LHPAs committed to pest animal control in conservation areas

Local landholders are helping the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities continue their successful campaign to reduce the numbers of foxes and feral pigs in the Goonoo Community Conservation Area and the Macquarie Marshes.

The Central West Catchment Management Authority is funding two projects, worth a combined total of $178,000, which will see more than 120,000 hectares of land baited.

Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority Ranger Lisa Thomas says the twice yearly event in the Goonoo Community Conservation area is an important measure to help farmers protect their livestock.

 “Numbers of pest animals have decreased significantly in the last 10 to 15 years, due to the popularity of the program among farmers, but more can be done,” she said.

“Our March program is already underway and we’ve had a lot of support from landholders, working in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to bait both private and public land,” Lisa Thomas said.

“This year we have a dual focus: not only will we be helping farmers to protect their valuable livestock, but we’ll also be trying to keep our threatened species in the Goonoo Community Conservation area safe, including the Mallee Fowl, Bush Stone Curlews and quolls,” she said.

Because of the impact pest animals have on these threatened species, the Goonoo has been recognised as a priority site under the NSW Fox Abatement plan developed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

 “Foxes cause major harm and damage to livestock numbers and also the environment, with disease transmission and habitat degradation,” Lisa Thomas said.

Farmers within a 20 kilometre radius of the Goonoo Community Conservation Area, and who have an AQF 3 chemical handling certificate, are eligible to receive free baits.

The Central West Catchment Management Authority is providing funding for fox and pig baits, training, monitoring and research.

Another round of baiting will be carried out in June.

In the Macquarie Marshes, Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority ranger Robynne Wells-Budd says the unique wetland and conservation area will benefit from the pig baiting plan.

“Feral pigs can kill and eat young lambs, compete with livestock for pasture and drought feed, and damage fences and waterholes. They are also a major potential host of a number of exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease,” said Robynne Wells-Budd.

“This year, 50 properties will be involved in a shooting and baiting program to help keep the pigs at a manageable level. Because much of the land is inaccessible, helicopters are necessary to help control the problem from the air,” she said.

Foxes and feral cats will also be targeted.

The programs will involve two weeks of shooting in May, followed up by the baiting program at the end of the month with Pigout 1080 baits provided free to participating AQF3 accredited landholders.

Once the program is established, there‘ll be a continued push to encourage further participation and enhance community awareness. In the future, fox and pig populations will also be monitored before and after baiting, and bait distribution and bait takes will also be mapped.

Dietary analysis of fox droppings will also be done to identify what species are preyed upon by foxes in the area.

 “It’s exciting that some of this funding is going towards ongoing research and analysis projects, which will provide relevant information and tangible results for our ratepayers, who are very supportive of the projects,” said Narelle Rodway, General Manager of the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority.

“It also shows that frontline pest, animal and insect services remain a key focus of the 14 new Livestock Health and Pest Authorities across New South Wales,” she said.

For more information on either of these projects, contact the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority on 6882 2133.

MEDIA CONTACT: Helen Gosper 6391 3242 or Sarah McGregor 6391 3720