KEY MESSAGES
Community Collaboration for Effective Pest Control: CRBA believes that declared pests can be effectively managed through community collaboration, involving landholders, industry, and government. By working together in a coordinated manner, we can better support landholders in pest control efforts.
Priority Pest Species: CRBA targets priority pest species such as vertebrate pests, those being feral pigs, foxes, rabbits and wild dogs, recognising their detrimental impacts on agriculture, the environment, and human safety. We aim to address these pests through proactive strategies and technologies.
Stakeholder Engagement and Awareness: CRBA aims to increase stakeholder participation and encourage the adoption of sound biosecurity practices within the community. We provide a platform for exchanging information, advice, and assistance to support effective pest management.
Proactive Pest Management: Our objective is to implement best practice-declared pest management on both private and public lands within our area of management. We seek to minimise future impacts on landholder properties through proactive management strategies.
Expansion and Collaboration: CRBA is open to supporting declared pest management in adjacent shires and collaborating with other groups in the future. This would allow for coordinated pest control efforts over a broader area, enhancing effectiveness.
Access to Funding and Resources: We actively seek external funding, ongoing state government support, training, and resources to bolster our pest control initiatives. With adequate resources and support, we can continue to deliver practical solutions and broaden stakeholder awareness.
History of Action and Impact: CRBA has a history of proactive action, stemming from the Agricultural Protection Board (APB), with the subsequent establishment of Zone Control Authorities (ZCA) in the 1950s, each focusing on specific geographical areas. These ZCAs collaborated with pastoral land managers to mitigate the impacts of wild dogs on livestock.
In 2007, with the enactment of the Biosecurity Agriculture Management (BAM) Act, efforts to establish Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) commenced. RBGs replaced the ZCAs in 2010, offering a more adaptable model capable of addressing biosecurity issues at a landscape scale. The work undertaken by RBGs adds value to pest control efforts undertaken by individual landholders, striving to provide a coordinated, landscape-scale approach to declared pest management.
Since then, we have diligently worked to address pest issues, including dog attacks on livestock, through funding, contracting pest management technicians, and organising community baiting programs.
Commitment to Pest Management: CRBA recognises the devastating effects of declared pests on agriculture, the environment, and community well-being. We remain committed to facilitating cooperative control activities across the landscape, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our region.
Coordinated Approach for Success: Success in pest management relies on a coordinated approach that transcends boundaries and involves all stakeholders. CRBA advocates for inclusive, well-timed control activities that address the entire landscape, fostering resilience and resourcefulness.
Continuous Improvement and Adaptation: CRBA is dedicated to continuous improvement and adaptation in pest management practices. By staying abreast of emerging challenges and adopting innovative solutions, we strive to safeguard the livelihoods and ecosystems of the CRBA region.
History and Declared Pest Rate: CRBA implements a declared pest rate, matched by the government, to manage priority pests effectively within its operational area.
Feedback and Stakeholder Engagement: CRBA values stakeholder feedback and engagement to ensure effective pest management and operational planning. Stakeholders are invited to provide input on proposed changes, such as a modest increase in the declared pest rate, to support ongoing pest control efforts and essential services. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential in shaping CRBA initiatives and ensuring the sustainability of the region’s environment, agriculture, and communities.