Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161:reg:2:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 3/7)
Character Range: 20933–24469

incentives for promoting and maintaining control programs adjacent to the priority areas. Actions 2.1–2.3 focus programs in fox control on the maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities affected by fox predation. Actions 2.1 and 2.2 are of high priority.

Fox populations need to be reduced over large areas because rapid population recovery, particularly by reinvasion, is a major problem. However, broadscale control of foxes throughout Australia is not feasible using the methods currently available. Therefore, it is necessary to identify priority areas for control based on scientific evidence of the significance of the population of native species or the ecological community affected and the degree of impact posed by foxes, relative to other impacts. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of a control program must be considered. These activities are covered by Action 2.1. Identification of priority areas could involve mapping the distribution of susceptible species, high-risk habitats and foxes, to produce a national overview of priority regions (e.g. using the approach outlined in Dickman [1996] and NSW NPWS [2001]).

Once priority areas have been identified, the next step is to implement regional control programs, as described in Action 2.2. Organisations implementing control programs will be encouraged to focus on areas where fox control will have the greatest outcome in reducing the threats to local populations of significant native species. The success of control programs should be monitored, applying national protocols (see Action 3.1) as soon as they are available.

It is important to control foxes in priority areas and in adjacent areas, to prevent immediate reinvasion. Action 2.3 focuses on developing incentives for such actions on private and leasehold lands.

Performance indicators

  • Priority areas, where fox control is required to protect important affected fauna, have been identified and are a focus for fox control programs.
  • Fox control work involves pre and post-control monitoring of fox populations and key native species targeted for protection, according to national protocols, to measure the outcomes of control operations.
  • Reliable native species population indicators are used to measure the outcome of reduced pest populations.

Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Priority and timeframe

2.1 Identify priority areas for fox control based on:                                                                                                                                                                            High priority, medium term

    • the significance of the population of the affected native species or of the ecological community
    • the degree of threat posed by foxes to species and ecological communities relative to other threats
    • the cost-effectiveness of maintaining fox populations below an identified 'damage threshold' in the region, and
    • the feasibility of effective remedial action.

  2.2 Conduct and monitor regional fox control, through new or existing programs, in priority areas identified in Action 2.1.                                                                                                    High priority, long term

  2.3 Apply incentives (other than bounties), partnerships and negotiated agreements