On-ground management of problematic pests and weeds, including in New England, will see a significant boost through an Australian Government investment of $20 million, matched dollar for dollar by state and territory governments, to maximise impact and deliver collaborative reduction and prevention activities across the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, and Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said pest animals and weeds pose a significant threat to Australia’s primary production, environment and biodiversity.

The Deputy Prime Minister said a reduction of pest animals and weeds will lead to more productive and profitable industries and benefit native wildlife and the environment in New England.

“Projects will target nationally significant pest and weed species, such as feral deer, feral pigs, cats, foxes, rabbits, wild dogs and a range of invasive weeds across identified hot spots.

‘We welcome the commitment from the New South Wales Government to co-invest with us to address this significant issue in New England.

“Pests and weeds are a huge and growing problem for Australia’s agriculture and environment,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Projects will reduce the overall burden of pests and weeds through activities such as coordinated control, destruction and removal, including trapping, baiting and culling along with biological control release.”

For more information see: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/pest-animals-and-weeds

Fast Facts:

• This funding expands on the $29.1 million Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program (2021-22 to 2024-25) to deliver better solutions to combat established pest animals and weeds. The total program funding is now $49.1 million.
• Brings Australian Government investment in established pest animal and weed management programs to over $330 million since 2015 (2014-15 to 2024-25).
• Nationally, the annual cost of established vertebrate pest animals is estimated to be $800 million and over $4 billion for weeds in terms of production losses and control activities. The cost to the environment hasn’t been calculated but is likely to be higher.
• A 2019 ABARES survey found land managers spent an average of $8,189 annually on pest animal management, up from $7,304 in 2016.