Joint Key message to Local Government (MAV & DPI)
Since 2005 the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) have been working through the issues associated with responsibility for invasive plant and animal (IPA) management on roadsides. The issue of managing IPA on roadsides is principally regulated by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. It is however, affected by other legislation including the Road Management Act 2004 and the Local Government Act 1989.
An independently chaired working party comprising of officers from MAV, DPI and other key stakeholders has been set up to examine the fundamental questions of:
- what is the objective of roadside IPA management?,
- who is best placed to efficiently and effectively deliver it? and
- what are the potential legislative options that provide the best outcomes?
A starting point for this approach is recognition by all parties that it is time to take a fresh look at this issue in the context of wider biosecurity and land management policy developments. Relevant to this is the biosecurity approach which seeks to protect Victoria from the impacts of IPA by improving decision making and investment for prevention and early intervention, eradication, containment and asset-based protection (see Figure 1). Progress towards determining the future direction on the management of roadside IPA has been slowed by the complexity related to:
- fifteen years of incremental statutory amendments combined with a diversity of both road ownership and management, and
- varying levels of information about thousands of kilometres of roadsides.
The current situation is that the Victorian Government, municipal council or the adjoining landowner may all be responsible (or not) for managing declared IPA depending upon the categorisation of the pest and status of the road. These current administrative complexities together with an increasing awareness of the biosecurity approach provide an opportune time to re-examine the current roadside IPA regime with a view to improving its efficiency and effectiveness.
To ensure IPA management on roadsides takes place in the interim and in the most practical and effective way possible, DPI will continue to work in partnership with MAV and municipal councils by offering grants through the ‘Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests’ Project over the next year. This project will operate on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and therefore ongoing responsibility will not be assumed to reside with councils.
Grant details and guidelines are provided under the ‘Guidelines’ section below.
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| Figure 1: Generalised invasion curve showing action appropriate at each stage. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the ‘Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests’ Project?
The ‘Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests’ (BCLG) project is aimed at building a partnership with municipal councils to manage regionally prohibited weeds, regionally controlled weeds and established pest animals on roadsides in Victoria.
2. Who is responsible for managing invasive plants and animals on roadsides?
The current situation is that the Victorian Government, municipal council or the adjoining landowner may all be responsible (or not) for managing declared IPA depending upon the categorisation of the pest and status of the road. The State Government has been working with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to develop effective future arrangements. While this is happening, a grants program has been made available to municipal councils to manage pests on roadsides to meet immediate needs.
3. What assistance will DPI be providing?
- The BCLG project provides funding for local government without prejudice, to work in partnership with the Victorian Government to manage regionally prohibited weeds, regionally controlled weeds and established pest animals on roadsides in Victoria.
- The BCLG project supports local government in the management of roadside IPA. The program is designed to assist councils perform on-ground IPA management, strategic planning and capacity building activities in regional and interface councils across Victoria.
4. Which roads are we talking about?
All municipal roads as defined by the Road Management Act 2004. Some exceptions are freeways, arterial roads and other roads managed by VicRoads.
5. Which categories of invasive plants and animals will be funded?
- Weeds that are declared in the categories regionally prohibited or regionally controlled in the region and also established pest animals, especially rabbits. A species list of these categories of pests is attached.
- Regionally prohibited weeds are weeds that aren’t yet widely distributed in a particular region of Victoria, but have the potential to spread further. Landholders must take all reasonable steps to eradicate them on their land. Serrated tussock, for example, is regionally prohibited in most regions of Victoria, except where it is a regionally controlled weed.
- Regionally controlled weeds are weeds such as blackberry or gorse that are widespread and established in a region. Landholders must take all reasonable steps prevent the growth and spread of these weeds.
6. What about State prohibited weeds?
This category of weeds is not affected and they remain the responsibility of the Victorian Government
7. How much funding is available for each council?
Costs will vary from council to council according to the size of current infestations on their roadsides and the way they choose to manage these infestations. Funding will be allocated on an as needs basis for councils to deal with IPA in their municipalities.
8. Will councils be required to match funding?
It will be up to councils whether they contribute their own resources. Funding is not contingent on councils contributing to the cost of projects.
9. How will the grants program be administered?
DPI has worked with the MAV to develop guidelines for the grants program. (See ‘Guidelines’ section below.)
10. What type of activities will be included in the BCLG grants program?
- On-ground work such as spraying of weeds on roadsides (or the most appropriate control method for particular pest species based on best practice)
- Removal of rabbit warrens
- Mulching of woody weeds such as gorse
- Follow-up works on previously treated infestations funded through the BCLG project
11. What other activities will be funded?
The Guidelines provide information on the types of capacity building activities that will be funded. It includes activities that improve the knowledge of weed infestation locations and extent, training and the development of procedures that prevent the spread of invasive species.
12. What type of activities will not be included in the BCLG grants program?
- Capital purchases of equipment such as spray equipment
- Long distance travel (i.e. interstate or overseas)
13. How do councils access BCLG funding?
Councils are required to submit an application in accordance with the guidelines. The guidelines are available on this page. (See ‘Guidelines’ section below.) DPI Biosecurity Officers are available to provide support and advice to municipal councils to develop project proposals.
14. What are the timeframes for applying for funding?
Project timeframes and application forms are available on this page. (See ‘Forms’ section below). The closing date for round four applications is 29 April 2011.
15. How long will the program run?
Programs funded will run until 1 June 2012.
16. What are the next steps?
The Minister’s Working Party on Roadside Weeds and Pests will provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security in mid-2011, the Minster will then consider the options for the future management of IPA on roadsides.
18. Will councils be prosecuted if they don’t control weeds properly?
Whilst the issue of responsibility for the management of IPA on roadsides is being resolved compliance activities will not be undertaken with respect to IPA on municipal roads.
