Plant and animal pests, and diseases pose a significant threat to our environment and cultural places.
We're working with Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Torres Shire Council (TSC), and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) to develop a Regional Pest Management Strategy to address this threat.
Torres Strait Regional Biosecurity Strategy
The Regional Biosecurity Strategy will build on existing knowledge.
Our pest management plans and Country Plans (being developed by the Island Land and Sea Rangers) help identify plant and animal pest issues and ways to manage them.
We've consulted our communities on the weeds and pest animals affecting the islands and what needs to be done to address the problem.
The Regional Biosecurity Strategy will:
- identify plant and animal pest and animal disease priorities
- provide a framework for decision making and coordinating plant and animal pest and animal disease projects
- define the various roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders with pest management responsibilities in the Torres Strait
- identify opportunities for island Council staff and island rangers to work together and share resources
- raise awareness of pest issues and provide education opportunities for community.
A number of Environmental Health staff will be authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2014 when it is enacted later this year.