❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the management and funding for controlling narrow-leaf cotton bush on state-controlled land, particularly in the South West region. The Minister outlines the government's approach through biosecurity groups and DAFWA's support and enforcement actions.
AnsweredQoN 1387Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NARROW-LEAF COTTON BUSH
1387. Hon ADELE FARINA to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the management of declared plants.
(1) What action has been taken to manage narrow-leaf cotton
bush on state-controlled public land?
(2) What is
the total amount of funding invested by the state government in the control of
narrow-leaf cotton bush in the south west region this financial year?
(3) In relation to (2), what measures are being implemented
and where in the south west region?
1387. Hon ADELE FARINA to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the management of declared plants.
(1) What action has been taken to manage narrow-leaf cotton
bush on state-controlled public land?
(2) What is
the total amount of funding invested by the state government in the control of
narrow-leaf cotton bush in the south west region this financial year?
(3) In relation to (2), what measures are being implemented
and where in the south west region?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) Managers
of public land are required to control declared pests on their land. A
coordinated approach for control of widespread pests is arranged through
biosecurity groups. Public land is included in the approach being adopted.
(2) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is funding approximately
1.5 FTE—$150 000—to support control of narrow-leaf cotton bush
in 2014–15. In addition, an estimated $91 000 will be made available
from grant funding to match funds raised by biosecurity groups for control of
narrow-leaf cotton bush.
(3) DAFWA
supports the development of biosecurity groups and their adoption of a
community coordinated approach. Two groups have formed for the primary purpose
of controlling narrow-leaf cotton bush. They are the Peel–Harvey and
Leschenault Biosecurity Groups. The groups provide best practice information
and engage landholders within their community for declared plant control.
In consultation with community and
industry, DAFWA has prepared a situation statement, a response plan and an
impact assessment for narrow-leaf cotton bush. In addition, agency capacity is
being built in community engagement processes.
DAFWA is enforcing compliance in
identified high-risk areas for narrow-leaf cotton bush. Initial correspondence
was sent to 600 landholders. Property inspections have been undertaken twice
for 33 noncompliant landholders resulting in 50 per cent compliance on these
properties. The third inspection of noncompliant properties will be undertaken
in December. Ongoing noncompliant properties will be issued with a pest control
notice.
(1) Managers
of public land are required to control declared pests on their land. A
coordinated approach for control of widespread pests is arranged through
biosecurity groups. Public land is included in the approach being adopted.
(2) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is funding approximately
1.5 FTE—$150 000—to support control of narrow-leaf cotton bush
in 2014–15. In addition, an estimated $91 000 will be made available
from grant funding to match funds raised by biosecurity groups for control of
narrow-leaf cotton bush.
(3) DAFWA
supports the development of biosecurity groups and their adoption of a
community coordinated approach. Two groups have formed for the primary purpose
of controlling narrow-leaf cotton bush. They are the Peel–Harvey and
Leschenault Biosecurity Groups. The groups provide best practice information
and engage landholders within their community for declared plant control.
In consultation with community and
industry, DAFWA has prepared a situation statement, a response plan and an
impact assessment for narrow-leaf cotton bush. In addition, agency capacity is
being built in community engagement processes.
DAFWA is enforcing compliance in
identified high-risk areas for narrow-leaf cotton bush. Initial correspondence
was sent to 600 landholders. Property inspections have been undertaken twice
for 33 noncompliant landholders resulting in 50 per cent compliance on these
properties. The third inspection of noncompliant properties will be undertaken
in December. Ongoing noncompliant properties will be issued with a pest control
notice.
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