MAIN ROADS — DECLARED PESTS
1306. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to questions without notice
1194 and 1241 to the Minister for Transport.
(1) In view of
the Minister for Transport's response, has the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development initiated any investigations into potential
breaches by Main Roads Western Australia of the Biosecurity and Agricultural
Management Act 2007 related to the control of declared pests within
MRWA-controlled road reserves in the Esperance region?
(2) Can the minister confirm that the current review
of the BAM act includes increased statutory and regulatory mechanisms of
accountability for state government agencies specific to the control of
declared pests and weeds on land under their control?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
I note that rabbits move around, so I am not quite sure why the member is so
convinced that the rabbits are breeding on the roads and not on the farms
adjoining them. It is an interesting idea.
(1) No investigations have been initiated at this
time. It should be understood that breeding conditions for rabbits have been
ideal through winter and spring, resulting in higher populations in Esperance,
and also elsewhere. DPIRD has released biological control in population
hotspots five times over recent months. DPIRD has supported the Shire of
Esperance and the Tjaltjraak Aboriginal rangers to also release biocontrol on
lands under their management. Sampling has confirmed that the biological
control agent is causing mortality in rabbits. Rabbits are not currently a priority
pest of the Esperance Biosecurity Association but could be something it takes
up if it has community and stakeholder support.
(2) As part of
the statutory review of the BAM act, I have appointed an independent panel to
conduct a review that will investigate and
report on the operation and effectiveness of the act, the adequacy of penalties
and any other matters of significance. Under the BAM act, all land
managers, including the state government, have a duty to manage declared pests
on their land. Specific provisions exist relating to the performance of public
authorities in relation to declared pest control. The management of widespread
and established pests across all land tenures is being considered as part of
the review.