2016-03-01 Infrastructure and Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               1 MARCH 2016


     Pest and Vector Control Activities

     (i)    Pest Plant
               2015/16 pest survey program – property inspections for declared pest plants in
                 the localities of Cooroy, Cooroy Mountain, Tinbeerwah, Cooriobah, Doonan,
                 Black Mountain, Federal, Ridgewood, Eerwahvale, Kin Kin, Pinbarren, Cooran
                 and Como. About 800 properties have been inspected with 45 requiring follow
                 up i.e. pest control notice, advisory letter or contacted to discuss.
               Pest plant control on Council land – control declared pest plants on road
                 reserve areas, bushland reserves, parkland and waste transfer and landfill sites
                 (Fireweed). Control of Groundsel bush, Lantana and Singapore daisy in
                 Girraween Nature Refuge over the past few months. Control of Cat’s Claw
                 Creeper along Kin Kin Ck continuing.
               DTMR contract – work associated with an annual contract with the Department
                 of Transport and Main Roads for the control of declared pest plants in State
                 controlled road reserve areas.

     (ii)   Pest Animal
               Feral pig control at Teewah Airstrip – trapping and 1080 baiting to address
                 ongoing damage being caused by feral pigs on the Teewah airstrip. Next
                 baiting is planned.
               Fox control - trapping in Girraween Nature Refuge, Noosa Nth Shore, Teewah
                 airstrip and Teewah Beach village in November 2015. Trapping over the past
                 few weeks to remove foxes predating on Loggerhead turtle eggs in the Marcus
                 Beach area (working with the local turtle care group).
               Wild dog control - trapping for wild dog control on properties around Kin Kin,
                 Pinbarren, Lake MacDonald, Tinbeerwah, Federal, Black Mountain, Noosa Nth
                 Shore. 1080 baiting in the Kin Kin and Pinbarren areas targeting wild dogs
                 predating on livestock.
               Firearms management procedures – safety audit conducted in December 2015
                 and reviewing and updating current firearms management procedures. All staff
                 attending firearms refresher training on Thursday 18/02/16.

     Scheduled
             1080 baiting - coordinated 1080 baiting program for wild dog control starting in
               April.
             Feral Deer Project - starting a joint project with Biosecurity Queensland in the
               next few months for the survey and control of feral deer populations in the
               Tinbeerwah, Cooroy Mountain and Lake MacDonald areas. Project will involve
               night surveys using a thermal imager, GPS collaring of animals and
               implementing control in some areas.
             Biosecurity Act 2016 – training on the new Biosecurity Act which will replace
               the current Land Protection Act in July 2016

3.   STAFF

   The Coordinator Environmental Health position has been filled. Geoff Atherfold has been
     appointed and commenced with Council 15 February 2016. Geoff comes to us from Central
     Highlands Regional Council (Emerald).
   Thanks to Terry Steer who has been acting in this position. Terry has returned to his role
     as Environmental Health Officer.
   Richard Mylan remains on extended sick leave.
   Quote request to contract out elements of the Wild Dog Control Program using the Gympie
     Regional Council arrangements to provide Pest and Vector Management Services is
     currently being progressed.

                                                                                  Page 80 of 81