Protecting Victoria from Invasive Plants and Animals
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The Government works in partnership with industry and the community to protect agriculture, the environment, the economy, health and the lifestyle of the community by stopping pests and diseases from entering, establishing and spreading within the State.
There are tens of thousands of invasive plants and animals that have the potential to threaten the State. The Victorian Government manages the threat of invasive plants and animals by assessing the risk of each species entering and becoming established, then acting appropriately to manage those risks (those presenting the highest risk become the highest priority for management). There are four key types of action in managing invasive plants and animals; prevention and preparedness, eradication, containment and asset-based protection.
Focus on prevention
The best investment of the Victorian public’s money is in preventing new species from entering the State. It costs far less to stop invasive plants and animals from arriving than it does to remove them once they have established. Invasive species that have long existed in Victoria are managed by deterring further spread and infestation and reducing their impacts on important assets.
Working together
Effective management of invasive species relies on the combined effort of Government, the community, industry and other land managers. The Victorian Government is committed to supporting land managers who are active in managing their invasive plant and animal issues in cooperation with their neighbours and the wider community.
Our approach
The Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework presents the overarching approach by the Victorian Government to managing existing and potential invasive species. This framework sits within the context of the whole-of-government Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria. The Framework’s accompanying Weeds and Vertebrate Pests module sets out specific actions being undertaken in this area. Module 2 Marine Pests and Module 3 Freshwater Pests are being finalised following public consultation. Module 4 – Invasive Terrestrial Invertebrates is under development.
