Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161:reg:3:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 1/7)
Character Range: 34712–37674

3  Duration, cost, implementation and evaluation of the plan

3.1  Duration and cost of the plan

The plan reflects the fact that the threat abatement process is likely to be ongoing, as there is no likelihood of nationally eradicating foxes in the foreseeable future.

Investment in many of the TAP actions will be determined by the level of resources that stakeholders commit to management of the problem. The total cost of implementation cannot be quantified at the time of writing. The ongoing costs of fox control will generally be high. For instance, to aerially bait approximately 35 000 square kilometres/year would cost approximately $1.3 million (Saunders and McLeod 2007). Exclusion fencing is also expensive, in some cases up to $10 000/km.

This TAP provides a framework for undertaking targeted priority actions. Budgetary and other constraints may affect the achievement of the objectives of this plan, and as knowledge changes, proposed actions may be modified over the life of the plan. Australian Government funds may be available to implement key national environmental priorities, such as relevant actions listed in this plan and actions identified in regional natural resource management plans.

3.2  Implementing the plan

DEWHA will work with other Australian Government agencies, state and territory governments and national and regional industry and community groups, to facilitate the implementation of the plan. There are many different stakeholder interests and perspectives to take into account in managing foxes. For example, Indigenous communities' views need to be fully considered. It will be important to consult and involve the range of stakeholders in implementing the actions in this plan.

The Australian Government will implement the plan as it applies to Commonwealth land.

DEWHA will support a TAP implementation team to assist and advise on the implementation of the plan. The team will draw on expertise in vertebrate pest management from state and territory agencies, and non-government organisations.

This TAP will operate under the overarching framework of the Australian Biosecurity System for Primary Production and the Environment (AusBIOSEC) and in the context of the Australian Pest Animal Strategy, both of which aim to reduce the impacts of invasive species on native species and ecosystems.

3.3  Evaluating implementation
of the plan

It will be difficult to assess directly the effectiveness of the plan in abating the impacts of foxes on Australia's biodiversity. However, the Natural Resource Management Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (NRMMC 2003) established a program to provide national information about resource condition on a range of biophysical matters, including threats from vertebrate species such as foxes. As part of this work, a range of indicators will provide information on the extent of the impact of priority vertebrate species on biodiversity, as well as national trends on