Cr Kathy Duff - Natural Resource Management Portfolio Report - 21 March 2018

Biosecurity

Weed Management on Roadsides

Contractors have undertaken weed control on roadsides in the following areas:

• Lantana control in Blackbutt and East Nanango localities
• Giant Rats Tail grass control response throughout Council and Main Roads in the South Burnett
• Annual Rag Weed control in known areas

Strategic Control and Surveillance

Initial treatment of the recently detected Cabomba infestation has occurred. Rainfall has made control difficult however spread mitigation devices on dam and creek waterhole infestations have reduced the capacity for this infestation to spread to further properties downstream.

After extensive on ground inspection of creek lines, dams and other high risk areas to date no further infestations have been detected.  As part of Council’s strategic weed program property inspections are being undertaken in the Bullcamp and Windera areas. Land Protection Officers are meeting with landowners to ensure steps are being undertaken in order to reduce the spread and containment of Giant Rats Tail Grass Infestations.

Feral Animal Management

Wild dog control

• 8 Landowners have used 1080 meat baits covering a total area of 5042 hectares
• 120 Doggone Baits where sold to landowners

Feral Pig control

• 63kg of 1080 impregnated Grain was provided to landowners.

Assistance Programs

Weed Control Trailers were assigned to the following areas:

1. Ellesmere to control Lantana
2. Tingoora to control Lantana and Boxthorn
3. Gordonbrook to control Lantana and Groundsel
4. Wattle Camp to control lantana and Groundsel
5. Bullcamp to control Lantana,
6. Wooroonden to control Giant Rats Tail Grass,

Splatter Guns - Splatter guns were requested and allocated to landowners in Kumbia and Booie for the control of Boxthorn.

Feral Animal Traps

• 1 dog cage trap hired out Nanango East
• 2 cat traps hired out Tingoora and Crawford areas
• 9 foot traps hired out – Boondooma areas

Wandering Stock Management

Livestock call outs were undertaken in the following areas:

• Ballogie, Chelmsford, Wondai, Brooklands, Kingaroy and East Nanango

CAPEX & Work 4 Queensland – update

W4Q

• Dingo & Murgon Park Pathways – have been quoted on and dates are scheduled for after Easter
• Kingaroy Hangr out to quote closes next week
• 300 Bollards due this week early next for the 48 hours stopovers in Wooroolin, Wondai and an area in Murgon.
• Boondooma Dam Water and Electrical - sullage pits arrive this week. Scheduled for after Easter.

Capex

• Helipad out to quote closes this week. Light fittings ordered and materials have arrived for setting light posts.
• Coomba Falls Toilet, awaiting info from supplier for sole supplier
• Murgon Cemetery waiting shelter – ordered, Builder to complete wall: have been following up
• Proston Cemetery – hold pending Lions Park costings
• Yallakool Pool.  A purchase order has been raised and works scheduled and accommodation booked.  Dam Management advised of work dates. Scheduled for week after Easter
• Hospital Bridge renewal – obtained material details and the rep that did the take-off is coming next week to run through the project- starting Request for quotation this week