Western Downs takes out statewide award for top-tier pest management initiative

Western Downs Regional Council received statewide applause for its high-tech and highly effective pest management program.

Rural services team members inspecting pest hotspot data. Photo/Western Downs Regional Council

Western Downs Regional Council’s innovative program to combat pest species has received statewide applause for its commitment to preventing invasive species from damaging the region‘s natural beauty.

The project took out the Community Shaping category at the Local Government Managers Australia Queensland Awards for Excellence last week, which recognises the outstanding achievements of local councils across the state.

The ’Shaping Stronger, More Resilient and Productive Communities’ project has been actively working to improve pest management practices at local, state and national levels by influencing community and council behaviour and practice for the past seven years.

The council’s Spokesman for Planning, Environment and Agribusiness Councillor Andrew Smith said the Award demonstrated Council‘s agile and responsive commitment to pest management.

“The Western Downs is home to a diverse agricultural sector and beautiful natural landscapes so it‘s important Council works to ensure pest species are controlled as effectively as possible,“ Cr Smith said.

“Over the past few years, the council has been continuing to improve its pest management systems and has even introduced the use of artificial intelligence to help track pest animals and use the data to target pest activity.

“This increase in knowledge has made council's pest management processes more effective and has empowered landholders to better-manage pests on their properties which ultimately supports the environment and the economy.

The council has delivered $1.5 million of co-ordinated pest management activity across 2 million hectares since 2014, collaborating with 1,500 landholders, industry, and government bodies.

“This effort has included the erection of 130 kilometres of exclusion fencing and the removal of over 30,000 feral pigs, 10,000 wild dogs, and 1,500 hectares of priority weeds,” Cr Smith said.

“This huge commitment has made a lasting impact and its recognition is a huge accomplishment for the Council and the Western Downs.”

The Community Shaping Award recognises a project or initiative that has educated and informed community opinion leading to sustainable, positive changes in the community.

WDRC was also named a finalist for its ‘Groovin‘ in the Garden’ initiative under the Community Shaping category, and for its COVID-19 Recovery Package under the Sustainability category.