Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00220:reg:2:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00220
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 14/20)
Character Range: 68129–71136

transmission from feral cats to native animals and how this impact may be mitigated.

Action 3.1 Eradicate, or control, cats on offshore islands of high, or potentially high, biodiversity value
Action 3.1 emphasises the importance that islands have in maintaining biodiversity. Cat eradication programs have been successful on a number of islands and similar programs on at least two more large islands (Dirk Hartog Island and Christmas Island) are underway. These islands are or will become important refuges for reintroduced threatened species, or have endemic species that are threatened in the case of Christmas Island. This action has the option for sustained control on off-shore islands. This is generally not cost-effective in the long-term but is included to acknowledge that there may be islands where, at the present time, it is not possible (for financial, resourcing or technical reasons) to completely eradicate feral cats. In these situations it may be worthwhile investing in a sustained control program where it enhances the survival of threatened species. Care should be taken to ensure that potential unintended consequences of cat eradication are considered for each island.

Action 3.2 Establish, enhance or maintain biosecurity measures for cat-free offshore islands to prevent incursions
Establishing or maintaining biosecurity measures for islands that do not have feral cats is critical. This may need to be reinforced through state or territory legislation. Action 2.2 addresses issues of provision of appropriate training and information to support and undertake biosecurity.

Action 3.3 Establish and maintain further fenced reserves ("mainland islands") for threatened species where it is identified cats cannot be controlled to the level required for threatened species recovery
Cats are present almost everywhere in the mainland Australian landscape so there are no natural mainland refuges that can be exploited for threatened species recovery. Instead, where a threatened species population is sufficiently threatened it may be possible to fence an area of habitat with a predator-proof fence. Action 3.3 recognizes predator-proof fencing as an important option for some of the most threatened species that are unlikely to survive without such action. Predator-proof fence designs are now standard but are expensive to build and require significant ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Note though that the ongoing monitoring and maintenance costs may be similar to other ongoing feral cat control methods. There may also be a requirement to manage overpopulation by some species confined to the fenced area.

Action 3.4 Research methods to understand thresholds of cat abundance required to improve survival rates for threatened species heavily preyed upon by feral cats. Research ways in which adaptation by threatened species may improve survival rates
Action 3.4 focuses on further research into alternatives to direct killing or complete exclusion of feral cats that can