Biosecurity and pest management

Weeds and pest animals pose a significant risk to our natural environment and native species. They can also significantly impact on the agricultural sector, human health and recreation.

Under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, everyone has a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) to take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent or minimise a biosecurity risk. The GBO encourages all relevant parties to take a proactive role in preventing, managing and addressing biosecurity risks that relate to them. Mackay Regional Council aims to work collaboratively with not only landholders in the region but also our neighbouring councils.

All residents can play their part in protecting our environment by reporting any pest plants or animals they come across. Please contact council’s Pest Management officers on 1300 622 529 if you have concerns.

Biosecurity Plan

The purpose of the plan is to outline effective and efficient ways to control invasive plants and animals. It also educates landholders about the importance of managing pests on their own properties. While educating landholders in the importance of managing pests on their own properties. The plan also helps council to prioritise where they should be targeting their resources/species to control.

The plan provides details of the various invasive and prohibited species in our region and their level of priority.

Mackay Regional Council's Biosecurity Plan 2022-2026(PDF, 623KB)

Pest plants (weeds)

Environmental weeds are plants that do not naturally occur in an area and can invade areas of natural habitat. They are usually introduced from other countries or areas and spread to bushland and areas of natural vegetation, where they become weeds, threatening the survival of native species. More than 170 species of weeds have been detected in the Mackay region.

The Mackay Regional Pest Management Group has chosen the following 15 pest plants as high priorities for control in the Mackay Whitsunday region:

  • Mimosa pigra
  • Giant Rat's Tail Grass
  • Sicklepod
  • Parthenium
  • Hymenachne
  • Rubbervine
  • Salvinia
  • Water Hyacinth
  • Water Lettuce
  • Singapore Daisy
  • Bellyache Bush
  • Prickly Acacia
  • Parkinsonia
  • Giant Sensitive Plant
  • Mother of Millions

View the Biosecurity Plan for the full list of invasive species.

For identification and management, visit the Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries website.

Pest animals

There are several species of local animals classified as pests:

  • Ferals cats
  • Dingoes and wild dogs
  • European rabbits
  • Feral pigs
  • European foxes

For more information on animal pest species and management, visit www.pestsmart.org.au.

Feral cats

A feral cat is any cat which does not have an owner. Cats can be classified as 'feral', 'semi-feral' or 'domestic'. Feral cats are those born into the wild without human intervention and semi-feral cats have been cared for by humans at some point, before being abandoned or lost and forced to live wild.

The common house cat will often retain its strong predator instinct, even if raised as a devoted family pet in a domestic environment. If abandoned, many domestic cats will quickly adapt to their environment and become feral in appearance and behaviour.

Feral cats will hunt a wide range of native Australian wildlife such as birds, reptiles, small mammals, fish, insects and amphibians. Even if well fed, feral and semi-feral cats will hunt and kill wildlife.

Feral cats will often look similar to domestic cats, however may have a stockier or stronger build. They tend to live in small family groups with a dominant male, several females and their young.

Classified as a Class 2 pest animal under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, it is the responsibility of local government, the community and landowners to manage feral cats.

What can I do?

Being a responsible pet owner is one of the most important steps we can take to control feral cats in our local community.

Remember to:

  • Register and micro-chip your cat
  • Desex your cat
  • Regularly worm and vaccinate them, and
  • Pick up after your cat.

There are a number of ways landowners can make their properties less inviting and accessible to feral cats:

  • Install electric fencing, or non-electrified fencing with netted roofing or a curved overhang
  • Install cage traps
  • Remove weeds and rubbish
  • Do not feed
  • Monitor your property

 

 

 

 

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