Executive Officer Kylie has happily and safely welcomed a new member to the Fletcher family. Marcus John arrived a little earlier than planned but everyone is doing well.
Glenice Batchelor has joined SBG until Kylie’s return from maternity leave in January 2021.
Glenice has had a long involvement with Agriculture, Landcare and NRM and more recently working with DPIRD as a Biosecurity Officer. She helped develop the Northern Biosecurity Group and the new Midlands Biosecurity Group and supported other agricultural RBGs for several years.
Contacts remain the same and like Kylie, Glenice works part-time, so if you need a response, please be patient.
Declared Pest Rate priorities 20/21
Wild Dogs
From July 1st, Alpha Pest Animal Solutions are contracted until June 30th 2022 to assist with Wild Dog management. Gavern House is the Director and a Licenced Pest Management Technician (LPMT) with over 18 years of experience.
If you have stock losses from a wild dog attack contact Gavern directly on 0499 304307 Immediately to report and if possible, he’ll assist within 24/48 hours.
Remember, you need an approved RCP Permit for your own control activities and for Gavern to be able to work on your land. Contact DPIRD for information on Restricted Chemical Product Permits.
Rabbits
Good news for Rabbit control! Through the Declared Pest Rate, SBG is now able to fund an extension of the Calicivirus (RHDV) program via RAIN.
This doesn’t replace landholder’s usual management responsibility, warren ripping, baiting etc but can assist.
We’ve had feedback from Dr Susan Campbell, the rabbit guru in the West, which will help us fine-tune and make the Rabbit control program even better—another priority funded by the Declared Pest Rate. Remember to contact Jack at RAIN if you are interested in being involved in a new or repeat late Spring release of the virus. He’s our local guru!
Other Pests and Weeds
Foxes, Cactus and Apple of Sodom weed work will also be happening- in partnership with the Shire and RAIN.
Bridal Creeper control will also continue as an important priority activity funded through the Declared Pest Rate. Southern Biosecurity Group has funded a project that aims to control 4.6 hectares of bridal creeper along the highly visible Hopetoun foreshore.
Drought Funding
The Shire of Ravensthorpe’s Commonwealth Drought funding success means that Southern Biosecurity Group will be collaborating with the Shire and RAIN to implement additional pest management work and add more value to SBGs existing programs. RAIN is managing this funding so check usual channels of communication and later on the SBG website.
IFS Funding
Southern Biosecurity has successfully gained funding from the Goat and Sheep Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) to monitor the extensions to the State Barrier Fence – before, during and after.
SBG is partnering with the Esperance Biosecurity Association to implement the program in September – if weather and equipment permits.
Animal recognition software will be used by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to identify wild dog activity across the two shires.
We are happy to provide information on the annual operational plan and activities.
More than 90% of the Declared Pest Rate for last financial year (2019/20) has been received.
If you didn’t receive an original invoice – please make contact so we can advise DPIRD and the Office of State Revenue to update their records.
This year’s DPR Assessments are due out towards the end of September. The collected DPR is matched dollar for dollar by the State Government. By coordinating activities and targeting specific priority pests, everyone can help make a difference.
You can help further by providing feedback on which pests you are concerned about, by completing the Annual Pest Management Survey. There is a link on the SBG website or you can email or simply mail back the hard copy included in the Annual SBG letter to landholders.
