❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the state government's investment and strategy for feral pig control, with a focus on funding, advisory group establishment, and the roles of biosecurity groups and shire councils. The answer provides details on funding allocation, group formation timeline, resource commitment, and the expected roles of different stakeholders.
AnsweredQoN 6004Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recently released Western Australian Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025, and I ask: (a) For each of the last three years, what is the total amount the state government invested in feral pig control in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid-west/Northern Agricultural region, and the Southwest; (b) What is the timeline for the establishment of the WA Feral Pig Advisory Group and how will members be appointed; (c) What resources will be committed to the 2020-2025 strategy; (d) What financial role are recognised biosecurity groups expected to play in managing feral pig populations; and (e) What financial role are shire councils expected to play in managing feral pig populations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 April 2020
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
9 days
Under the BAM Act, biosecurity groups recognised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food can use funds from the declared pest account for the control of feral pigs. These funds come from rates determined by the Minister and are doubled by matched funds from State Government.
The following figures are the total matched funds from State Government allocated to community and biosecurity groups for feral pig management within the geographic regions listed:
The Pilbara region Recognised Biosecurity Group (RBG) does not target feral pigs as a local priority, so no funding was provided for each of the three years.
A further $189,000 of federal funding was disbursed through State Government for feral pig control activities across these regions and years. b. The WA Feral Pig Advisory Group is expected to be established in the next two months. Membership will comprise of relevant experts from key stakeholder groups; community, industry and government. The Department will support formation of the group, such as facilitating the appointment of members, provision of meeting venues and video conferencing capabilities, as well as the logistical functioning of the group.
c. Funding through the Boosting Biosecurity Defences (BBD) program will provide staffing of 1 FTE for up to four years to work with stakeholders across the State to implement the WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025 . Further resources required to implement the Strategy will be identified over the course of this project.
d. The WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025 aims to facilitate coordinated and effective feral pig management through community-led groups, including RBGs, in order to establish ongoing support for community control activities. Six RBGs currently identify feral pigs as a priority pest for their local area, and assign funds to undertake or support feral pig control. The WA Feral Pig Strategy will improve coordination between RBGs and other community groups to use these resources more efficiently and effectively.
e. The Feral Pig Strategy does not place any financial obligations on local government authorities. As for all landholders, shire councils are responsible for managing declared pests on their property. This includes controlling feral pigs. Some shire councils currently provide funding support to community groups or engage the services of contract pest controllers to facilitate feral pig management on their lands, particularly in the south west of the State.
The following figures are the total matched funds from State Government allocated to community and biosecurity groups for feral pig management within the geographic regions listed:
The Pilbara region Recognised Biosecurity Group (RBG) does not target feral pigs as a local priority, so no funding was provided for each of the three years.
A further $189,000 of federal funding was disbursed through State Government for feral pig control activities across these regions and years. b. The WA Feral Pig Advisory Group is expected to be established in the next two months. Membership will comprise of relevant experts from key stakeholder groups; community, industry and government. The Department will support formation of the group, such as facilitating the appointment of members, provision of meeting venues and video conferencing capabilities, as well as the logistical functioning of the group.
c. Funding through the Boosting Biosecurity Defences (BBD) program will provide staffing of 1 FTE for up to four years to work with stakeholders across the State to implement the WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025 . Further resources required to implement the Strategy will be identified over the course of this project.
d. The WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025 aims to facilitate coordinated and effective feral pig management through community-led groups, including RBGs, in order to establish ongoing support for community control activities. Six RBGs currently identify feral pigs as a priority pest for their local area, and assign funds to undertake or support feral pig control. The WA Feral Pig Strategy will improve coordination between RBGs and other community groups to use these resources more efficiently and effectively.
e. The Feral Pig Strategy does not place any financial obligations on local government authorities. As for all landholders, shire councils are responsible for managing declared pests on their property. This includes controlling feral pigs. Some shire councils currently provide funding support to community groups or engage the services of contract pest controllers to facilitate feral pig management on their lands, particularly in the south west of the State.
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