LHPA ranger shares pest stories with Qld
Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority ranger, Steve Parker, recently journeyed to Queensland to share information and knowledge on LHPA pest control strategies with the Rabbit Research and Advisory Group (RRAG) which incorporates research and operational staff from Biosecurity Queensland, local government and the Darling Downs and Moreton Rabbit Board.
Greg Wood, Cumberland LHPA general manager, said the exercise demonstrates how other Australian states value the knowledge and skills within the LHPA.
"Steve was invited by the RRAG to present at their bi-annual rabbit working group meeting which this time focused on wild rabbit control in urban areas," said Mr Wood.
"As a ranger with the Cumberland LHPA Steve has coordinated wild rabbit control projects in the Sydney area for a number of years, with the major project being the annual release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in collaboration with local councils and the Office of Environment and Heritage.
"This project has been successful in reducing the wild rabbit population in the Sydney basin in previous releases and post-release monitoring indicates the March 2011 release of RHDV has resulted in a reduction of the wild rabbit population by up to 50 per cent.
"The RRAG were particularly interested in the LHPA’s experiences dealing with wild rabbits in urban environments generally and the types of control techniques and strategies the LHPA had employed specifically in the Sydney region, to aid the development of urban wild rabbit control strategies in the South East Queensland region."
Mr Wood said Biosecurity Queensland organised and funded Steve’s trip, which will also benefit Cumberland LHPA ratepayers.
"The experience was a great opportunity for Steve to network with Queensland officials on similar pest projects which will inform the development of future pest projects within the Cumberland LHPA.
"It also paves the way for more interstate collaboration on pest control projects, which will benefit everyone in the long term."
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378