Public Submissions Wanted On Proposed Pest Management Strategy

April 9, 2002

Aucklanders are invited to have their say on the Auckland Regional Council’s Proposed Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy over the next six weeks.

The proposed strategy, shaped with the help of public submissions to a discussion document last year, is the first step in the formal review process of the current Pest Management Strategies, as outlined in the Biosecurity Act 1993.

The Proposed Strategy amalgamates plant and animal pests into one document, and outlines the nine key principles that form the basis of council’s management of pests in the region.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee chair Bill Burrill says one of the key principles is to promote ownership of pest management issues by those that occupy or own affected land. The ARC will provide educational and regulatory support to achieve this outcome.

“This is fundamental to achieving long-term goals for pest management”, he says.

He points out that while regulation may sometimes be required to ensure objectives are being met, it is only a backstop. “Community ownership, leadership and action is the key and this revised strategy places a big emphasis on assisting communities to reach their goals.”

Raising awareness of and providing information on pests in the region, and supporting community initiatives in regard to plant and animal pest control are important components of the Proposed Strategy.

The Proposed Strategy also places priority on the control of low incidence pests, such as Devil’s tail, African feather grass and scrambling lily, to maximise the chances of eradication.

“There are many species that we must remove now, so that we are not faced with larger problems in the future,” Cr Burrill says.

Public submissions on the Proposed Strategy must be received by the council no later than 5pm, Wednesday 29 May 2002. Copies of the document can be viewed at all of the Auckland Regional Council’s main offices, and at public libraries throughout the region. They can also be downloaded from the Council’s website (www.arc.govt.nz) or obtained by phoning Enviroline on 09 366 2070 (Auckland free calling area) or 0800 806040 (outside the free calling area).

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A series of public meeting will be held across the region to allow public discussion on the Proposed Strategy. Dates and times of these will be advised in local and community newspapers.

As well as the proposed pest strategy, the ARC has just launched a major environmental public education campaign which includes a section on plant and animal pests. Called The Big Clean Up, the campaign provides some simple actions that householders can take to improve the environment, including replacing plant pests with native plants.

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