FAQ

Declared pests are animals or plants declared under the Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Species can be declared as Class 1, 2 or 3 pests, and there are legal requirements to control these species. Some plants or animals are considered pests but are not declared under any Queensland law.

A prohibited plant is one that must be removed as part of any works associated with a development consent or approved landscape works. A declared plant is one which has been declared under the Land Protection Act.

Plant and animal pests have a significant impact on the natural environment, economic, social and cultural values of the Gold Coast. Pest species degrade natural ecosystems, impact on agricultural productivity, threaten biodiversity, impact on human health and interfere with recreation and cultural uses and values of an area. Managing these pest species is a priority for the City of Gold Coast and a necessary tool for all stakeholders in controlling the spread and impact of pest species.

The plan applies to all land and waterways within the City of Gold Coast Local Government Area and targets the various classes of pest species listed under the Land Protection Act, including land owned or controlled by the State Government, Council, public utilities, private companies, corporations and individuals. The plan does not apply to land owned by the Commonwealth.

No. The plan does not cover marine pests, native (nuisance) animals and plants, non-declared animals, domestic or public health pests (including rodents, mosquitoes, midges and cockroaches), nor bacteria, viruses, or other microorganism that can cause disease in humans, domestic animals and livestock. These pests are generally covered by federal or state legislation, regional strategies or by local laws of the City of Gold Coast.

This plan has a four year lifespan, commencing when it is formally adopted by City of Gold Coast. It will undergo a minor review each year with a full review prior to its expiry on 30 June 2017. This will allow any changes in pest distribution and population to be incorporated into the plan.

The Gold Coast Pest Management Plan provides the basis for the cooperative management of pests by all stakeholders across the City of Gold Coast Local Government Area.

Yes. All individuals must comply with the Land Protection Act to not introduce or spread declared pest species.

All landowners, (excluding Commonwealth), state, local government, industries, private landowners etc, must take reasonable steps to keep land under their care and control free of Class 1 and 2 declared pest species, and Class 3 where their land is in or adjacent to an Environmentally Significant Area.

Businesses and individuals may be responsible for the cost of meeting the requirements under the Land Protection Act in their own properties. All stakeholders have a responsibility to resource the implementation of this plan, although external funding sources such as Caring for Country or the Biodiversity Fund may be able to provide funding for pest management programs, where the pest program aligns with strategic actions identified in higher level plans, policies and strategies.

Yes, in some instances. This is when individuals have ignored a notice to remove or eradicate a pest from their land within a set timeframe. A number of individual work areas within City of Gold Coast can assist with the identification and effective management of pest plants and animals. Council conducts regular pest surveys in communities to identify the location of pest plants and animals.

Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) are designated zones of high biodiversity and need protection against pest plants and animals. The ESAs in the Gold Coast are mapped in the plan.

Declared pest plant and animal species are listed in the plan (Appendix D).Draft Gold Coast Pest Management Plan 2013-2017

Fire ants were listed under the Plant Protection Act because it has better powers to eradicate fire ants and there is a national cost sharing framework available for plant pests which allows for the eradication program to receive funding. Biosecurity Queensland leads the coordination of this program.

NOTE: The Gold Coast region has been declared fire ant free since December 2012 after successful eradication programs.

All native wildlife is owned by the State Government and is protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act. Management intervention cannot be undertaken without approval from the Department for Environment and Heritage Protection. Native wildlife species that may be considered a pest problem include magpies, brush turkeys, white ibis, flying foxes, crows, snakes and noisy miners.

A number of actions can be taken to address problems caused by these species. Please refer to the Draft Gold Coast Pest Management Plan for more details.

Biosecurity Queensland 13 25 23

City of Gold Coast 1300 MY GCCC