❓ A parliamentary question regarding overgrazing at Quobba Station, focusing on goat populations and rangeland conditions. The Minister's response disputes the severity of the issue, attributing it more to drought and existing rabbit/kangaroo grazing, while outlining ongoing collaboration with the lessee and DAFWA for pest management.
AnsweredQoN 2675Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to photographs available at
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
entitled, ‘2010-07-31 Overgrazing Quobba Station’ taken on 31 July 2010, showing the extent of overgrazing of shrubland at Red Bluff and other locations at Quobba Station, and the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009, and ask -
(1) What is the current density of the goat population in the vicinity of Quobba Station?
(2) Does the Department regard the extent of overgrazing damage shown in the photographs to be acceptable?
(3) Is there any correlation between the substantial loss of shrub land in the specific areas indicated on page 28 of the Report, in comparison with other areas and the high concentration of feral goats?
(4) Given that according to the Report, the stock count for this area include goats which are classified as invasive, what actions will the Minister be taking to reduce the numbers of invasive species?
(5) Given the large negative change in rangeland conditions indicated on page 28 of the Report in comparison to other areas of Quobba station, what actions is the Minister taking in conjunction with pastoralists to effect control of the feral goat population?
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
entitled, ‘2010-07-31 Overgrazing Quobba Station’ taken on 31 July 2010, showing the extent of overgrazing of shrubland at Red Bluff and other locations at Quobba Station, and the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009, and ask -
(1) What is the current density of the goat population in the vicinity of Quobba Station?
(2) Does the Department regard the extent of overgrazing damage shown in the photographs to be acceptable?
(3) Is there any correlation between the substantial loss of shrub land in the specific areas indicated on page 28 of the Report, in comparison with other areas and the high concentration of feral goats?
(4) Given that according to the Report, the stock count for this area include goats which are classified as invasive, what actions will the Minister be taking to reduce the numbers of invasive species?
(5) Given the large negative change in rangeland conditions indicated on page 28 of the Report in comparison to other areas of Quobba station, what actions is the Minister taking in conjunction with pastoralists to effect control of the feral goat population?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Lands
Response time
30 days
(1) The most recent information, as at June 2009, indicates that there were 500 goats on Quobba Station, at an average density of approximately 0.7 goats per square kilometre.
(2) While inconclusive, the photographs appear to indicate the effects of drought, rather than overgrazing. The Quobba area has experienced significantly below average rainfall for the last several years. The most recent Range Land Condition Assessment (2006) for Quobba did not make reference to grazing pressure from goats, but did state that grazing pressure from rabbits and kangaroos was an issue on some parts of the lease.
(3) The Department of Regional Development and Lands (RDL) cannot make comment on whether or not a correlation exists in general. This is a matter for the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
(DAFWA).
However
the map on page 28 of the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009 indicates that there has been no significant change in Range Land Condition Index at Quobba Station.
(4) RDL is working with the lessee of Quobba Station to ensure the effective control of goats and other species that may also be contributing to grazing pressure in the area.
(5) The map on page 28 of the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009 does not indicate a large negative change in rangeland conditions in the Quobba area. RDL will continue to work with the lessee of Quobba Station and DAFWA to ensure effective management of all vertebrate pests.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(2) While inconclusive, the photographs appear to indicate the effects of drought, rather than overgrazing. The Quobba area has experienced significantly below average rainfall for the last several years. The most recent Range Land Condition Assessment (2006) for Quobba did not make reference to grazing pressure from goats, but did state that grazing pressure from rabbits and kangaroos was an issue on some parts of the lease.
(3) The Department of Regional Development and Lands (RDL) cannot make comment on whether or not a correlation exists in general. This is a matter for the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
(DAFWA).
However
the map on page 28 of the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009 indicates that there has been no significant change in Range Land Condition Index at Quobba Station.
(4) RDL is working with the lessee of Quobba Station to ensure the effective control of goats and other species that may also be contributing to grazing pressure in the area.
(5) The map on page 28 of the Western Australian Pastoral Land Condition Report 2008-2009 does not indicate a large negative change in rangeland conditions in the Quobba area. RDL will continue to work with the lessee of Quobba Station and DAFWA to ensure effective management of all vertebrate pests.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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