RABBIT POPULATION — ESPERANCE DISTRICT
1153. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to reports that the rabbit
population throughout the district of Esperance has increased to the extent
that it is impacting farmers and the community.
(1) On the basis
that the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 requires landholders
to control pests on their own land, what activities are being undertaken by
Main Roads WA to control rabbits located on road reserves that fall under its
control?
(2) Has the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development been made aware of
the rabbit problem in Esperance; and, if so, what work has been undertaken by
DPIRD to determine the extent of the problem?
(3) What activity has been undertaken by DPIRD to
convene local stakeholders, such as the Shire of Esperance, the
Esperance recognised biosecurity group, relevant state government agencies and
local landholders and farmers, to assist in developing a coordinated response?
The
PRESIDENT: I was about to comment
on the length of the question, but I will allow the parliamentary secretary
to answer.
Hon DARREN
WEST replied:
I thank the honourable member for
the detailed question. On behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food, I provide
the following detailed answer.
(1)–(2) Rabbits
are a widespread and established pest and will always be present in the
environment. Numbers will fluctuate depending on seasonal conditions and I am
advised that there have been ideal breeding conditions for rabbits through
winter and spring—who knew!
The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has released
biocontrol in rabbit hotspots five
times over recent months and confirmed through sampling that the biocontrol
agent is causing mortality in
rabbits. The Shire of Esperance and Tjaltjraak Aboriginal rangers have also
been releasing biocontrol on lands under their management.
I have sought advice from the
Minister for Transport on Main Roads' pest control activity.
(3) DPIRD
supports a coordinated response to widespread and established pests through
funding and support for recognised biosecurity groups. RBGs work with their
communities to determine priority declared pests for control and then work with
relevant stakeholders to coordinate this work at a landscape scale. Rabbit control may be something that the Esperance
RBG could take up, should there be community support for it.