Pest Animal Management in the Hunter Region – Achieving outcomes through shared responsibility
Date: Thursday 26th September 2019
Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Venue: Hunter Room, The Best Western Hunter Gateway, 11 Denton Park Drive, Rutherford
Cost: Free
Registrations are closed.
Introduction
Pest animals pose a significant threat to the biosecurity, economy, environment and local communities of the Hunter Region, with impacts including:
- Predation of livestock and wildlife
- Grazing pressure on pastures and damage to crops and plants
- Competing with native wildlife for food, water and habitat
- Spreading diseases to people and other animals (including stock and pets)
- Damaging fences and other infrastructure.
The responsibility for managing pest animals and their impacts across the landscape rests with no single control authority, but requires a coordinated and integrated approach by agencies, councils and land managers to be effective.
Workshop Purpose
The NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 advocates a shared responsibility for managing pest animals. The workshop will explore opportunities for improved regional collaboration and communication across councils and agencies. Key focus areas include:
- Providing an overview of the Biosecurity Act 2015
- Clarifying responsibilities for compliance with, and enforcement of the Act
- Providing an overview of pest animal management in the region
- Providing a case study of a local council playing an active and successful role in pest animal management
- Identifying Council and Agency positions, plans and activities toward the management of pest animals
- Identifying issues and opportunities and agree on actions for improving regional cooperation, and shared responsibility, in the management of pest animals.
AGENDA
| TIME | FOCUS | PRESENTER |
| 10.00 – 10.10am | Welcome & Overview | Brett Miners – General Manager (Hunter Local Land Services) |
| 10.10 – 10.40am | An overview of the NSW Biosecurity Act:
· Objectives and Intent · Roles and responsibilities · Compliance & enforcement · Incursion management and MERI |
Quentin Hart – Manager Invasive Species Strategy and Planning (Department of Primary Industries)
|
| 10.40 – 11.10am | Hunter Region Pest Animal Management | Kyra O’Brien – Biosecurity Officer (Hunter Local Land Services) |
| 11.10 – 11.40am | Managing pest animals in the MidCoast Council Area – a Case Study of successful local action | Mathew Bell – Senior Ecologist (MidCoast Council) |
| 11.40am – 12.30pm | Facilitated Discussion:
Identifying Council and Agency positions, plans and activities toward the management of pest animals |
All |
|
12:30 – 1:30pm |
Lunch |
|
| 1:30 – 3:30pm | Facilitated Workshop Session:
Identifying issues and opportunities for improving regional cooperation in the management of pest animals |
All |
| 3:45 – 4.00pm | Next Steps and Forum Close | Steve Wilson Hunter JO |
Who Should Attend
The workshop is particularly relevant to Council and Agency staff involved in:
- Biodiversity and Natural Areas / Assets Management
- Biosecurity (Weed and Pest Animal) Management
- Environmental Management and Compliance / Ranger Services
- Community and operational land management
- Community and landowner engagement / extension services in agricultural and sustainable land management
What to Bring?
Please bring with you any Pest Animal Plans, Pest Animal Policies or case studies from your organisation or experiences that may be relevant to the workshop focus and activities.
MORE INFORMATION:
Steve Wilson | Director Environment Division Eva Twarkowski | LSO Community Engagement
Hunter Joint Organisation | M 0448 401 436 Hunter Local Land Services | T 02 4938 4930
E stevew@huntercouncils.com.au E eva.twarkowski@lls.nsw.gov.au