Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009L02536:reg:3:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009L02536
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 3/8)
Character Range: 17761–20825

high priority, short term
1.5 Develop a network of Australian and overseas technical experts                                                                                                        Medium priority, medium term

Current state of actions
The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has contracted the collation of data on the presence of vertebrate species (including exotic rodents) on Australian islands. However, significant uncertainties remain in the databases. Rodents may be present on some islands despite surveys but not found, or found but not noted in the literature. Rodents are known to be present on some islands but the species remains unclear. Many islands, some with high biodiversity values, have not been surveyed for exotic rodents.

Setting national or regional priorities would be improved with more complete information on the presence/absence of particular exotic rodent species; and feasibility or operational planning for any island would require information on both the exotic rodents and non-target species.

Action 1.4 might be completed at a national level using current data (e.g. see Table 2.3 in the Background document). The outcomes of this would give state and territory agencies a clear guide in their process to prioritise and set timetables for eradication or sustained control among the islands in their jurisdictions (see actions under 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 below).

Performance indicators
    * The current island databases are updated periodically, and any islands with high-priority conservation values such as threatened species or unique communities, but with uncertain rodent status, are checked.
    * Templates of best practice feasibility studies and operational plans on rodent eradication are circulated to key state and territory agencies and used to develop capacity and the network of experts.
    * A national list of the highest priority islands for eradication is developed.

3.3.2             Actions to achieve eradication
This group of actions flows from state and territory commitment to use the national list produced in action 1.4 to progress eradication as an option to manage exotic rodents on islands in each jurisdiction.

The direction of the recommended action to start the planning process for islands other than the four noted below will depend on success on the two large islands (Macquarie and Lord Howe). If rodents are eradicated from these two islands then other remote, large islands with significant biodiversity values at risk (e.g. Norfolk, Christmas, the Cocos group) might be considered. If the rodents are not eradicated from Macquarie or Lord Howe then further research to identify the causes of failure and its solution would be required before attempting other large islands. The initial priorities might switch to achieving success on smaller islands, perhaps with a single species of exotic rodents as the priority.  Whenever possible in undertaking research on, or control of, exotic rodents on islands the disease status of the species (and, where