Cook Shire Council will share in $2.7 million of TC Jasper recovery funding to address its feral animal and weed challenges. Photo: Supplied.
More than two years on, the destructive impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper continue to be felt, with flooding exacerbating the region’s invasive pest and weed issues.
Cook Shire Council is one of five local councils and two natural resource management groups sharing in $2.7 million to address the challenges and protect the area’s agricultural and tourism industries.
Mayor Robyn Holmes said the funding was crucial to long-term recovery.
“The widespread flooding that followed Tropical Cyclone Jasper had a devastating impact on river systems, farmland and natural environments across Cook Shire, accelerating the spread of invasive weeds and feral animals, including feral pigs, into vulnerable areas,” she said.
“Invasive pests and weeds pose a significant threat to biodiversity, waterways and agricultural productivity, and can place an increasing burden on landholders.
“A coordinated eradication program is essential to address these impacts and protect liveability and environmental values of our communities into the future.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said the program was essential in helping farmers and landholders in Cook Shire.
“Feral pigs and invasive weeds add to farmers’ workload and landholders’ costs in what can feel like a never-ending battle,” he said.
“A coordinated eradication program, targeting all known sites, will help farmers fight these destructive pests and weeds.”
The package being delivered by the Department of Primary Industries’ Pest and Weed Management Program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said that under the Biosecurity Act 2014, the management of invasive plants and animals was a shared responsibility, and working with federal and local-level partners was important for success.
“Our objective with this funding package is to repair the environment by working with local partners to deliver positive environmental outcomes,” he said.
“Disasters like TC Jasper create favourable conditions for pests and weeds to thrive, as seeds are transported on the wind or in flooding, dispersing the invasive pests further, particularly in proximity to waterways.”
