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Central West Region
Pest
Management
Strategy
2003 - 2006
NSW
NATIONAL
PARKS AND
WILDLIFE
SERVICE
 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2003.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced without prior written permission from NPWS.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
43 Bridge Street
(PO Box 1967)
Hurstville NSW 2220
Telephone: 02 9585 6444
www.npws.nsw.gov.au
For further information contact:
Pest Management Officer
Central West Region, Western Directorate
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Level 2, 203 – 209 Russell St
Bathurst NSW 2795
Telephone: 02 6332 9488
Cover image: Central West Region staff trapping feral pigs with staff from Molong Rural
Lands Protection Board at Mount Canobolas SRA.
Photograph by Steve Woodhall (NSW NPWS).
This plan should be cited as follows:
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (2003). Central West Region Pest Management
Strategy 2003-2006. NPWS, Hurstville, NSW.
ISBN 0 7313 6693 X
Regional Pest Management Strategies
Foreword
Pest animals and weeds are the targets of the five regional pest management strategies for
central and western NSW. The strategies are an initiative of the National Parks and Wildlife
Service (NPWS) and have been released by the Western Directorate for public information.
The release of the pest management strategies follows a two-month public exhibition of draft
strategies during August and September 2002, which provided an opportunity for the
community to have their say in how they were developed.
These strategies recognise that pest species are a problem across the landscape and they
aim to maximise the effectiveness of pest control programs, particularly through cooperative
programs with neighbours and others.
The NPWS is committed to a regional approach to pest management where the programs are
developed and often undertaken in collaboration with neighbours, other government
agencies, rural lands protection boards, local government councils, regional pest committees,
CSIRO, universities and community groups such as Landcare, and Bushcare volunteers.
These documents identify the major pest populations within the regions, and establish priority
control programs. The aim is to apply best practice, humane, cost effective methods, which
will have minimal impacts on the environment. In general this requires careful planning, to
ensure an integrated approach is adopted using a range of techniques at critical times of the
year, and often, the targeting of more than one species.
The pest management strategies establish direction for pest management activities within the
NPWS' western regions until 2006. The year to year focus of control activities will vary with
climatic conditions and available funding. The annual work programs will be set out in
Regional operation plans. For further information on these details I encourage you to contact
the Regional Manager in your Region.
TERRY KORN
DIRECTOR WESTERN
Table of Contents
1
Background ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.1
Introduction .................................................................................................................1
1.2
Central West Region ..................................................................................................1
1.3
Legislation and Policy .................................................................................................3
1.3.1
1.3.2
1.3.3
1.3.4
1.3.5
1.3.6
1.3.7
National Parks and Wildlife (NPW) Act 1974 ................................................................... 3
Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995 ......................................................... 3
Rural Lands Protection (RLP) Act 1998 ........................................................................... 3
Noxious Weeds Act 1993 ................................................................................................. 4
Wild Dog Destruction (WDD) Act 1921 ............................................................................ 4
Other Relevant Legislation ............................................................................................... 4
NPWS Field Management Policies .................................................................................. 4
2
Management Strategy ...................................................................................................... 5
3
Objectives of Pest Control Programs ............................................................................. 5
4
Pest Programs and Threatened Species ........................................................................ 6
4.1
Past Pest Management ..............................................................................................6
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
5
6
Pest animals..................................................................................................................... 6
Weeds .............................................................................................................................. 8
Threatened Species....................................................................................................9
Regional Priorities .......................................................................................................... 10
5.1
Criteria for Prioritising Pest Species Programs ........................................................10
5.2
Regional Assessment...............................................................................................11
Programs ......................................................................................................................... 13
6.1
Pest Animal Species.................................................................................................13
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
6.1.4
6.1.5
6.1.6
6.1.7
6.2
European Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes................................................................................ 13
Feral Pig - Sus scrofa..................................................................................................... 14
Feral Goat – Capra hircus .............................................................................................. 15
European Wild Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus .............................................................. 15
Wild Dogs – Canis familiaris .......................................................................................... 16
Feral Cat - Felis catus .................................................................................................... 16
Feral Deer species ......................................................................................................... 17
Weed Species ..........................................................................................................18
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
St John’s Wort – Hypercium perforatum ........................................................................ 18
Blackberry – Rubus fruiticosus ....................................................................................... 18
Serrated Tussock – Nassella trichotoma........................................................................ 19
7
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 20
8
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ 20
9
Further Reading and References .................................................................................. 21
Index of Figures
Figure 1: Map of Central West Region. ................................................................................2
Index of Tables
Table 1: Distribution of pest animal species in Central West Region. .............................7
Table 2: Distribution of weed species in Central West Region. ........................................9
Table 3: Threatened species protection programs in Central West Region. .................10
Table 4: Priority classes for pest species..........................................................................11
Table 5: Priority classification of pest animal control in Central West Region. ............12
Table 6: Priority classification of noxious weed control in Central West Region. ........12
Appendices
Appendix 1: Timing of Weed Control Programs………………………………………..…....23
Appendix 2: Timing of Pest Animal Control Programs…………………………………......23
Appendix 3: Noxious Weeds of Central West Region ......................................................24
Appendix 4: Emerging Pest Issues ....................................................................................25
This Pest Management Strategy outlines
how the NPWS manages pest species. In
this strategy, the term “pest species” refers
to introduced species of weeds and pest
animals.
1 Background
1.1 Introduction
Introduced pest species can seriously
impact upon the biodiversity of reserved
areas by modifying species richness,
abundance, and ecosystem function. They
can also have significant impacts on the
economic
and
social
values
of
neighbouring areas.
1.2 Central West Region
The Central West Region covers a 58,061
square kilometre area, including 98,131
hectares of estate managed by the NPWS.
This consists of 12 nature reserves (NR),
four national parks (NP), three historic
sites (HS) and two state recreation areas
(SRA). The operational management of
the Region is undertaken by two Areas:
Lachlan Area and Macquarie Area, based
at Forbes and Bathurst, respectively. The
Region
encompasses
13
Local
Government Areas and six State
electorates (Rigby 2000).
This Pest Management Strategy is a
review of the 1997 Bathurst District Pest
Management Plan and establishes the
strategic direction for pest management
activities within lands managed by the
National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NPWS) in the Central West Region over
the period 2003 - 2006. Priorities and
programs for recent additions to the
NPWS estate are still being finalised and
will be included in subsequent revisions of
the strategies.
The landform types and associated
vegetation of the Region fall into three
main groupings: the sandstone complex
(which has its western boundary in the
region of Lithgow); the Central
Tablelands portion (the Bathurst-OrangeCarcoar-Portland area); and the Central
Western Slopes to the west. In addition, a
small area falls within the Central Western
Plains of the state (Cardale 1987).
This
strategy
incorporates
further
information collated from weed mapping,
neighbour liaison, field survey work and
information
received
from
key
stakeholders. The strategy also includes
pest planning for the recent new additions
to NPWS managed lands and the changes
to the Regional boundaries.
The Central West is one of the most
disturbed regions in Australia. It has a
long history of European agriculture, with
settlement commencing in 1815. This
history, combined with the undulating
landform, has allowed extensive clearing
and development.
Land clearing has
accounted for a 50% loss of vegetation in
the Central Tablelands, 86% loss in the
Central Western Slopes, and 82% loss in
the Central Western Plains.
The aim of this strategy is to maximise the
effectiveness of pest control programs,
and identify the major pest species
populations within the Region, and
establishes criteria for prioritising control
programs. The strategy provides a brief
summary of control programs to be
undertaken. Specific details of individual
programs are addressed in operational pest
control plans.
Thus settlement intensification brought
extensive permanent changes to the
natural environment. Feral species, along
with cultivation, fertilizers and extensive
use of fire for pasture improvement led to
reduced diversity, extent and quality of
habitats,
and
the
reduction
or
It is envisaged that this review of the
strategy will continue to improve the
development,
coordination
and
implementation
of
pest
species
management within Central West Region.
1
extermination of
(Goldney 1987).
indigenous
the importance of both on and off park
conservation. It is recognised that the
impacts
from
pest
species
can
significantly threaten the conservation
values of smaller fragmented reserves.
species
The Central West can therefore be
considered a disturbed natural ecosystem
with agriculture being the principle
industry. The Region has been described
as “an archipelago of woodland and forest
islands in a sea of agriculture” (Goldney
1987). Consequently, the limited areas of
remnant
vegetation
are
extremely
important for the continued conservation
of biodiversity in the Central West.
Hill End Historic Site and Mount
Canobolas SRA attract over 100,000
visitors annually and are major regional
features, providing important outdoor
recreation and tourism opportunities to the
Central West and Sydney area.
The largest protected area in the Region is
the 42,000 hectare Goobang National
Park,
which
presents
significant
challenges in fire and pest management.
This extensive clearing has created a park
system comprising a mosaic of fragmented
and isolated reserves, which emphasises
Figure 1: Map of Central West Region. The NPWS Macquarie Area incorporates the Dubbo, Wellington,
Blayney, Evans, Bathurst and Orange Local Government Areas (LGAs). Narromine, Parkes, Lachlan, Forbes
and Weddin LGAs comprise the Lachlan Area. Cabonne LGA is split between the two Areas.
2
control processes under the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Thus,
proponents are required to assess the
likely impact of a development or activity
on threatened species, populations or
ecological communities or their habitats.
1.3 Legislation and
Policy
The NPWS has a number of statutory
responsibilities in relation to pest species
management, and has also established a
number of related policies.
1.3.1
1.3.3
The pest animal provisions of the RLP Act
commenced on 28 September 2001. The
RLP Act sets out the conditions under
which “animals, birds and insects” can
become "declared" pests and provides for
the control of such pest species.
National Parks and Wildlife
(NPW) Act 1974
This Act vests the care, control and
management of National Parks, Nature
Reserves, Historic Sites and Aboriginal
Areas with the Director-General of the
NPWS.
Key management objectives
include conservation, provision of
appropriate scientific and educational
opportunities, and management of fire and
pest species. These are achieved through
the preparation and implementation of
Plans of Management for each reserve,
which identify pest species present,
control strategies and priorities for that
reserve. This Pest Management Strategy
incorporates actions identified in Plans of
Management that have been completed
within the Central West Region.
1.3.2
Rural Lands Protection (RLP)
Act 1998
Gazettal of pest species occurs through
Pest Control Orders [s.143] which allow
the Minister for Agriculture to specify
which species are pests, either on a
statewide or local basis, and the conditions
or factors that apply to the control of each
pest. Rabbits, wild Dogs and feral Pigs
have been declared pest animals
throughout NSW.
The RLP Act binds the Crown for the
control of pest animals declared under the
Act [s.142]. Public land managers such as
the NPWS are required to eradicate
(continuously suppress and destroy) pest
animals "…to the extent necessary to
minimise the risk of the pest causing
damage to any land" using any lawful
method or, if the Order specifies a method
to be used, by the method specified
[s.156(1)]. The Minister for Agriculture
must consult with the Service before
making a Pest Control Order that applies
to lands managed by the NPWS [s.147].
Threatened Species
Conservation (TSC) Act 1995
The main objective of the TSC Act is to
conserve biological diversity. The Act
provides for the listing of threatened
species, populations and ecological
communities. The Act also provides for
the preparation and implementation of
recovery plans for threatened species,
populations and ecological communities
and the designation of areas as habitat
critical to the survival of those listed as
endangered. The Act provides for the
identification
of
key
threatening
processes, and the amelioration of these
through
the
preparation
and
implementation of threat abatement plans.
Fauna listed under Schedule 1 or 2 of the
Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995 cannot be declared as pests
[s.143(5)].
The Minister for the
Environment must be consulted before any
native fauna is declared a pest [s.144(2)].
The Pest Control Order for wild Dogs,
gazetted on 2 October 2001, provides for
the general destruction obligation for
lands listed in Schedule 2 of the Order
One of the major features of the Act is the
integration of the conservation of
threatened species into the development
3
Ø Occupational Health and Safety Act
2000
will be satisfied through a wild dog
management plan [s.156(4)] that addresses
both control and conservation objectives
and has been approved by the relevant
RLP Board for that District. Schedule 2
lists 254 reserves considered to contain
high quality Dingo habitat on lands
managed by the NPWS, State Forests of
NSW, Sydney Catchment Authority and
unoccupied Crown land managed by the
Department of Land and Water
Conservation.
1.3.4
Ø Environmental
Planning
Assessment Act 1979
Ø Firearms Act 1996 and the Firearms
(General Regulation) 1997
Ø Heritage Act
Ø Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
1979
Ø Pesticides Act 1999
Noxious Weeds Act 1993
Ø Occupational Health and Safety Act
1983
Under this Act the Minister for
Agriculture has the power to make Orders
declaring plants as “noxious weeds”
(listed in Schedule 1 of the Act). Weeds
can be declared “noxious” if they pose a
threat to agriculture, the environment or
community health, and there is a public
benefit from such declaration. A number
of environmental weeds have now been
declared under this Act, for example, bitou
bush in all coastal councils and gorse in a
number of tablelands and coastal councils.
Noxious weeds are classified into four
categories
with
different
control
requirements.
1.3.5
Ø Wilderness Act 1987
Ø Native Vegetation Conservation Act
1997
1.3.7
Policy 1.9 Exotic Plant Species gives
priority for control programs to exotic
plants that are increasing in abundance
and distribution, or displacing native flora
and fauna, or where Service estate adjoins
uninfested or agricultural land. Programs
that are practical and involve techniques
with
little
harmful
or
residual
environmental impact have preference.
Wild Dog Destruction (WDD)
Act 1921
Policy 2.3 states that Introduced Animals
(with limited exceptions) shall not be
allowed to remain on Service estate as
they may prey on native fauna or have
other adverse impacts on vegetation, soils
and water quality.
Other Relevant Legislation
Ø Environment
Protection
and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Policy 2.6 Wild Dogs acknowledges the
complexities inherent in the need to
conserve dingoes together with the need to
control wild dogs. Baiting programs are
only undertaken on Service estate where
there is adequate evidence of wild dogs
coming from Service estate and killing or
Ø Biological Controls Act 1985
Ø Agricultural
and
Chemicals Code Act
NPWS Field Management
Policies
A number of Field Management Policies
are relevant to this strategy.
The WWD Act requires landholders and
occupiers in the Western Division to
destroy all wild dogs upon such land and
for the maintenance of the wild dog fence
along the north-western parts of the
NSW/Queensland
and
NSW/South
Australian borders. The WDD Act does
not bind the Crown.
1.3.6
and
Veterinary
4
references for weeds (see Further Reading
list).
maiming stock. Within Central West
Region there are no wild dog management
issues.
The Service employs a large number of
specialist staff to develop and implement
effective pest management programs. The
aim is to apply best practice, cost-effective
methods that will have minimal impacts
on the environment. In general, this
requires careful planning to ensure an
integrated approach is adopted using a
range of techniques at critical times of the
year, and often, the targeting of more than
one species (e.g. foxes and wild dogs).
The Firearms Policy sets out procedures
to ensure firearms are safely managed and
used by NPWS staff in accordance with
the relevant legislation.
2 Management
Strategy
The National Parks & Wildlife Service is
committed to a regional/catchment
approach to pest management where the
programs are developed and often
undertaken
in
collaboration
with
neighbours, other government agencies,
rural lands protection boards, local
government councils, regional pest
committees, CSIRO, universities and
community groups such as Landcare,
Bushcare and Green Corp volunteers, and
local Aboriginal Land Councils.
Integrated pest management is likely to
result in the most effective long-term
reduction in pest populations and avoid
selection for bait shy pest animals, or
herbicide resistant weeds.
Biological
control is incorporated into programs
where effective agents are available, but in
most
cases
biocontrol
must
be
supplemented with conventional control
techniques.
The pest management
approach adopted by the Service reflects a
balance between the desire to use the most
effective control technique (such as 1080
baiting for many animal pests) with a
requirement to minimise non-target
impacts and animal suffering.
The Service aims to manage populations
of pest animals and weeds to minimise
their adverse impacts.
Many of the
Service’s weed control programs focus on
environmental weeds because of the need
to reduce the adverse impacts of these
species on biodiversity conservation.
However, to protect neighbouring
properties, the NPWS also undertakes
numerous programs targeting noxious
agricultural weeds e.g. Serrated Tussock,
Bathurst Burr, Noogoora Burr, Johnson
Grass, Giant Parramatta Grass and Scotch
Thistle. There is a clear recognition that
the eradication of introduced pests over
large areas is rarely, if ever, possible and
resources must be directed to those
species/localities where the benefits of
control are likely to be greatest.
As the lead conservation agency in NSW
the Service has a duty to ensure its own
activities comply with the law and are
environmentally sound. All pest control
activities proposed on NPWS land require
an appropriate level of assessment of their
environmental impacts. The level of
assessment undertaken relates to the
probable degree of impact and can range
from an initial analysis, to a Review of
Environmental
Factors,
to
an
Environmental Impact Statement.
3 Objectives of Pest
Control Programs
Wherever possible a strategic approach to
pest management is adopted and the
reader is referred to the pest management
publications by the Bureau of Resource
Sciences for greater detail on pest animals
(see Further Reading list) or to various
The overriding objective of NPWS pest
control programs is to conserve
biodiversity and cultural heritage.
5
Ø Weed management in select high
conservation areas, principally
Blackberry infestations encroaching
on stakeholders’ boundaries;
Programs also have the following specific
goals:
•
Increase community understanding of
the adverse impacts of pests on
biodiversity and Aboriginal and
historic cultural heritage
•
Manage pest populations to minimise
their movement into NPWS estate, or
onto adjoining properties where they
impact on agricultural production
•
Satisfy legislative responsibilities e.g.
Rural Lands Protection Act 1998,
Noxious Weeds Act 1993 and
Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995
•
Support cooperative approaches to
pest management with other agencies
and the community
•
Ø Limited fox management.
With the initiation of a state-wide resource
package in 1994/1995 the Region was able
to develop strategic pest management
strategies based on justification criteria
and service an expanded spectrum of
stakeholders. The Region now has a large
number of strategically defined pest
management programs that incorporate
participation by multi-agency consultative
pest management committees and the
involvement of local RLPB staff in many
on-ground operations.
Since that time, Central West Region has
adopted a more strategic approach to pest
control
management
incorporating
programs that were identified as high
priorities in the 1995 Pest Strategy. This
includes weed mapping, integrated control
techniques, the development of short- and
long-term
coordinated
strategies,
environmental assessment, and monitoring
and evaluation. The Central West Region
has been able to implement noxious weed
and pest animal program within the
majority of reserves. It has also increased
the number of cooperative neighbour pest
programs, such as the successful
cooperative pest animal control programs
in and around Goobang National Park.
Foster community support.
4 Pest Programs and
Threatened Species
4.1 Past Pest
Management
Prior to 1995, pest programs in Central
West Region occurred with limited
coordination or other agency consultation.
Pest management was approached with a
less strategic emphasis and program
priority was determined primarily by
stakeholder concerns and allocation of an
extremely limited budget. The Region
was able to implement some programs
with stakeholders, such as the cooperative
baiting program with neighbours and other
agencies for feral dogs at Winburndale
Nature Reserve.
Pest management
programs undertaken prior to 1995
included:
Pest management priorities and programs
for recent additions to the NPWS estate
are still being finalised and will be
included in subsequent revisions of this
strategy.
4.1.1
Pest animals
As with many other agricultural
landscapes, the Central West Region has a
suite of pest species that threaten the
conservation integrity of the Region’s
protected area system and biodiversity.
Ø Annual aerial culling programs in a
limited number of reserves to
manage populations of feral goats
and occasionally feral pigs;
6
Many of the pest species identified for
control by NPWS in the Central West
Region are also regarded as pests by the
agricultural community in this region.
Such species compromise the core
business of both groups.
number of pest animals for control within
the protected area system (Table 1). Of
these identified pest animals foxes are one
of the higher priorities for management.
The Region considers the fox to be a
regional priority and has focused on
priority reserves where the highest
conservation outcomes can be achieved.
The Central West Region has identified a
Reserve Name
Area
(ha)
Pest Animal
Fox
Barton
Nature Reserve
Conimbla
National Park
Coolbaggie
Nature Reserve
Copperhannia
Nature Reserve
Dapper
Nature Reserve
Eugowra
Nature Reserve
Freemantle
Nature Reserve
Girralang
Nature Reserve
Goobang
National Park
Hill End
Historic Site
Mount Canobolas
SRA
Mullion Range
SRA
Nangar
National Park
Tollingo
Nature Reserve
Wambool
Nature Reserve
Weddin Mountains
National Park
Winburndale
Nature Reserve
Woggoon
Nature Reserve
Wongarbon Nature
Reserve
Yuranigh’s
Aboriginal Grave
HS
529
7 590
1 793
3 494
999
120
361
640
42 080
130
1 673
1 025
9 196
3 232
194
8 361
10 048
6 565
99
2
Feral
Pig
Feral
Goat
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Rabbit
Deer
Feral
Cat
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
*Wild
Dog
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Table 1: Distribution of pest animal species on NPWS estate in Central West Region.
*Wild Dog - in this circumstance the definition departs from the common working definition
the NPWS have adopted. In reference to the Central West Region the issue of “wild dog’
relates to the issue of illegal and deliberate hunting activities using dogs within identified
conservation reserves of the Region. This problem relates to the associated abandonment or
loss of dogs during the hunting process and the damage that results from these hunting
animals cause to the environment and agriculture.
7
Fire Ants
Other regional pest species include feral
goats and feral pigs, both of which cause
significant
environmental
damage.
Although management of these species is
currently of a lower priority than that of
foxes, the Region nevertheless commits to
the active management of these species
through ground based and aerial control
techniques. One issue that complicates
the management of feral pigs within the
protected area system of the Central West
Region is the illegal activities on park, of
hunting and live transportation of these
animals. To address this issue the Region
will continue liaison with NSW
Agriculture and local Rural Lands
Protection Boards.
Red Imported Fire Ants are not recorded
in NSW, however there are several areas
of concern in the state including urban
areas such as Sydney, the Central Coast
and the Lower Hunter. These are areas
where there is a large volume of goods
being imported from south-eastern
Queensland and also from countries where
the fire ant is established. Major transport
routes leading into NSW from southeastern Queensland, such as the Newell
Highway, are also of concern.
Fire ants pose a major threat to the
environment, as well as agriculture,
tourism and human health. The National
Consultative Committee for Exotic Pests
and Diseases is coordinating a national
response to the ants.
Rabbit management is confined to the
Lachlan Area of the Region with major
commitments at Goobang and Nangar
National Parks. Rabbit management is
increasing within the Region to
compliment the spread of Rabbit
Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) throughout
the Central West.
Fire ants have the potential to spread
throughout much of NSW and the NPWS
is working closely with NSW Agriculture
and the Queensland Department of
Primary Industries to identify and monitor
high risk areas where they could become
established and provide awareness training
as required.
Many of these pest animals have wide
distributions and fluctuating populations
within the Central West, which makes the
implementation of control challenging.
Through cooperative management with
key stakeholders the Region can
implement effective broad-based control
programs.
4.1.2
Weeds
There are over 2 800 introduced plant
species that are now naturalised in
Australia and it is estimated that
approximately 25% of these are
significant or potentially significant
weeds. It is impossible to undertake
control programs for all weeds that occur
in protected areas, hence priorities need to
be developed. The priority weed species
in NPWS Central West Region are St
John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum),
Blackberry (Rubus fruiticosus) and
Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma).
St John’s Wort is by far the most
widespread weed throughout the Region.
To an extent Blackberry and Serrated
Tussock are confined to the Macquarie
Area. However, significant infestations
occur within a number of reserves.
Coordinated
strategic
pest
animal
management is important in the Central
West Region given the number of external
land management issues, and the number
and diversity of adjoining land tenures.
Relevant issues include the control of
immigration, emigration and recruitment
between the surrounding agricultural
landscape and conservation reserves. The
Region will continue to endeavour to
facilitate community-orientated control
strategies for the control of pest animals in
conjunction with its stakeholders.
8
The Region has committed substantial
funds to establish zones of containment
within infested areas and has addressed
areas of heavy infestation in many areas.
Reserve Name
Barton
Nature Reserve
Conimbla
National Park
Coolbaggie
Nature Reserve
Copperhannia
Nature Reserve
Dapper
Nature Reserve
Eugowra
Nature Reserve
Freemantle
Nature Reserve
Girralang
Nature Reserve
Goobang
National Park
Hill End
Historic Site
Mount Canobolas
SRA
Mullion Range
SRA
Nangar
National Park
Tollingo
Nature Reserve
Wambool
Nature Reserve
Weddin
Mountains
National Park
Winburndale
Nature Reserve
Woggoon
Nature Reserve
Wongarbon
Nature Reserve
Yuranigh’s
Aboriginal Grave
Historic Site
Opportunistic control of other important
weed species is undertaken within the
Region whenever possible.
Area
(ha)
529
Weed Species
St John’s
Wort
Blackberry
Serrated
Tussock
✔
✔
✔
Willow
spp.
Other weeds
✔
7 590
✔
1 793
✔
3 494
✔
✔
✔
999
✔
120
361
640
42 080
130
1 673
1 025
9 196
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
8 361
10 048
✔
✔
3 232
194
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
6 565
✔
✔
✔
99
✔
2
✔
Table 2: Distribution of weed species in Central West Region.
management programs within the Central
West Region, on and off park.
4.2 Threatened Species
The conservation of threatened species is
of the upmost importance when
considering pest management programs.
Every effort is made to minimise any
disturbance to species, populations and
communities when planning pest
Pest control programs are undertaken in
the Central West Region by NPWS to
protect those threatened species listed in
Table 3.
9
In NSW, the threat abatement planning
process is an excellent mechanism for
delivering strategic statewide initiatives to
protect threatened species. To date, a
threat abatement plan has been finalised
for foxes, with others in preparation, e.g.
feral cats, bitou bush and plague minnow.
Threatened species
Pest/s
Program
Purple Copperwing Butterfly
Eucalyptus canobolensis
Malleefowl
Grassy White Box communities
Blackberry
Goat
Fox
Weed
invasion
Y
Y
Y
Y
Reserve
Winburndale NR
Mt Canobolas SRA
Coolbaggie NR
Central West Region
Table 3: Threatened species protection programs in Central West Region.
those pests for which state or regional
management
strategies
have
been
developed, or where there is support for a
collaborative program.
5 Regional Priorities
5.1 Criteria for
Prioritising Pest
Species Programs
E.
A pest which threatens
conservation,
cultural
heritage
recreational values of an area.
the
or
F.
A pest population of limited
distribution, but known to be an important
problem in other parks, or in other states
or overseas.
The following criteria reflect the key
responsibilities and impacts that are
considered by the NPWS when setting
regional priorities for pest management.
The availability of suitable technology and
resources (financial, human and physical)
also influences which programs are
implemented.
G.
A pest for which continued
management is necessary to maintain
benefits gained from previous control
programs.
A.
A pest for which a national or
state emergency control program has been
developed (e.g. feral animals implicated in
any exotic disease outbreak).
H.
A pest for which a window of
opportunity occurs to undertake control
activities (e.g. where an effective
biocontrol agent is available, or feral pig
control during floods or droughts).
B.
Any relevant action specified in a
threat abatement plan developed for a pest
species which has been listed as a key
threatening process under the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995.
I.
A
pest
which
must
be
controlled/contained to allow another high
priority management program to be
effective.
C.
Actions identified in recovery
plans for threatened species.
J.
D.
A pest that the community has
identified as a high priority for action (this
includes, but is not restricted to pests
declared under the Noxious Weeds Act
1993 or the Rural Lands Protection Act
1998). Priority will generally be given to
10
Other factors: For weeds, location
of the infestation (ie. within a
water catchment or ease of access)
and the potential of an area to
regenerate
naturally,
will
influence the priority given to a
program (natural regeneration is
more cost effective, reduces
maintenance and maintains the
genetic
integrity
of
plant
communities).
5.2 Regional Assessment
Table 4 illustrates how the criteria and
probability of success are cross-referenced
in order to group pest species into three
priority classes.
The pest species in Central West Region
are prioritised for control based on the
extent to which they satisfy the above
criteria, and on the probability of practical
success of a control operation. The latter
is determined by:
Probability
of success
Table 4: Priority classes for pest species.
Ø the existence of an effective means of
controlling the pest species;
Ø the availability of resources
undertake effective control;
Extent to which criteria satisfied
High
Med
Low
High
2
1
1
Med
2
3
1
Low
2
3
3
Tables 5 and 6 show the application of the
criteria to reserves and pest species in
Central West Region, and the resultant
priority classes.
to
Ø the likely availability of resources in
the medium to long-term to maintain
control efforts.
The appropriate timing for pest control
activities is given in Appendices 1 & 2.
Three of the above criteria tend to
dominate the process of prioritising pest
management programs:
Although the focus of NPWS pest
management is the priority pest species,
monitoring for emerging pest problems is
undertaken on an ongoing basis. NPWS
will continue to work with the Pest
Animal Council, NSW Agriculture,
RLPBs and local councils to address
problems as they arise (e.g. outbreaks of
Category W1 weeds). Appendix 4 lists
emerging pest species for the Central West
Region.
Ø where an endangered species is
threatened by the presence of a pest
species,
Ø where infestations (principally weeds)
are susceptible to an eradication
program,
Ø where
legislative
responsibility
requires a program to be implemented.
11
Table 5: Priority classification of pest animal control in Central West Region.
Reserve
Pest animal
Species
Criteria
A
Regional
management
issue
Winburndale NR
Mount Canobolas
SRA
Goobang NP
Regional
management
issue
Goobang NP
Mount Canobolas
SRA
Winburndale NR
Tollingo NR
Goobang NP
Nangar NP
Regional
management
Issue
Winburndale NR
Copperhannia NR
Weddin Mts NP
B
✔
C
✔
D
✔
E
✔
F
G
✔
H
I
✔
Probability of
success
Priority
High
1
Medium/Low
3
Medium/Low
3
Medium/Low
High/ Medium
3
1
High
Medium
1
2
Medium
Medium
High/Medium
Medium
Low
2
3
1
2
3
Low
Low
Low
3
3
3
J
Fox
Wild dog
(ie. domestic/
hunting context)
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Feral pig
✔
✔
Rabbit
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Feral cat
✔
✔
Feral deer
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Feral goat
✔
✔
✔
Table 6: Priority classification of major noxious weed control in Central West Region (see Appendix 3
for comprehensive list of noxious weeds in this Region).
Reserve
Weed Species
Criteria
A
✔
✔
✔
Medium/Low
2
Serrated
Tussock
Gorse
✔
✔
✔
Medium
2
✔
✔
Medium
2
Tree of Heaven
✔
✔
Medium/Low
2/3
Willow spp.
✔
✔
Low
3
Other weeds of
opportunity
✔
✔
Medium/Low
2
12
G
✔
H
I
2
St John’s Wort
Macquarie
Area
Regional
management
issue
F
Medium
E
✔
Blackberry
C
✔
Priority
D
✔
Regional
management
issue
Regional
management
issue
Macquarie
Area
Winburndale
NR
Lachlan Area
B
Probability of
success
J
Ø trapping; and
6 Programs
Ø opportunistic
shooting
endorsed shooting plans).
The following sections summarise the
control programs to be undertaken in
Central West Region, based on the
priorities established in Section 5.
Management Strategy
A Review of Environmental Factors has
been completed to facilitate the active and
strategic management of foxes within high
priority conservation reserves of the
Region. Fox management will occur in
accordance with management models
proposed within the Fox Threat
Abatement Plan (NSW NPWS 2001).
6.1 Pest Animal Species
HIGH PRIORITY
6.1.1
(under
European Red Fox - Vulpes
vulpes
1. Investigate
and
identify
populations Region-wide.
Distribution
Widespread throughout NPWS managed
lands in Central West Region.
fox
2. Undertake fox control in conjunction
with other pest control programs
within identified priority areas
(Coolbaggie NR, Weddin Mtns NP,
Goobang NP and Winburndale NR
and Goonoo SF).
Impacts
Fox predation is a major threat to native
animal populations, including threatened
species. They are a particular problem for
Malleefowl (Goonoo SF & Coolbaggie
NR), several possum species and grounddwelling native birds such as the Lyrebird
(e.g. Winburndale NR). Foxes are an
agent for the dispersal of noxious weeds
(notably Blackberry and St John’s Wort)
and are a potential carrier of disease.
3. Undertake coordinated programs in
cooperation with other agencies and
immediate neighbours/stakeholders to
protect threatened and other native
species (as per Threat Abatement
Plan, NSW NPWS 2001).
4. Undertake monitoring in areas where
foxes are likely to have a high impact
on threatened species such as
Coolbaggie Nature Reserve and
Goonoo State Forest.
Predation on farm livestock can be
serious.
Control Methods
Performance Measures
Fox control should be undertaken in the
peak dispersal period (Autumn) but more
frequently in relation to predation on
threatened species (NSW NPWS 2001).
Control within the Central West Region
should also compliment existing “Out Fox
the Fox” programs administered by NSW
Agriculture.
1. Increased recovery of threatened
species as identified in the monitoring
program in the Fox Threat Abatement
Plan.
2. Short term reduction in fox numbers
as measured by bait uptake.
Available methods include:
3. Comments from neighbours.
Ø ground baiting following best practice
guidelines;
Ø den fumigation;
13
6.1.2
damage cereal crops and introduced
pastures, and damage fences.
Feral Pig - Sus scrofa
Distribution
Pigs are a major potential host of a
number of exotic diseases such as Foot
and Mouth, African Swine Fever and
Rinderpest, as well as viruses to which
humans are susceptible, such as Murray
Valley Encephalitis and Ross River Fever.
Widespread throughout the Central West
in varying population sizes. A Regional
management issue with priority given to
Winburndale
Nature
Reserve,
Mt
Canobolas SRA and Goobang National
Park.
The deliberate release of piglets and
juveniles in rural areas and adjacent to
settled areas is common in some areas,
and is resulting in increased illegal access
on and damage to Service estate by
recreational hunters.
Illegal hunting and seeding of new areas
with young pigs (e.g. Weddin Mountains
NP and Nangar NP) remain difficult
problems to manage as this interference
considerably reduces the effectiveness of
coordinated control.
Control Methods
Pigs are also known to occur in small
populations in adjoining lands throughout
the Region’s protected area system.
Control methods include:
Ø strategic coordinated 1080 baiting;
Impacts
Ø strategic live panel trapping;
Feral pigs can cause severe environmental
degradation by:
Ø selective
feeding
communities;
on
Ø strategic aerial control programs.
Management Strategy
plant
A REF has been completed to allow
Regional staff to undertake active pig
management in identified
priority
reserves. Management activities include:
Ø creation of drainage channels in
swamps;
Ø soil erosion and fouling of watering
points by their habit of wallowing and
rooting;
1. Investigate pig distributions and
populations on NPWS managed lands,
using ground inspections.
Ø direct predation on frogs, reptiles,
ground-nesting birds and small
mammals;
2. Evaluate and review current control
techniques.
Ø aggressive competition for resources
with some species; and
3. Continue with and expand on existing
planned strategic trapping/poisoning/
aerial shooting programs.
Ø as an agent for the spread of weeds,
particularly Blackberry and St John’s
Wort.
4. Maintain and improve cooperation and
communication
with
adjoining
landholders undertaking feral pig
control.
Feral Pigs can kill and eat lambs under
two weeks of age and as such can have an
adverse impact on sheep breeding
enterprises.
They also compete with
domestic livestock for pasture forbs,
5. Establish a monitoring program that
evaluates the effectiveness and
migration rates post control in
identified priority reserves.
14
where control activities are being
undertaken.
6. Prepare a coordinated region-wide
management strategy for pigs.
Performance Measures
Performance Measures
Reductions in the evidence of feral pig
activity both on NPWS lands and
neighbouring lands.
Reduced goat populations, as indicated by
monitoring programs.
6.1.3
Visual vegetation assessments indicating
regeneration of native plant species
susceptible to grazing by feral goats.
Feral Goat – Capra hircus
Distribution
Comments from neighbours and visitors
regarding feral goat sightings.
1. Feral goats occur throughout the entire
Central West Region, particularly in
the Lachlan Area. High profile areas
for continued feral goat control
include Conimbla, Goobang, Nangar
and Weddin Mountains National
Parks. Priority areas also include
Winburndale NR and Mt Canobolas
SRA.
MEDIUM PRIORITY
6.1.4
European Wild Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
Distribution
Rabbits occur in scattered populations
throughout the Region.
Rabbit
populations vary throughout all NPWS
managed lands and are more common in
areas of disturbance or on areas adjacent
to agricultural lands (e.g Goobang and
Nangar National Parks).
Impacts
Impacts include overgrazing of native
vegetation, which can substantially impact
on vegetation structure, competition with
native species and livestock for water,
shelter and through grazing, soil
erosion/compaction, and the potential to
spread disease, especially Footrot and
Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD). They can
also cause considerable damage to
Aboriginal heritage sites and art work.
Impacts
Rabbits cause environmental damage in
the following ways:
Ø soil erosion (land degradation);
Control Methods
Ø grazing of native vegetation and
reducing regeneration;
Due to the complexity of topography and
land tenures, the only appropriate control
method in Central West Region is a
strategically planned aerial culling
program.
Ø competition with native animals for
suitable habitat; and
Ø impacts on historic sites through
foundation disturbance.
Management Strategy
Control Methods
1. Evaluate and review current control
techniques.
Rabbit control uses a combination of
control techniques, mainly warren
destruction and fumigation, but also
including baiting, fencing, trapping,
shooting and biological controls.
2. Undertake planned strategic aerial
control programs.
3. Monitor goat populations (visual
assessments of vegetation) in areas
15
Ø fencing.
Programs also make use of natural
outbreaks of myxomatosis and calicivirus
to further suppress populations.
Effective wild dog control requires timely
and targeted cooperative control with
neighbours. Prompt notification of the
local RLPBs of an issue can result in the
development of a coordinated program to
address particular concerns.
Management Strategy
1. Undertake ground inspections to
identify, map and monitor rabbit
activity (e.g. impact levels, warren
activity) in NPWS reserves.
Management Strategy
2. Continue to control rabbit populations
as part of coordinated programs with
neighbours in priority reserves such as
Goobang NP.
1. Increase community awareness of
responsible dog ownership in urban
areas in conjunction with local
government.
Performance Measures
2. Improve
communication
and
cooperation
with
adjoining
landholders.
A reduction in rabbit populations and the
visible damage they cause.
3. Promote
strategic
feral
pig
management techniques that avoid the
use of hunting dogs.
LOW PRIORITY
6.1.5
Wild Dogs – Canis familiaris
4. Undertake strategic responses (e.g.
1080 poisoning program) to mitigate
damage following reports of wild dog
attacks on livestock.
Distribution
The Central West is predominantly not a
wild dog area, despite its proximity to the
Dingo Conservation Areas of the Blue
Mountains region, and the prevalence of
hunting activities that utilise dogs.
Isolated and sporadic incursions occur
within Winburndale NR, Mt Canobolas
SRA and Goobang NP. The majority of
wild dog experiences in this region can be
attributed to hybridised domestic dogs that
have been lost or abandoned.
Performance Measures
Increased neighbour participation in
identifying where wild dogs are observed.
Increased neighbour participation in
strategic feral pig management and regular
involvement in fox/wild dog control
programs.
Reduced incidence of wild dog problems
in key regional areas (like Winburndale
NR), as indicated by a reduction in the
number of reports/complaints.
Impacts
Wild dogs prey on domestic stock and
native fauna. They can act as a vector of
diseases to native fauna.
(LOW PRIORITY, NOT EFFECTIVE)
Control Methods
6.1.6
Feral Cat - Felis catus
Wild dog control methods include:
Distribution
Ø 1080 baiting;
Known to occur throughout the Region
but abundance unknown.
Ø trapping;
Ø shooting; and
16
Weddin Mountains NP. It is possible that
these animals escaped or were released
from farming enterprises close to
conservation and remnant vegetation
areas, particularly during the 1990s crash
of the deer farming industry.
Impacts
Feral cats predate on native reptiles, frogs,
small mammals and bird species, compete
for food and act as a reservoir for diseases
and parasites which can be transferred to
native fauna, domestic stock and humans.
Ecological significance of these impacts is
not quantified (however, see Dickman
1996).
Impacts
Impacts include competition through
grazing, overgrazing and trampling of
native vegetation, ringbarking, soil
erosion/compaction, fouling of water
holes, and as a potential vector in the
spread of livestock disease.
Control Methods
There are currently no pesticides
registered for use on feral cats. The only
control methods available are trapping and
opportunistic shooting, but these are
largely ineffective.
Feral cats are a
difficult pest to control and major
advances in their control will depend on
further progress with the cat-specific toxin
and baiting system currently being
developed.
Control Methods
Opportunistic aerial culling as individual
animals are observed within the remote
areas of these nominated reserves.
Animals are rarely observed in this way.
Management Strategy
Management Strategy
1. Develop a database of deer sightings.
1. Record the distribution/abundance of
feral cats on NPWS reserves.
2. Liaise with neighbours to identify land
degradation issues so that control
efforts can be focused where
necessary.
2. Increase community awareness of
responsible
cat
ownership
in
conjunction with local government,
NPWS newsletters etc.
3. Undertake
collaborative
control
efforts with relevant neighbours and
RLPBs.
3. Undertake opportunistic cat trapping
and strategic shooting when required
for emergent problem cats.
4. Opportunistic control of individual
animals during scheduled aerial
management programs for feral goats
and pigs.
Performance Measures
Increased community awareness as
indicated by community contribution to
the cat sightings database.
Performance Measures
Better understanding of abundance and
distribution of deer and their impacts on
reserves.
Better understanding of abundance and
distribution of cats.
6.1.7
Reduced deer populations, as indicated by
frequency of sightings and comments from
neighbours.
Feral Deer species
Distribution
Isolated
sporadic
sightings
(by
neighbours), of individual animals near
Copperhannia and Winburndale NRs and
17
approaching the pre-budding stage and
are actively growing.
6.2 Weed Species
HIGH
6.2.1
Ø Physical removal of isolated plants
can also be employed.
St John’s Wort – Hypercium
perforatum
Management Strategy
Distribution
1. Treat St John’s Wort in highly
accessible and/or recreational areas in
all identified reserves.
This weed is widespread and common.
All Local Government Areas of the
Central West have identified it to be of
high priority for treatment.
2. Implement control and strategic
herbicide application to isolated
infestations in coordination with other
weed management control projects as
they are identified.
The majority of reserves within the
Region have infestations of this weed, as
do the adjoining agricultural lands and
lands managed by other agencies.
3. Continue existing programs for all
infestation areas within the Region’s
protected area system and liaise with
Local Control Authorities and NSW
Agriculture.
Active control programs for the
management of St John’s Wort occur
within 13 of the Region’s 21 reserves.
Impacts
4. Investigate the potential effectiveness
and the practicality for strategic
release of biological control agents
throughout the Region subject to
appropriate
approval
and
environmental impact determination
process.
Invades disturbed areas with the capacity
to move into open forest and along
creeklines. It is considered to be a serious
agricultural and environmental weed.
This noxious weed is poisonous to stock
and native fauna, and can cause exposed
skin to become photosensitive in many
species. It also has the potential to cause
irritation to humans.
Performance Measures
Ground inspections indicating a reduction
in the degree of infestation, both in area
and plant density, within identified
reserves. Containment of the present
infestations is the minimum acceptable
performance level.
St John’s Wort competes with other plant
species for light and nutrients throughout
the year, and can outcompete almost all
other understorey plant species. It spreads
by seeds and lateral roots, and can form
dense infestations of up to 250 stems per
square metre.
6.2.2
Blackberry – Rubus
fruiticosus
Control Methods
Distribution
Ø Effective biological control agents
(e.g. Chrysolina insect) are available
subject to approval.
Extensive infestations occur in the
Macquarie Area of the Region, principally
within Winburndale NR and Mt
Canobolas SRA where the infestations are
well-established and more complex. At
most other sites this weed tends to occur
in watercourses and throughout the
adjoining catchment areas.
Ø Strategic use of herbicides.
The
optimum stage of growth for spraying
occurs in early spring when plants are
18
Primary treatment began on infestations in
1994 across the Region.
Performance Measures
Treatment is aimed at containment of the
present infestations in all areas.
Reduction in the degree of infestation,
both in area and plant density will be a
slow, incremental process.
Impacts
A highly visible and invasive species
which rapidly invades disturbed land by
forming dense thickets from underground
suckers. It has the capacity to move into
open forest and along creeklines.
6.2.3
It covers large areas with a dense canopy
that excludes light from the soil surface.
It is therefore able to outcompete most
native plant species, and can seriously
impede the regeneration of native plants.
At one site Blackberry thickets impinge
upon and threaten the habitat of the
endangered Purple Copper Butterfly.
Serrated Tussock – Nassella
trichotoma
Distribution
Occurs
predominantly
within
the
Macquarie Area, within which it is widely
distributed.
This species does not grow well in shaded
sites. Infestations within reserves are of
light to medium densities, scattered over
cleared (non-canopy cover) areas.
This plant can also provide shelter and
foraging habitats for feral animals.
Impacts
Control Methods
Serrated Tussock forms thick mats,
thereby providing little opportunity for
other plants to establish underneath. In
this way it greatly decreases plant
diversity once established. This grass has
little nutritional value and is of little
pastoral value to stock or native grazing
species.
Ø Strategic herbicide application is the
most effective, efficient and costeffective
method
to
control
infestations of Blackberry.
Ø A biological control agent, Rust
Fungus, exists. Cold temperatures
limit effectiveness of this fungus, thus
its success has been variable within
the Macquarie Area.
Control Methods
Ø Strategic ground-applied herbicide
techniques are the most effective,
efficient and cost-effective method to
control infestations.
Management Strategy
Identify and map Blackberry infestation
on NPWS managed lands.
Management Strategy
Treat and follow up previously untreated
infestations annually. Priority reserves are
those with high visitation levels, such as
Mt Canobolas SRA and Hill End Historic
Site.
Isolated infestations are of
particularly high priority.
1. Identify and map Serrated Tussock
infestation on NPWS managed lands.
2. Treat in highly accessible and/or
recreational areas. Other priority sites
include
exposed
seed
sources
(although treatment is limited to more
accessible locations).
Annual monitoring of treatment sites for
regeneration.
3. Implement control and strategic
herbicide application to isolated
infestations in coordination with other
19
weed management control projects as
they are identified.
reserves have been prepared or require
preparation as companions to this strategy.
4. Continue existing programs for all
infestation areas, and liaise with Local
Control Authorities and NSW
Agriculture
for
the
continued
management of Serrated Tussock in
accordance with the national strategy.
The Central West Region Pest Species
Management Plan will be reviewed
annually.
5. Annual monitoring of treatment sites,
and follow-up treatment where
necessary.
The following National Parks and Wildlife
Service staff provided assistance in the
preparation of this plan: Peter Myler (Area
Manager Macquarie) and Gavin Newton
(Ranger). Additional information was
prepared by Andrew Leys (Pest
Management Coordinator) and Dani Ayers
(Western Directorate OSCU support
Officer).
8 Acknowledgements
Performance Measures
Reduction in the degree of infestation,
both in area and plant density, within
identified reserves, as indicated by annual
monitoring.
Report Prepared by:
7 Conclusion
Jason W. Neville
Pest management programs have been
undertaken throughout Central West
Region based on priorities and
recommendations in the previous regional
plan. This review of the 1998 Pest
Management Strategy will assist in the
continuation of works programs for 20032006 and highlight planning needs.
Pest Management Officer
Central West Region.
Setting priorities is only the beginning of
pest management.
Once regional
priorities are established, the planning,
implementation of programs, monitoring
and evaluation begins.
Successful pest management takes time.
Programs are successful if they are well
planned ensuring the appropriate control
techniques are used and follow-up is
undertaken.
Programs are also more
effective if neighbours are encouraged to
become actively involved in the overall
implementation of the programs across the
landscape.
This management strategy is only a tool to
establish pest priorities and establish
broad management guidelines.
More
detailed plans for individual pests or
20
Bureau of Rural Sciences, Australian
Government
Publishing
Service:
Canberra.
9 Further Reading and
References
Goldney, D. C. (1987). History of the
central west region. pp. 31-57 in Goldney,
D. C. and Bowie, I. J. S. (eds). National
Trust of Australia, NSW Scenic and
scientific survey of the central west
region. A report to the Australian heritage
commission. Vol 1. Mitchell College of
Advanced Educaation, Bathurst.
Beukers, P. (1995). DRAFT: Options for
Conserving Biodiversity in Bathurst
District. NSW National Parks and
Wildlife Service.
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental weeds:
a field guide for SE Australia. CRC Weed
Management Systems. CH Jerram &
Associates – Science Publishers, Mt
Waverley.
Harden, B. (1997). A Survey of Vertebrate
Pests in the Service Estate. Biodiversity.
Survey and Research Division, National
Parks and Wildlife Service.
Braysher, M. (1993).
Managing
Vertebrate
Pests:
Principles
and
Strategies. Bureau of Resource Sciences,
Australian
Government
Publishing
Service: Canberra.
Hone, J., O’Grady, J. and Pedersen, H.
(1980). Decisions in the Control of Feral
Pig Damage. NSW Department of
Agriculture. AG Bulletin.
Breckwoldt, R. (1983). Wildlife in the
Home Paddock, Nature conservation for
Australian farmers. Angus & Robertson
Publishers.
Howling, G. M. (1997).
Remnant
Vegetation in the Central West Catchment
- Issues and Options for the Future.
Central West Catchment Committee.
Cardale, S. 1987.
The natural
environment: vegetation. pp. 111-136 in
Goldney, D. C. and Bowie, I. J. S. (eds).
National Trust of Australia, NSW Scenic
and scientific survey of the central west
region. A report to the Australian heritage
commission. Vol 1. Mitchell College of
Advanced Educaation, Bathurst.
Kirkpatrick, J. (1994).
A Continent
Transformed - Human Impact on the
Natural Vegetation of Australia. Oxford
University Press.
Low, T. (2000). Feral Future – the untold
story of Australia’s Exotic Invaders.
Viking.
Choquenot, D., McIlroy, J. and Korn, T.
(1996).
Managing Vertebrate Pests:
Feral Pigs. Bureau of Resource Sciences,
Australian
Government
Publishing
Service: Canberra.
Norton, G. A. and Pech, R. P. (1988).
Vertebrate Pest Management in Australia.
CSIRO Division of Wildlife & Ecology.
NSW Agriculture. (1993). NSW Noxious
Weed Legislation. Agnote.
Dickman, C. R. 1996. Overview of the
impacts of feral cats on Australian native
fauna. Prepared for the Australian Nature
Conservation Agency.
NSW Agriculture. (1996). Vertebrate
Pest Control Manual. NSW Agriculture,
Orange.
Ensbey, R. (ed). (2001). Noxious and
environmental weed control handbook –
2001/2002. NSW Agriculture: Orange.
NSW Agriculture. (Sept 1999). NSW
Noxious weeds List. Agnote.
Fleming, P., Corbett, L., Harden, R. and
Thomson, P. (2001).
Managing the
Impacts of Dingoes and Other Wild Dogs.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
(2001).
Threat Abatement Plan for
Predation by the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes).
21
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Hurstville.
Rigby, N. (2000). Central West Region
Operation Plan 2000/2004. NSW
National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Olsen, P. (1998).
Australia's Pest
Animals: New Solutions to Old Problems.
Bureau of Resource Sciences and
Kangaroo Press: East Roseville.
Saunders, G., Coman, B., Kinnear, J. and
Braysher, M. (1995).
Managing
vertebrate Pests: Foxes. Bureau of
Resource
Sciences.
Australian
Government
Publishing
Service:
Canberra.
Pandit, R. (1995). Impacts of Major
Vertebrate Pests on Conservation
Reserves in NPWS Central and
Metropolitan Regions. NSW National
Parks and Wildlife Service.
Sindel, B. M. (ed). (2000) Australian
Weed Management Systems. (R. G. and F.
J. Richardson, Melbourne). 506pp.
Parkes, J., Henzell, R. and Pickles, G.
(1996).
Managing Vertebrate Pests:
Feral Goats. Bureau of Resource Science.
Australian
Government
Publishing
Service: Canberra.
Williams, K., Parer, I., Coman, J.B.,
Burley, J. and Braysher, M. (1995).
Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits.
Bureau of Resource Science. Australian
Government
Publishing
Service:
Canberra.
Parsons, W. T. and Cuthbertson, E. G.
(1992). Noxious Weeds of Australia.
Inkata Press: Melbourne.
Recher, H. F. Lunney, D. and Dunn, I.
(1995). A Natural Legacy - Ecology in
Australia. 2nd edition. SNP Printing.
22
Appendix 1: Timing of Weed Control Programs
The NPWS tries to adopt a strategic approach to weed control, whilst also allowing sufficient
flexibility to capitalise on windows of opportunity which arise, (e.g. control of mass
germinations following flooding or local rainfall events). Timing of control activities varies with
the method used. Factors that determine timing of herbicide application include growth stage of
the plant, time of year, herbicide used, mode of application and weather conditions. The
following table outlines the best time for control of key weeds using herbicide treatment only,
within each Area of the Central West Region.
Species
Blackberry
Macquarie
Lachlan
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
St John’s Wort
Macquarie
Lachlan
Serrated
Tussock
Macquarie
Weeds of
opportunity
Macquarie
Lachlan
Appendix 2: Timing of Pest Animal Control Programs
The NPWS undertakes pest animal control with a similar approach to that taken for weed control
(see Appendix 1). Many programs are developed strategically well in advance of the on-ground
program control activities. Others are organised at short notice to capitalise on windows of
opportunity, (such as floods, droughts or fire). Timing of control activities also varies with the
method used. The following table outlines the best time for control of key pest species in the
Central West Region. The timings are approximate and are influenced by factors such as varying
seasonal conditions.
Species
Fox
Goat
Pig
Rabbit
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
23
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Appendix 3: Noxious Weeds of the Central West Region
Within the Central West Region, the Upper Macquarie County Council has the most
comprehensive register of noxious weeds. This list also incorporates those noxious weeds
present in all Local Government Areas and Local Control Authorities within Central West
Region, and the majority of weeds occurring with the larger Central West and Mid Lachlan
Catchment Planning areas.
Common name
Scientific name
Upper Macquarie
County Council
W2
W3
W1
W2
W2
W2
W2
W1
W3
W1
W4
W2
African Boxthorn
African Lovegrass
Alligator Weed
Bathurst Burr
Noogoora Burr
Californian Burrs
Cockle Burr
Black Knapweed
Blackberry
Broomrape
Cabomba
Columbus Grass
Dodder Cuscuta
Lycium ferocissimum
Eragrostis curvula
Alternanthera philoxeroides
Xanthium spinosum
Xanthium occidentale
Xanthium spp.
Xanthium spp.
Centaurea nigra
Rubus fruticosus (agg. spp.)
Orobanche spp.
Cabomba spp.
Sorghum x almum
Cuscuta campestris
Gorse
Green Cestrum
Harrisia Cactus
Hawkweed
Hemlock
Horsetail
Johnson Grass
Karroo Thorn
Kochia
Lagarosiphon
Longstyle Feather Grass
Mexican Feather Grass
Miconia
Nodding Thistle
Pampas Grass
Parthenium Weed
Prickly Pears
Ulex europaeus
Cestrum parqui
Harrisia spp.
Hieracium spp.
Conium maculatum
Equisetum spp.
Sorghum halepense
Acacia karroo
Kochia scoparia
Lagarosiphon major
Pennisetum villosum
Nassella tenuissima syn Stipa tenuissima
Miconia spp.
Carduus nutans
Cortaderia spp.
Parthenium hysterophorus
Opuntia spp.
W2
W2
W2
W4f
W1
W2
W1
W2
W1
W1
W1
W2
W1
W1
W3
W2
W1
W4f
Privet - broadleaf
Privet - narrowleaf
Rhus Tree
Salvinia
Scotch Broom
English Broom
Scotch Thistle
Illyrian Thistle
Stemless Thistles
Senegal Tea Plant
Serrated Tussock
Siam Weed
Silverleaf Nightshade
Ligustrum lucidum
Ligustrum sinense
Toxicodendron succedaneum
Salvinia molesta
Cytisus scoparius
Cytisus scoparius
Onopordum spp.
Onopordum spp.
Onopordum spp.
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
Nassella trichotoma
Chromolaena odorata
Solanum elaeagnifolium
W4b
W4b
W2
W1
W2
W2
W3
W3
W3
W1
W3
W1
W2
24
Common name
Spiny Burrgrass
Spiny Burrgrass
Spotted Knapweed
St John's Wort
Star Thistle
Sweet Briar
Tree of Heaven
Water Hyacinth
Water Lettuce
Wild Radish
Willows
Scientific name
Cenchrus incertus
Cenchrus longispinus
Centaurea maculosa
Hypericum perforatum
Centaurea calcitrapa
Rosa rubiginosa
Ailanthus altissima
Eichhornia crassipes
Pistia stratiotes
Raphanus raphanistrum
Salix spp.
Upper Macquarie
County Council
W2
W2
W1
W3
W2
W3
W2
W1
W1
W2
W4g
Table of Explanation:
W1
The presence of the weed on land must be notified to the local control authority, and the weed must be fully
and continually suppressed and destroyed.
W2
The weed must be fully & continually suppressed and destroyed.
W3
The weed must be prevented from spreading & its numbers and distribution reduced.
W4
Various actions according to the following categories:
(f) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed. Any biological control or other control program
directed by a local control authority must be implemented.
(g) The weed must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed.
Appendix 4: Emerging Pest Issues
Weed or pest animals which currently either do not occur or are suspected to occur on NPWS
managed lands in Central West Region and are a known problem in other natural areas. These
species will be monitored and removed from NPWS lands where possible.
Pest
Locations
Feral Deer species
Isolated sporadic sightings of individual animals near Copperhannia
and Winburndale NRs and Weddin Mountains NP.
Fire Ants
Not known from Central West Region. Current NPWS management
is focused on preventing the spread and establishment of this
species, such as through the participation in community awareness
programs. Vigilance is maintained within conservation areas, with
regular observations undertaken for this species.
Parthenium Weed
All estate. Localised infestations have been found on major roads
in NSW. Continual vigilance is required by all land managers to
prevent spread of new outbreaks.
25
NSW
NATIONAL
PARKS AND
WILDLIFE
SERVICE
43 Bridge Street
Hurstville 2220
(02) 9585 6444