Funding puts Far North's feral pigs in the firing line
Disaster Recovery
Feral pigs and invasive weeds in Far North Queensland are set for a whack, the Australian and Queensland governments allocating more than $2.7 million to five local councils and two natural resource management groups to help fight invasive pests and weeds in regions devastated by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
David Kempton, Member for Cook, welcomed the news, saying while the cyclone hit Far North Queensland in December 2023, but the heavy rainfall and flooding into January 2024 continued the destructive impact.
Disaster recovery funding has been provided to help communities and the environment with short, medium and longer term impacts. A funding package is now being delivered through the Department of Primary Industries’ Pest and Weed Management Program offers support for local councils and resource management groups to address the pest and weed challenges brought about by the impacts of TC Jasper in identified areas.
The package is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Environmental weed and pest invasion is considered one of the greatest threats to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, also posing a threat to a region’s agriculture and tourism industries. Many of the at-risk areas are important for social amenity, cultural values, and recreational use by the community and visitors.
Mr Kempton said the program is essential in helping farmers and landholders by funding target support where it’s needed the most in the Cook Shire.
“Feral pigs and invasive weeds add to farmers’ workload and landholders’ costs in what can feel like a never-ending battle,” Mr Kempton said.
“A coordinated eradication program, targeting all known sites, will help farmers fight these destructive pests and weeds. Particularly in areas hit hard by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which accelerated their spread and are still recovering.”
Mayor Robyn Holmes shared the importance of funding for the Cook Shire.
“The widespread flooding that followed Tropical Cyclone Jasper had a devastating impact on river systems, farmland and natural environments across Cook Shire, accelerating the spread of invasive weeds and feral animals, including feral pigs, into vulnerable areas,” Mayor Holmes said.
“This funding is critical to our long-term recovery. Invasive pests and weeds post a significant threat to biodiversity, waterways and agricultural productivity, and can place an increasing burden on landholders. A coordinated eradication program is essential to address these impacts and protect the liveability and environmental values of our communities into the future.”
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said that under the Biosecurity Act 2014 the management of invasive plants and animals is a shared responsibility and working with federal and local-level partners was important for success.
“Our objective with this funding package is to repair the environment by working with local partners to deliver positive environmental outcomes,” Minister Perrett said.
“Disasters like TC Jasper create favourable conditions for pests and weeds to thrive, as seeds are transported on the wind or in flooding disbursing the invasive pests further, particularly in proximity to waterways.”
