❓ The parliamentary question concerns the government's response to a mesquite bush infestation at Mardie Station and broader control programs in WA. The Minister outlines the support provided, including advice, research funding, and biosecurity officers, while acknowledging the limitations due to the scale of the problem and unsuccessful funding applications.
AnsweredQoN 390Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MARDIE STATION - MESQUITE BUSH
I refer to the minister’s visit to Mardie station, south of Karratha, and his inspection of the mesquite bush problem on the pastoral lease and discussions with the station owners and management on the issue. (1) What action was taken following the minister’s visit to assist the pastoralists with the mesquite bush problem? (2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to the minister’s visit to Mardie station, south of Karratha, and his inspection of the mesquite bush problem on the pastoral lease and discussions with the station owners and management on the issue. (1) What action was taken following the minister’s visit to assist the pastoralists with the mesquite bush problem? (2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(1) What action was taken following the minister’s visit to assist the pastoralists with the mesquite bush problem? (2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(1) What action was taken following the minister’s visit to assist the pastoralists with the mesquite bush problem? (2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(2) What continuing programs does the government have in place to reduce or eradicate the mesquite bush problem in affected areas in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and for his interest in this matter. (1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
(1)-(2) The control of declared plants such as mesquite is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia does not usually spend government funds on on-the-ground control of these weeds on private land. The department provides assistance in the form of advice to landholders on control techniques and research into control measures. The department helps pastoralists control mesquite, either by engaging directly with landholders or through the zone control authorities, which are a function of the Agriculture Protection Board. An example of that role is the recently coordinated control program against mesquite on Carnarvon Common, where the department coordinated activities of a range of landholders and provided advice on the most appropriate control techniques to use. The mesquite infestation on Mardie station is so large that it is beyond physical control. Because of this, the department has focused on research into biological control by providing $40 000 a year as co-funding to a mesquite control project, whose other partners are the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, local industries and the Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Food funds also a biosecurity officer, who spends a considerable proportion of his time advising the Mardie station landholders on best management options for mesquite. The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
The department has also helped fund an aerial survey of the mesquite-affected properties in the region. Unfortunately, a major funding application to the commonwealth’s Defeating the Weed Menace program, for $800 000 over three years for mesquite control in the WA rangelands, was not granted.
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