New noxious weed and pest animal declarations
On 1 October 2010, new Governor in Council (GiC) Orders declaring noxious weeds and pest animals under the CaLP Act were published in a special issue of the Victorian Government Gazette.
Special Gazette Number S399 Dated 1 October 2010
The new Orders include all previously declared plant species and all previously declared animal species, except the Dingo.
Noxious Weed Order
The previous list of declared noxious weeds (as at March 2008) has been re-declared to create a single consolidated list for streamlining future declarations, with no changes except for a small number of updated plant names. This process also makes it easier to access the most current declaration for any particular noxious weed species.
The new noxious weed Order differs from the previous order in two ways, namely:
- changes to bring nomenclature up to date for a small number of noxious weeds; and
- correction of the names of three catchment and land protection regions.
Victoria’s Noxious Weeds Review is in its final stages and a number of new declarations will be made in the near future.
Pest Animal Order
A number of changes to the current pest animals Order have occurred, namely:
- changes to bring nomenclature and common names up to date for pest animals;
- the feral or wild populations of Goat, Pig, Dog, Dingo-Dog hybrid, and Rabbit have been re-declared as Established pest animals;
- Dingoes have not been re-declared as Established pest animals; and
- new pest animal species that threaten, or potentially threaten, Victoria and that have become apparent since 1997 have been identified and declared.
Foxes and hares have been re-declared as established pest animals. The Dingo cannot been re-declared as an established pest animal as it is now listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. For more information on the Dingo contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
A comprehensive review of animals was undertaken to identify the new invasive animal species that threaten, or potentially threaten Victoria. When determining which pest animal category is appropriate for each species of animal, the Victorian government used the following principles:
- if the species is an extreme or serious threat and not known to be in Australia, then it is declared as a Prohibited pest animal;
- if the species is an extreme threat and is not known to be in Victoria (but is in Australia), then the species is individually categorised to be either a Prohibited or Controlled pest animal; and
- if the species is an extreme or serious threat and is known to be in Victoria (but is not established in the wild in Victoria), then the species is individually categorised to be either a Controlled or Regulated pest animal.
