TRC identifies key areas for 2024-25 Biosecurity Surveillance Program

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) next month (July 2024) starts property inspections that are scheduled as part of the 2024-25 Biosecurity Surveillance Program.

The new program was endorsed at today’s (June 18) Ordinary Meeting of Council.

TRC Parks and Recreation Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tim McMahon said while the entire Toowoomba Regional Council area was included in the surveillance program, Council had identified priority surveillance areas.

Cr McMahon said localities including Gilla, Douglas, Malling, Dunmore, Nobby and Athol (see map) were identified as priority surveillance areas for purposes of confirming the presence and extent of invasive biosecurity matter.

“The 12-month program covers Council’s legislative requirements to monitor compliance with the Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) that ensures the management of prohibited and restricted biosecurity matter, or more broadly, invasive plants and animals,” Cr McMahon said.

“Individual properties across the Region will be selected for compliance monitoring based on the observable presence of invasive biosecurity matter or as a result of a complaint raised with Council.

“A majority of properties, 70% or greater, within the identified priority surveillance localities listed above will be inspected to confirm the presence and extent of invasive biosecurity matter, especially giant rat’s tail, cat’s claw creeper, groundsel bush and mother of millions, among other species.

“In addition, all properties that are inspected for this purpose will be monitored for compliance.

“Council will make every effort to contact a property owner or occupier to gain their permission to enter the site if it’s necessary to inspect the property.”

Cr McMahon said all property owners had a legal obligation to take reasonable and practical measures to minimise biosecurity risk.

He said Council’s Biosecurity Plan defined Council’s critical function in administering the Biosecurity Act 2014 at a local government level.

“The Plan seeks to raise public awareness of invasive plants and animals to increase the capacity and willingness of individuals to manage invasive species and participate in their control,” Cr McMahon said.

“Voluntary compliance is the desired outcome. The Plan uses plain language to give a clear blueprint of steps involved in complying with the Act, and the expectations of all stakeholders involved in biosecurity.

“Council’s vision is for the Biosecurity Plan to foster a community that is intolerant of invasive plants and animals.

“Neither Council nor individual landholders would ever be likely to have sufficient resources to do everything. The Plan works on a risk management basis to enable the most effective biosecurity management with available resources.”

Cr McMahon said while the management of fire ants was not a program controlled by local government, Council was being updated about the latest situation by the relevant authorities and was advising residents to follow all precautions and measures that are promoted. For more information or to report the presence of fire ants, please visit the National Fire Ant Eradication Program website or call 13 25 23.

For more information on TRC’s Biosecurity Surveillance Program and invasive species, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/pests

Landholders can contact TRC’s Biosecurity Compliance team on 131 872 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au for more information.