More pest money needed

A“There is a great opportunity for Landcare groups to help deliver the aims of this project. There are a lot of active groups and members, many who are farmers who understand the issues. It would be great to have Landcare working alongside the State Government” – Jonathan Starks, left

major Federal Government pest-control funding announcement has attracted a mixed response from a leading Wimmera Landcare figure.

Hindmarsh Landcare Network facilitator Jonathan Starks said he welcomed the funding, but the vastness of the issue needed a greater financial response.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, during a visit to the Wimmera, announced a $20-million package to deal with pests and weeds across Australia.

State and territory governments will match the funding.

Mr Starks said the Wimmera would benefit from funding to help control pest animals, but 32 weed species listed as a priority in the program were irrelevant for the region.

He said farmers were in a constant battle with many other varieties.

Mr Starks listed African love grass as an example.

“All farmers deal with agricultural weeds, it is a constant battle to exclude them from crops and to have healthy pastures,” he said.

Mr Starks questioned the Federal Government’s stand about feral cats being a serious agricultural issue, but welcomed fox control as critical in Wimmera-mallee agriculture.

He said feral cats were more a biodiversity than agricultural issue.

“Targeting foxes and wild dogs in this region will help – particularly in areas where livestock farmers are running sheep,” he said.

Mr Starks said he also heard reports of increased rabbit populations affecting farmland.

“Rabbits are returning because of winter rain, you don’t want too many of them,” he said.

“There is also growing rabbit resistance to biological control with calicivirus.

“The virus has various levels of effects.

“There are always issues with resistance with these viruses.

Mr Starks said funding for the program needed clarity.

“There is a great opportunity for Landcare groups to help deliver the aims of this project,” he said.

“There are a lot of active groups and members, many who are farmers who understand the issues.

“It would be great to have Landcare working alongside the State Government.”

The latest funding expands on the Federal Government’s $29.1million Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program from 2021-22 to 202425 to deal with pest animals and weeds.