Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00257:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00257
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 14435–18156

pig control programs, so their effectiveness can be evaluated

      5. Build capacity for feral pig management and raise feral pig awareness amongst landholders and land managers, and

      6. Improve public awareness about feral pigs and the environmental damage and problems they cause, and the need for the feral pig control.

Each objective is accompanied by a set of actions which, if implemented, will help to achieve the goals of the threat abatement plan. Performance indicators (outcomes and outputs) have been established for each objective. Reports on progress against the objectives may be sought by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy in years 4–5 for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of the threat abatement plan.

           Objective 1: Prioritise key species, ecological communities, ecosystems and locations across Australia for strategic feral pig management.
The key purpose of this threat abatement plan is to address the key threatening process—predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs. It is therefore necessary to identify the important ecosystems, habitats and species that may need protecting through research findings, qualitative assessments and stakeholder/landholder discussions.

From the perspective of the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, the key species and ecosystems are those listed as threatened under the EPBC Act, for which feral pigs are a key threatening process. A list of EPBC-listed species and ecological communities negatively affected by feral pigs is at Appendix B.

The Department of the Environment and Energy has also attempted to provide some recognition in this threat abatement plan for species and ecosystems that are currently unlisted and do not trigger specific attention under the EPBC Act, but are at risk of becoming listed under the EPBC Act if feral pig impacts continue. Similarly, species, ecosystems and locations considered important for other reasons, or by other stakeholders (e.g. state-listed, culturally important, iconic) should also be taken into consideration when planning feral pig programs.

Identifying the locations of key species, ecological communities, and ecosystems under significant threat by feral pigs is an important foundation for Objective 1. Through knowing the key areas requiring feral pig control and protection, land managers can more effectively integrate and prioritise feral pig management into their management activities and, where necessary, seek long-term funding. It will also provide these land managers with information about what feral pig control actions they can undertake and how to measure the effectiveness of these control actions.

Action                                                                                                                               Priority/                                           Outcome                                                                                                   Output                                                                                          Key Actioners
                                                                                                                                     Timeframe
Action 1.1: Identify key species, ecological communities, ecosystems and locations for priority protection.                          High priority.                                      Key species, ecological communities, ecosystems and locations prioritised for protection and management.  Spatially explicit report that identifies priority areas for pig control.                      To be undertaken by