Pest Plants and Animals

Council has resolved to establish a Biosecurity Advisory Committee with the purpose of providing strategic guidance and recommendations to Council for the effective management of biosecurity risks in the Maranoa region. The Committee will focus on pest and invasive species management, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with the Biosecurity Act 2014 and other relevant frameworks.

More information will be available when the Committee has been established.

Rural Lands Services regularly monitor stock routes and reserves to identify and control invasive plants. Members of the public can assist by reporting priority invasive plants on public land, which officers will then respond to and control as required. This can be done by contacting your local customer service centre via phone or email, or through Council’s online customer request system Authority e-Services. Officers monitor chemical levels and climatic factors to ensure spraying is only performed when it is safe for surrounding land holders, animals, and vulnerable environmental areas.

If you have seen any of the species listed below on Council land, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you have noticed any of these species on your own or other private land, please be aware that landholders have a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) to manage invasives appropriately.

Guidance and obligations related to each species can be found below:

Parthenium Management Plan 

Council is undertaking work on a regional Parthenium Management Plan which will provide direction on allocation of resources and treatment strategies across management zones. It represents an overarching framework that multiple stakeholders will be able to refer to going forward. Details of the plan will be published here in future.

Eradication Projects

Rural Lands Services can work with landholders to control priority weeds if the distribution of the same outbreak crosses the boundary of private and Council land. Coordinating the type and timing of treatment can provide the best management outcomes for both parties and is the best way to work towards the local eradication of an invasive species. These projects are dependent on many factors and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Pest animal control in the Maranoa 

The Maranoa Council Area has a longstanding history of managing various pest animal species. Due to the diverse terrain across the council's extensive area, a range of strategies has been employed for effective pest control. The northern region of the shire is traversed by approximately 470 kilometres of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence, while significant predator-proof cluster fencing has been established primarily in the southern areas. Vertebrate pest management efforts have traditionally focused on controlling wild dogs and feral pigs. Maranoa provides two baiting campaigns each year. One in Autumn and one in Spring. The timing of these campaigns is focused on wild dog dispersal patterns.

Restricted Invasive Animal Fact Sheet 

Priority Pest Animals 

Pest animals are typically non-native species that negatively affect the environment, economy, or society. They are estimated to cost approximately $1 billion to the Australian economy.

The Queensland Weed and Pest Animal Strategy outlines eight principles of pest management to establish a standardized framework for managing weeds and pest animals across Queensland.

1. Integration
2. Public Awareness
3. Commitment
4. Consultation and Partnership
5. Planning
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Best Practice
8. Improvement

Research by Braysher et al. demonstrates that employing a best-practice approach is the most effective method for achieving sustainable, long-term results.

Best Practice can be broken down into three main steps.

1. Planning
2. Coordinating
3. Monitoring

The Maranoa Regional Council Biosecurity Management Plan 2023-2027 identifies the following species as High Priority.

Wild Dogs

Step 1 Planning

Approach

• The primary goal in wild dog management is to reduce livestock damage and death.
• It is important to take into consideration wild dog dynamics, as the majority of damage can be caused by the minority of the population.
• Dogs often travel well known paths around their territory enhancing trapping and baiting.

Step 2 Coordination 

• Fencing: Fencing can be used to protect high value crops and assets.
• Poisoning Wild dogs have a large enough range to encounter baits spaced 100 to 250 meters apart along internal fence lines or internal tracks. However, as fewer baits reduce opportunities for contact, any reduction in bait numbers should be offset by extending the baiting area and duration. To mitigate risks, baiting stations can be established. For example, tied baits can be removed after specific intervals. Additionally, differences in bait station disturbances can help identify which animals are accessing the baits; foxes typically leave a neater hole when retrieving buried baits, whereas wild dogs tend to disturb the surrounding earth more extensively. This distinction is useful for monitoring bait uptake and bait caching.
• Shooting: This method is opportunistic and generally less effective than primary control techniques; however, it can play a valuable role in wild dog control. It is most effective in areas with known wild dog presence. Techniques such as howling, electronic callers, predator calls and camera traps can be employed to increase effectiveness.
• Trapping: Require daily checking. Only soft jaw traps should be used. Best in conjunction with other control techniques such as after a baiting campaign.

Step 3 Monitoring 

• Reassess Population Numbers
• Reapply Control Techniques Where Necessary

Feral Pigs

Step 1 Planning

• Rooting
• Crop Damage
• Pads
• Faeces
• Tusk-masks
• Nests
• Wallows
• Mud-Rubs

Approach

• Feral Pig populations recover quickly.
• The impacts of feral pigs are likely proportional to their population density.
• The removal of feral pigs from a population increases resource availability for those that survive initial control efforts, often resulting in enhanced reproductive output among the remaining individuals.
• A sustained management approach is generally the most effective option.
• To prevent a rapid return to pre-control population levels, it is recommended that 70% of the population be removed annually.
• The most effective control techniques are poison baiting and aerial shooting, particularly when these methods are used in combination.
• Secondary and ongoing control measures are essential for achieving long-term success in pest management.
• Control efforts are often more effective when aligned with favourable environmental conditions, such as targeting water points during drought conditions.

Step 2 Coordination 

• Fencing: Fencing can be used to protect high value crops and assets.
• Poisoning: Pre-feeding is a critical component of an effective grain baiting program for feral pig management. A minimum of three pre-feeds is required; however, the number of feeds should be adjusted according to the size of the feral pig population that is frequenting the feeding area. Feral pigs may be initially reluctant to consume pre-feed, and it is advised to gradually increase the amount of feed until the level of consumption stabilizes. For the baiting phase, it is recommended to use a bait quantity that is 75% of the final pre-feed amount, as feral pigs tend to consume less baited feed. During the baiting program, other control techniques should be temporarily halted to maximize the program's effectiveness. Baiting must be conducted in designated locations that are securely fenced to exclude any livestock. Meat baits used should be a minimum of 500 grams per bait. See baiting information below. 
• Aerial Shooting: This is an effective method for initial knockdown or follow-up. Great for inaccessible areas. Can be expensive but can have great results in a short amount of time. Should be a coordinated approach across multiple boundaries.
• Ground Shooting: This method is opportunistic and generally less effective than primary control techniques. It should not be considered either during or prior to the implementation of other control methods, due to the potential disturbance and dispersal of feral pig groups.
• Trapping: An effective technique for follow-up after an initial knockdown. Require daily checking. Set-up where there is current activity. Should be partiality shaded. Feral pigs should not be left in traps for excessive periods. Camera traps can be used to observe pig numbers and behaviour.

Step 3 Monitoring 

• Reassess Population Numbers
• Reapply Control Techniques Where Necessary

Rabbits 

Step 1 Planning

• Success is the minimisation of damage
• Success is not necessarily total numbers, but numbers of breeding females reduced
• A control program must include warren/harbour destruction in the following sequence
  •  Reduce numbers
  • Warren/harbour destruction
  • Reassess Population
  • Reapply Control Techniques (If Required)

Step 2 Coordination 

Reduce Numbers 

• Biological controls
  • Myxomatosis: Naturally accruing by vector
  • RHDV(Calicivirus): Naturally occurring by contact.
  • RHDV 1 and K5: Requires distribution outside of breeding season.
• Trapping: Rabbits feeding on lawns cage trapping or Rabbit entrances – soft-jaw traps
• Baiting: Pindone (poison) oats. Pindone can be sourced from Rural Outlets.
• Fumigation: Warrens can be fumigated using gas tablets such as Phostoxin which can be purchased from Rural Outlets.

Removal of Warrens/Harbour

• Warrens – should be destroyed using machinery. Tines should be at least 900mm long and no more than 500mm apart. Rip 3m beyond outermost parts of warren.
• Timber floored sheds – can be netted off with netting dug into the ground.
• Shipping containers or assorted materials on the ground – should be raised >40 cm above ground or removed.
• Log piles – should be removed or burnt under permit.
• Haysheds – can be fenced or netted off with netting dug into the ground.
• Weeds like lantana – should be sprayed/burnt/removed then any burrows destroyed.

Step 3 Monitoring

• Reassess Population
• Reapply Control Techniques (If Required)

Additional information is available through the Rural Land Services Teams at 1300 007 662 or land.management@maranoa.qld.gov.au

Coordinated Baiting Program 

Pest management benefits significantly from the integration of various tools and strategies, with baiting being one of the primary methods employed. In the Maranoa Region, baiting initiatives primarily target wild dogs and feral pigs.

The Maranoa Regional Council coordinates two major baiting programs annually, typically conducted in autumn (May) and spring (October), aligning with wild dog distribution patterns. These programs provide pre-baited meat to landowners and offer the option for landowners to bring their own meat or grain for baiting. This coordinated approach plays a crucial role in managing vertebrate pest populations across the region.

In addition to the scheduled programs, ad hoc baiting services can be arranged throughout the year, further supporting pest control efforts. These initiatives underscore the importance of a unified strategy in effective pest management within the Maranoa Region.

Landowners are typically invited to participate in each upcoming baiting campaign via email. Alternatively, landowners can express their interest or seek further information by contacting the Council at wild.dog.bait@maranoa.qld.gov.au. Landowners should supply their Rates Assessment Number.

It is important to note that any landowner receiving bait must strictly adhere to the conditions outlined on the bait label. These requirements are legally binding and must be complied with in full.

• Landowners who want someone else to collect baits on their behalf must provide a signed ‘Authority to Sign Form.’
• 72 hours' notice, verbally or in writing, must be given to all neighbours whose property borders or faces the land, including roads frontages or waterways.
• The owner must erect 1080 signage before any 1080 baits are laid.
• Signage must be placed at all property entrances and along the property boundaries facing public roads.
• Signage must stay up for 4 weeks after baits are laid.
• No baits are to be laid within 5 m of a fenced boundary.
• No baits are to be laid within 5 m from the edge of a formed road.
• No baits are to be laid within 20 m of permanent or flowing water bodies.
• Owners can only lay baits within 150m of any habitation.

Wild Dog Scalp Bounty 

The Wild Dog Scalp Bounty is restricted to wild dogs. The term 'wild dog' refers to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids, and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released and now live in the wild.

Bounty payments have often been linked with fraud worldwide. They create a source of income, which can weaken efforts to permanently reduce or eliminate pest populations. Historically, these payments have provided steady income through continuous, sustainable harvesting. The existence of bounty payment schemes is frequently criticized for hindering the adoption of more effective control methods, such as poisoning, as these methods risk eliminating too much of the pest population. When a bounty is viewed as a source of income, it offers little incentive for long-term pest control in affected areas. (Hassall & Associates P/L)

However, the wild dog scalp bounty enables landowners to fulfill their General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) as required by the Biosecurity Act 2014, while also raising community awareness regarding the wild dog issue. To support this initiative, the Maranoa Regional Council offers a payment of $50 per scalp, applicable solely within the Maranoa Region Council area. This bounty rate is consistent for scalps collected on both sides of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence.

Trapped wild dogs must be comply with NATSOP-DOG001 National Standard Operating Procedure: Trapping of wild dogs using padded-jaw traps.

What constitutes a claimable scalp

• A single piece of skin from tip of tail to nose that includes the ears.
• Scalps must be presented fresh or preserved in a way that prevents decomposition, ensuring they remain identifiable. Acceptable preservation methods include drying/salting or freezing; however, decomposed, rotten, or whole bodies will not be accepted.
• Multiple scalps must be presented separately.
• The scalp must be obtained within the Maranoa Regional Council.

How to claim a scalp bounty

• Claimant must provide the Lot on Plan where scalps were taken.
• Claimant must complete a Claim for Wild Dog Bonus Payment Form.
• Claim form can be found online at ??????????????
• Scalps need to be presented for destruction to either an Authorised Council Officer or an Authorised Scalp Collector.

Locations of Scalp Drop-off Points

Name of Authorised Scalp Collectors