Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p73
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 209762–212865

over 90% of the dogs and cats in the Kakadu outstations are now desexed. This means that unless there is recruitment of animals from outside the park, the dog population will progressively reduce. Having a reduced dog and cat population will also help to minimise the adverse impacts of companion animals on native species in the park. This project has been a successful collaboration between AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities), the Warnbi and Gundjheimi Aboriginal Corporations, and Parks Australia.

    * Disease
  Pigs, buffalo, cattle and horses are known carriers of a range of diseases that have the potential to be transmitted to native species and domestic livestock. Kakadu's location along the northern coastline increases its exposure to potential new diseases, particularly those carried by birds or insects. Cats are also potential vectors of toxoplasmosis, which can affect native mammals.

    * Other pests
  There are many other pests that could potentially impact on native species. The park needs to continue to work with other agencies to develop and implement biosecurity practices that reduce risks of new pest species becoming established.

    * Public safety
  Some feral animal species present a public safety risk – for example horses on public roads – and need to be managed appropriately.

    * Effective use of resources
  It is not possible or feasible to eliminate all feral animals from the park. Agreement is needed between all stakeholders on the acceptable level of impact, and management effort allocated accordingly.

Policies

     5.3.9              Future proposals regarding the introduction of biological control agents will be subject to rigorous risk assessment, and any use of such agents will be monitored for effectiveness and impacts upon non-target species and habitats.

     5.3.10          Authorisation may be given for some feral animals to be retained in the park for Bininj/Mungguy cultural reasons – where this does not significantly affect the natural values of the park or significantly impede the effectiveness of park-wide invasive species management.

     5.3.11          The Director may provide training in control techniques to enable Bininj/Mungguy not employed by the park to obtain required licences to undertake feral animal control.

Actions

     5.3.12          Implement, review and update the feral animal strategy for the park to minimise the impacts of feral animals on the park's values including by:

        (a)      assessing risks to park values

        (b)      prioritising control of invasive species, giving highest priority to controlling species that are at risk of threatening ecosystem function and/or at risk of threatening priority areas and/or detrimental to threatened species

        (c)       using a range of mechanisms to deliver feral animal management and control

        (d)      monitoring invasive species density and spread and effectiveness of control works

        (e)      considering potential new feral animal species and proposing measures to prevent