The newly established Rapid Response Biosecurity Team is targeting new incursions of invasive species in the ACT and combatting the impacts of climate change.
"Our precious environment is important to all Canberrans, but it is under threat by climate change and invasive species," Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said.
"A detailed assessment of the reported economic costs of invasive species in Australia highlights that in the last 60 years, invasive species have cost the Australian economy $389.59 billion. These costs are expected to increase under the impacts of climate change unless we take action.
"That is why we have established the new Rapid Response Biosecurity Team, operating across all land tenure, to protect and enhance our local environment. The team will respond to a range of biosecurity threats, working closely with land managers, building on current invasive species programs and improving invasive species management.
"Integrated weeds management will be a key focus, which takes an ecological approach and uses a coordinated variety of control methods, reducing reliance on herbicides alone.
"The changing climate gives invasive species, like the yellow flag iris, a competitive advantage to outcompete native species. Lack of specific natural diseases and pests in Australia mean that the yellow flag iris has extra resources for growth, seeding and spread, therefore, it has become invasive.
"It has been assessed as a high risk to the ACT environment, with a major impact on riparian native plants, spreading from urban ponds into creeks and Lake Burley Griffin. A containment project is underway by our Rapid Response Biosecurity Team to stop it spreading downstream of Scrivener Dam and Googong Dam.
"We know that there will continue to be a considerably greater occurrence of invasive species and that they will have a detrimental impact on our native plants, animals, food and fibre production, and economy. Acting quickly is paramount in preventing invasive species establishing within the natural landscape.
"The Rapid Response Biosecurity Team will enhance partnerships between government, community and volunteer groups in the protection of our local environment and provide greater opportunity for citizen science in tackling biosecurity issues as they arise.
"Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. We all have a role to play."
The Rapid Response Biosecurity Team was established after the 2021-22 ACT Budget provided $3 million over four years to rapidly respond to biosecurity threats accelerated by recent bushfires, extended dry periods, and current La Nina conditions.
As stated by Kirsten Tasker, Program Manager of the Biosecurity Rapid Response Team:
"Our team have been hard at work preventing and responding to incursions in of invasive species in the ACT, and we'll be very busy heading into the cold Autumn and Winter months.
"We know that Canberrans love to take an active role in helping protect our unique native biodiversity and take action on climate change. You can help us identify and treat biosecurity threats by joining local volunteer groups or reporting sightings of our most -wanted weeds through Canberra Nature Map or by phoning Access Canberra on 13 22 81."
