Vertebrate Pest - Council Policy Version 5-26 October Council Policy. Vertebrate Pest. Table of Contents. Table of Contents... 1 Policy...

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1 Council Policy Vertebrate Pest Table of Contents Table of Contents... 1 Policy... 2 Background... 2 Role of Council... 2 Policy Objectives... 2 Policy Statement... 3 Vertebrate Pest Management Principles... 3 Definitions... 3 Controlled Document Information... 4 Lake Macquarie City Council Page 1 of 5

2 Background Policy Vertebrate pests can contribute to land degradation and can result in severe environmental impact on flora and fauna, soils, watercourses, wetlands and the agricultural sector. Vertebrate pests can also be a reservoir and vector of diseases impacting native fauna, domestic pets, stock, and humans. Predation by vertebrate pests affects economic and environmental values and is a threatening process contributing to the endangerment of several native species. Pest animals can also have considerable social impacts, including being a nuisance, damaging infrastructure or culturally important sites and causing traffic incidents. The management of vertebrate pests is an element of Council s overall land management responsibility. Council has certain legislative requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to control declared vertebrate pests on Community land. The Vertebrate Pest Policy outlines the objectives and key vertebrate pest management principles for management of vertebrate pests in the City of Lake Macquarie, and sets the policy framework for Council s Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy. Role of Council Lake Macquarie City Council has limited resources for controlling vertebrate pest species and therefore must implement a process of prioritising actions for pest control. Council s primary responsibility is to control vertebrate pests declared under the Biosecurity Act 2015 affecting land under its control and management of pests that threaten the viability of threatened species, populations, or endangered ecological communities. In addition to Council s responsibility as a land manager, it has a broader responsibility to the community to reduce risks to public safety and loss of amenity caused by vertebrate pests. For vertebrate pest matters affecting the community and outside Council s direct control, Council will concentrate on supporting the work of key agencies and landholders addressing these matters. This support includes partnering in joint programs when possible and providing information on pest management to residents through various media and event based methods. Policy Objectives The objectives of this Policy (and associated Strategy) are to: Satisfy legislative requirements; Conserve biodiversity; Manage vertebrate pest populations to minimise their impact on Council managed land; and the health, safety and amenity of the community, subject to allocated resources; Support a cooperative approach to pest management with other NSW Government agencies and the community; Minimise the risk of new vertebrate pests becoming established, where feasible; and Collect vertebrate pest information and make it available to the community. Lake Macquarie City Council Page 2 of 5

3 Policy Statement Vertebrate Pest Management Principles Prevention is better that cure. Early detection of new pest incursions and rapid response is considered critical priority. Evidence-based decision-making and risk assessments should feature in pest program development. Planning and prioritisation is based on the best available scientific and technical information. Widespread pest programs should adopt an asset-based risk management approach. The aim of most pest control programs is to minimise the adverse impacts of widespread pests for which eradication is not possible. Therefore, a site-led approach should be used for widespread species and management should be targeted to sites where benefits will be greatest. Prioritisation should be based on maintaining important assets and optimising outcomes for asset protection and management. Pest management should take an integrated approach. Targeting more than one pest is often important as the control of one species may benefit another. Outcomes of pest programs must be clear, demonstrable, and measurable. Pest management requires on-going effort. For most pests, localised one-off or low frequency control is likely to be ineffective due to the rapid reinvasion or re-establishment of the pest. Therefore, ongoing effort will usually be required for long-term success. A partnership approach should be applied. Pests occur and move across the landscape irrespective of tenure boundaries. Therefore, to be most effective, pest management should be collaborative and coordinated across the landscape. Adherence to best practice methods. All vertebrate pest control activities conducted by Council or on behalf of Council will be conducted in accordance with the Vertebrate Pest Control Manual published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. All methods will minimise suffering of animals and comply with relevant animal welfare legislation. The use of pesticides will be in accordance with relevant legislation and cause minimal harm to the environment. Notifications will be as described in Council s Pesticide Use Notification Plan. Definitions For the purpose of this Policy, a vertebrate pest is an introduced non-human vertebrate animal that has, or has the potential to have, an adverse economic, environmental, or social/cultural impact. It does not apply to mice, rats, and similar pests. Native animals such as magpies, possums, snakes that are sometimes considered a pest to humans are not dealt with in this Policy. Vertebrate pest species known or have the potential to establish in the City are listed in the Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy. This list will be updated in future State of the Environment Reports. Lake Macquarie City Council Page 3 of 5

4 Authorisation Details Controlled Document Information Folder No: F2004/12295 TRIM Record No: D Audience: Department: Officer: External - Staff responsible for the control of vertebrate pests on Council land Sustainability Ecosystems Project Officer - Karen Mason Review Timeframe: Max < 4 years 2 years Next Scheduled Review Date: 26 October 2018 Authorisation: Adopted by Council - 10 December 2012 REPOL Date of Endorsement: Authorisation - Council Adoption Date: 26 November 2012 REPOL Report TRIM Record No: 10 December 2012 D Related Document Information, Standards & References Related Legislation: Related Policies (Council & Internal): Related Procedures, Guidelines, Forms, WHS Modules/PCD s, Risk Assessments, Work Method Statements: (Legislation Name) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Fisheries Management Act 1994 Pesticides Act 1999 Biosecurity Act 2015 NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Local Government Act 1993 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 Firearms Act 1996 (Policy Name) (Document Name) Vegetation Pest Weed & Pest Control Activities D Pesticide Use Notification Plan D Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy D Humane pest animal control: Code of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures Work Method Statement Requirement of Pesticides Regulation 1995 Guidelines set by NSW Government Standards COP s & Other References (Standard, COP or Other References) NSW Invasive Species Plan (NSW DPI) Vertebrate Pest Control Manual (NSW DPI) This Plan provides the framework for the coordinated management of pest animals and weeds across various land tenures and will guide invasive species management in NSW to The intent of this manual is to promote uniform standards of control, administration, and safety throughout the state on the management of pest Lake Macquarie City Council Page 4 of 5

5 animals. Australian Pest Animal Strategy (Aus Govt.) The aim of this strategy is to address the undesirable impacts caused by exotic vertebrate animals that have become pests in Australia, and to prevent the establishment of new exotic vertebrate pests. Definitions Term / Abbreviation Vertebrate Pest Definition For the purpose of this policy, a vertebrate pest is an introduced non-human vertebrate animal that has, or has the potential to have, an adverse economic, environmental, or social/cultural impact. Consultation (update for each version created) Key Departments, Teams, Positions, Meetings: WER - Vegetation & Pest Management Coordinator Version History Version No Date Changed Modified By Details and Comments 1 8/9/2003 Karen Mason New Policy 2 14/4/2010 Hugh Cross Regular Review 3 Nov 2012 Karen Mason Objectives and vertebrate pest management principles revised to align with the recently completed Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy Oct 2014 Karen Mason Regular review no changes required 5 October 2016 Karen Mason Updated legislation changes. Biosecurity Act 2015 has replaced the Rural Lands Protection Act Lake Macquarie City Council Page 5 of 5