The draft plans were a direct result from the NSW Government after a Natural Resource Commission report into pest animal management.

Local Land Services chair Richard Bull said nearly 50 face-to-face information sessions were held across the state to explain how the plans were developed, what they mean for land managers and the community and how to provide input.

“The plans target priority pests in each region and outline how government agencies, community groups and landholders will work together to prevent, contain and manage the impacts of pest animals,” he said.

“They will also guide investment decisions for existing government, industry and individual landholder resources that can be dedicated to coordinated pest animal management.

“With the introduction of the Biosecurity Act 2015, the regional strategic pest animal management plans can be used by all community members to meet their general biosecurity duty obligations.”

Hunter Regional Pest Committee chair Art Brown said there had been great interest across the community about the plans and what they mean at a local level.

“We received 37 responses about the Hunter draft regional plan, we are now incorporating that feedback to make sure we’ve got the plans right and that they meet the needs of our region,” he said.

“The top priority pest animal species in our region include wild dogs, foxes and deer and we’ve outlined tools and best practice methods to help contain and control these species.

“Once in place, the plans will provide a funded and coordinated approach to the management of pest animals under the Biosecurity Act.”

The Hunter region is well-placed to implement these plans. 

Hunter Local Land Services have already tripled the operational funds for biosecurity with an annual program of $1.4 million.