Rural Services, Natural Resource Management and Compliance Services
Budgeted expenditure in the 2023-24 Budget for Rural Services to manage biosecurity and pest (weed and animal) management programmes including supporting biosecurity,
natural resource management initiatives and strategies is a touch over $1 million. “With a good wet season and ideal conditions for weed infestations and feral pest incursions, the Natural Resource Management team have a busy year ahead” said portfolio Councillor Scott Henschen.
This year Council will prioritise the adoption of a South Burnett Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan to drive increased stakeholder coordination and commitment to proactively manage invasive pest species. This plan will involve extensive stakeholder engagement to align Council’s activities to the region’s priorities.
Council will also continue to work with landholders and neighbouring Councils to promote and establish landholder led working groups to undertake coordinated management of feral animals and weeds in strategic areas of the Burnett and Gympie regions. In 2022/23 Council was successful in obtaining funding of $200,000 under the Queensland Feral Pests Initiative – Round 6 to undertake this project which is expected to provide long lasting sustainable management of pest animals and weeds across the region.
A budget allocation of $1,159,502 has been provided for compliance activities during 2023/24 with a significant proportion allocated for Council’s animal control services.
Council’s Environmental Health team will continue to support our community through the administration of various pieces of public health legislation including but not limited to food safety, public health licencing, environmental authority registrations, customer request management, and the regulation of Council's Local Laws and mosquito management.
A review of Council’s Local Laws will be undertaken during the year to ensure these laws are relevant and reflect current community issues.
“Often these services are taken for granted and only gain attention when things go wrong, so I would acknowledge our teams striving to deliver these vital services and look forward to working with the team and the community, on positive outcomes for our region” said Councillor Henschen.
