2016-08-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 9 AUGUST 2016


Approved Biosecurity Surveillance Program

A Council Resolution is required to approve the Biosecurity Surveillance Program from 2016 –
2020. The new legislation allows Council to approve this type of program for any time period. The
previous legislation required approval to be annual. The proposed 2016 to 2020 fits with the
current Council term.

The surveillance program will provide relevant officers the necessary authority to enter properties
in accordance with legislation and facilitate a coordinated approach to the management of
invasive plants across the region.

The Act provides for the development of an approved Surveillance Program as follows:

Section 235 (1) (b) empowers a local government to carry out a biosecurity program.

Section 235 (2) (b) requires the local government authorisation to be a resolution of Council.

Section 261(3) of the Act states that an authorised officer may, at reasonable times, enter the
place to take any action authorised by the biosecurity program.

It is proposed that the surveillance program would consist of an annual inspection each year for
the period of the current Council i.e. 2016 to 2020. The region would be divided into four survey
areas and a different area surveyed each quarter. Inspections would be undertaken in each area
at the following times:

A.   Survey Area 1: 1 July to 30 September for the localities of Cooroy, Cooroy Mountain,
     Tinbeerwah, Cooroibah and that part of Doonan that is within the Noosa Council boundary;

B.   Survey Area 2: 1 October – 31 December for the localities of Black Mountain, Federal, and
     those parts of Ridgewood and Eerwah Vale that are within the Noosa Council boundary;

C.   Survey Area 3: 1 January – 31 March for the localities of Kin Kin, Pinbarren, Cooran and
     that part of Como that is within the Noosa Council boundary; and

D.   Survey Area 4: 1 April – 30 June for the localities of Pomona, Lake MacDonald, Ringtail
     Creek, Cootharaba and Boreen Point.


Previous Council Consideration

The Council previously approved the Pest Survey Programs conducted in the period from 1 July
2015 to 30 June 2016.

Finance & Risk

With an increasing number of residents moving to the region (particularly the hinterland areas)
with sometimes limited understanding of rural lifestyles, invasive plants and animals can present
a problem on large and small acreage as well as urban fringe areas.

Failure to deliver the nominated surveillance program could:
•     put at risk the control of invasive plants and animals throughout the region, causing
      environmental damage, loss of biodiversity, agricultural productivity and community
      amenity; and
•     result in Council failing to meet its obligations under the Act to ensure prohibited and
      restricted matter is managed in accordance with the Act.


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