Council endorses plan to tackle pest animals, plants

THE Toowoomba Regional Council has recommended the adoption of a new biosecurity plan for invasive plants and animals across the region.

Invasive plant Opuntia monacantha, commonly known as drooping prickly pear.

THE Toowoomba Regional Council has recommended the adoption of a new biosecurity plan for invasive plants and animals across the region.

The new plan will replace the previous Toowoomba Region Pest Management Plan and reflects the significant recent legislative changes in the management of pests.

TRC environment and community services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said the new Biosecurity Plan guides the management of invasive plants and animals in the region.

"The new plan defines the council's key function in administering the Biosecurity Act 2014 at a local government level," Cr McMahon said.

"Biosecurity is a national issue that council manages locally.

"The plan aims to embrace a scalable approach to biosecurity management that can equally apply from the paddock and property through to locality, regional, state or national scale."

Cr McMahon said a significant part of the new plan involved stronger ties with neighbouring councils to tackle invasive plant and animal challenges at a regional level.

"The plan has been drafted in consultation with the council's biosecurity advisory committee and accounts for local government's responsibilities under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014," he said.

"The recommendation to adopt the new biosecurity plan will be presented for approval at the council's ordinary meeting next week."