron Shire,” she said.

View Council's Pest Animal Management Plan on our website.

For more information contact Council’s Environmental Projects Officer, Peter Boyd on 02 6626 7253.