- Crisafulli Government commits additional $4.5 million for locust control in parts of Queensland left exposed by the former Labor Government during their decade of decline.
- Funding will help combat locusts impacting new cropping regions and established grazing land.
- Crisafulli Government is committed to supporting primary producers and strong biosecurity across the State.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering more support for western Queensland primary producers at risk of further destruction by swarms of locusts.
An additional $4.5 million has been allocated for locust control across the State, including areas not covered by the Plague Pest Contingency Fund.
This funding compliments $1 million jointly announced last month under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) through the Primary Industry Support Package, to deal with locusts in disaster activated local government areas including Barcaldine and Longreach.
The Department of Primary Industries will use this additional State Government investment to undertake large-scale aerial and ground control.
Control efforts will be focussed on targeted surveillance and aerial treatment of locust nymphs to drastically reduce numbers before they can fly and migrate to other key agricultural regions.
This year's widespread flooding and humid winter in western Queensland has created ideal conditions for locusts to increase to plague-like numbers which has caused significant stress for producers.
The locusts swarms are widely dispersed across approximately 5.357 million hectares of land with official reports stemming from the Richmond, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and Flinders Regional Council areas.
Cropping activity in the North West Queensland Minerals Province has increased by 329 per cent in the last six years but this region is not covered by the Plague Pest Contingency Fund.
Labor's decade of decline was characterised by their mismanagement of the primary industries sector and their failure to keep pace with gains made by industry.
As a result of Labor's failure, shires like Hughenden, Richmond, and Flinders weren't included in the State fund set up to manage locusts in cropping areas.
The Government will also undertake a policy review into existing locust controls.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said farmers and graziers need to be supported when the challenges they face become too large to manage on their own or when a collective solution is the best course of action.
"Further investment now to prevent this pest from multiplying and causing more destruction will pay off in the seasons ahead," Minister Perrett said.
"There is a short period of time in the locust's lifecycle to get in and deal with the next generation before they can fly. That window could start this month so we must move with urgency.
"A fledgling cropping region, like in the north west, will need our support if we are to reach our ambitious target of growing the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030.
"Biosecurity is a responsibility this government takes seriously, and while everyone has a general biosecurity obligation, the State and Federal Government must keep pace with needs of industry and support, when necessary.
"Some graziers have described the swarms as apocalyptic and footage of bands in flight are confronting any viewer but especially those who know the value of grass and crops.
Assistant Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said this announcement recognises the critical importance of western Queensland and will address the problem to ensure local grazing and cropping properties can be supported.
"Central Queensland, currently the hardest-hit area, contributes almost 25 per cent of Queensland's Gross Value of Production (GVP), so it's important we get on top of this pest before the situation worsens," Mr Dillon said.
"During Labor's decade of decline support available in the biosecurity space in western Queensland was reduced and I commend the government for delivering this funding.
"This support is game changing for grazing land, and it acknowledges the valuable contribution from beef and sheep to the state's economy."
