Hon. Sally Talbot asks about the progress of the cotton bush response plan in the south west, and the support provided to shires and landholders. The Minister outlines the plan's finalisation, public availability, major strategies, and DAFWA's current assistance.

AnsweredQoN 1061Legislative Council
Asked
24 September 2014
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

COTTON BUSH CONTROL
1061. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the spread of cotton bush throughout the south
west, especially in the Waroona and Harvey shires.
(1) When will the cotton bush response plan be completed?
(2) Will it be made available to the public?
(3) What are the major strategies outlined in the response
plan?
(4) What is
the Department of Agriculture and Food currently doing to assist shires and
landholders manage infestations of cotton bush in the south west?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) The response
plan is currently being finalised. Consultation on the plan is scheduled to be
completed by mid-November 2014.
(2) Yes, following consultation.
(3) Major
strategies include working with communities through a community coordinated
approach; working towards establishing biosecurity groups. Where appropriate,
the biosecurity groups may be recognised by the minister as a recognised
biosecurity group and a declared pest rate may be considered in the group's
area. This will enable funds to be available to support operational capacity
for the RBGs. Other major strategies involve significant support from the
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia through information such
as control information and advice, planning and corporate governance advice.
Where appropriate, a compliance process is established to support community
outcomes.
(4) DAFWA is
working closely with three biosecurity groups in the south west, targeting
cotton bush. This includes seed funding and the provision of control
information and advice. DAFWA is also establishing a compliance process to
support the biosecurity groups' goals in managing cotton bush.

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