2015-04-28 Attachment 2 to item 5 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda - Pest Management Plan 2015-2019

Federal policies and legislation                     • Predation by European Red Fox*
                                                     • Predation by exotic rats on Australian offshore
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy         islands of less than 1000km2 (100,000 ha)
2010-2030 recognises that invasive species           • Predation by feral cats*
continue to be a major cause of pressure and that
climate change is already increasing the impact      • Predation, habitat degradation, competition
of invasive species on biodiversity. The strategy      and disease transmission by feral pigs*
identifies building ecosystem resilience as a        • The biological effects, including lethal toxic
priority for change.                                   ingestion, caused by cane toads (Bufo
                                                       marinus)*
The Australian Weeds Strategy and the Australian     • The reduction in the biodiversity of Australian
                        Pest Animal Strategy           native fauna and flora due to the red imported
                        identify national              fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).
                        priorities for pest
                        management with             *Key Threatening Processes for which a Threat
                        the aim of minimising       Abatement Plan has been prepared
                        impacts on Australia’s
                        environmental,              There are a number of recognised lists of
                        economic and social         weeds of national interest. Weeds of National
                                                    Significance (WONS) have been identified
                                                    because of their invasiveness, impacts on primary
                                                    production and the environment, potential for
                                                    spread and socioeconomic impacts. Each WONS
                                                    has a strategic plan that outlines strategies and
                                                    actions required to control the weed and identifies
                                                    responsibilities for each action. The National
assets. They provide                                Environmental Alert List (the Alert List) for
national leadership for                             environmental weeds identifies 28 plant species
all Australians to work                             that are in the early stages of establishment and
together against the                                have the potential to become a significant threat
serious impact of weeds                             to biodiversity if they are not managed.
and pest animals.
                                                    Weeds of National Significance (WONS):
Under the Environment
                                                     • African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum)
Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 the
Australian Government can list Key Threatening       • Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
Processes and develop and implement Threat           • Athel Pine (Tamarix aphylla)
Abatement and Recovery Plans.                        • Asperagus weeds (Asparagus aethiopicus**,
                                                       Asparagus africanus**, Asparagus
Key threatening processes involving                    asparagoides** Western cape form,
introduced and/or invasive species:                    Asparagus declinatus, Asparagus plumosus**,
 • Competition and land degradation by rabbits*        Asparagus scandens**)
 • Competition and land degradation by               • Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia)
   unmanaged goats*                                  • Bitou Bush/Boneseed** (Chrysanthemoides
 • Dieback caused by the root-rot fungus               monilifera subsp. monilifera and rotundata)
   (Phytophthora cinnamomi)*                         • Blackberry** (Rubus fruticosus aggregate)
 • Invasion of northern Australia by gamba grass     • Brooms (Cytissus scoparius, Genista
   and other introduced grasses                        monspessulana, Genista linifolia)
 • Loss and degradation of native plant and          • Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana)
   animal habitat by invasion of escaped garden      • Cat’s Claw Creeper (Macfadyena unguis-
   plants, including aquatic plants                    cati**)
 • Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity      • Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana)
   following invasion by the yellow crazy ant        • Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis**)
   (Anoplolepis gracilipes) on Christmas Island,
                                                     • Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus)
   India Ocean

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