Did you know pest plants and animals are estimated to have an economic impact of $600 million a year on the Queensland economy? And there is over 150,000ha of land infested with declared weeds in the Whitsunday Region alone?
There are many different types of plants and animals which are considered pests in the Whitsunday Region, and which cause damage to our waterways, grazing land and agricultural industries. Some of these include feral pigs, cats and wild dogs, carp and tilapia in the waterways, and plants such as prickly pear and lantana.
To help combat the huge economic and environmental losses caused by pest species, we have a Whitsunday Biosecurity Plan(PDF, 2MB) and Surveillance Plan for Invasive Plants and Animals(PDF, 1MB) which guides proactive pest management across the Region.
Under the Queensland Biosecurity Act (2014), local governments are required to have a Biosecurity Plan which covers all private and public land. Our plan is consistent with the priorities and directions that are set by national, state and regional pest management strategies.
Biosecurity is an issue which affects everyone in the Whitsunday Region. We developed this plan in consultation with key stakeholders and the general community, and we review our priorities and actions on a regular basis with input from the community.
To protect our native plants, animals and diverse range of habitats, we need to remain informed about pests and take action to control their impact on our environment. You can do your part by making sure your pets are properly cared for, controlling pests on your property and reporting any pest animals or plants.
Feral Animals
We have a feral animal control program to assist landholders to reduce feral animal numbers on their property, which includes activities such as trapping, baiting and aerial shooting. Find out more in our Report – Feral Animal Program(PDF, 1MB).
These are the main pest animals in the Region:
- Feral pigs
- Wild dogs
- Yellow Crazy Ants
- Tilapia fish
- Feral deer
- Feral cats
- European rabbits
- European foxes
Weeds
Weeds are one of the biggest threats to our natural biodiversity and can have a huge impact on agricultural businesses, so we have developed a Weed Washdown Strategy(PDF, 2MB) and Weed Management Program. This program offers financial incentives for certain landholders to buy herbicide and hire machinery to reduce weed infestations on their property.
Find out more about the program via the Weed Management Program report(PDF, 801KB), and download the Weed Management Incentive Scheme(PDF, 178KB) and Invasive Weed Disposal flyers(PDF, 698KB).
You can view more information about specific invasive weeds on the Queensland Government website.
Mosquitos
Mosquitoes are flying insects which can spread diseases such as Dengue Fever, Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus and Japanese Encephalitis to humans and animals. Mosquitos can also spread heartworm in dogs.
Mosquitos breed in fresh or saltwater that has been stagnant for longer than five days, such as containers, drains, tidal areas and bodies of water. Mosquitoes can be blown many kilometres from their breeding sites to residential areas, where they can become a nuisance.
Some saltmarsh and freshwater mosquitoes are capable of transmitting diseases such as Ross River Virus, whereas others only cause nuisance. The Dengue Fever mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) breeds in artificial water-filled containers.
We conduct on-site inspections at various public areas across the Region, including roadsides, drains and parks where mosquitos are likely to breed. We use chemical control, such as Larvicides, as our preferred method to reduce the number of larvae at known breeding sites before they mature.
Tips to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:
- Stay indoors when mosquitos are most active, at dawn and dusk
- Use a mosquito repellent when outdoors
- Cover up in light-coloured long-sleeved shorts, long pants and hat when outdoors
Tips to protect your home from mosquitos:
- Screen your doors and windows
- Keep gutters clean
- Remove all containers which could hold water in your yard
- Fill any holes which could hold water in your yard
- Tip out your pot plant bases once a week, or fill with sand
- Do not overwater your yard
- Chlorinate swimming pools
- Keep native fish in your ponds, dams or other permanent bodies of water
- Use mosquito-proof screens and flap valves at every opening of rainwater tanks
Find out more about Dengue Fever by viewing the Dengue Fever factsheet(PDF, 276KB).
Yellow Crazy Ants
Yellow Crazy Ants are one of the biggest threats to our liveability, biodiversity and tourism industry, with current ‘known outbreaks’ at Shute Harbour, Hamilton Island, Funnel Bay and Woodwark. Yellow Crazy Ants have a wide range of impacts, costing our region over $350k to control outbreaks since 2018. In large numbers, they can disrupt entire ecosystems with their veracious appetites, aggressive nature and ability to create 'super colonies' across large areas, with a history of attacking pets and humans alike.
Review our fact sheet(PDF, 390KB) to understand the impacts of Yellow Crazy Ants and what to look out for. We anticipate that Yellow Crazy Ants are entering our region via construction materials or machinery from infested areas in Townsville, so industry professionals and residents nearby new renovations, construction or landscaping should be highly aware of how to identify Yellow Crazy Ants to ensure outbreaks can be managed.
Report Yellow Crazy Ants by emailing info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 972 753. We will attend the site of the infestation to identify and prepare controls at no cost to you.