Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p70
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 70/80)
Character Range: 258583–266196

influenced by the extent of complementary control of other threats that may also be affecting those native species.  2034
Rabbit populations continue to be suppressed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2029 and 2034
SUPPORT MANAGEMENT – Benefits of ecological management of cats broadly understood, and supported with information.
Habitat-specific guidelines for optimal fire patterns and introduced herbivore grazing thresholds that will minimise cat impacts are produced.                                                                                                                                                                                                               2029 and 2034
Feral cat (and other pest animal) impacts factored into fire management planning, and into post-fire response plans.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2029 and 2034
The outcomes of feral cat control after fire (on cat populations and cat-susceptible species) are monitored.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2029 and 2034
Land managers, including First Nations rangers, understand more about the potential (whether positive, neutral, or negative) for habitat management to reduce cat impacts, and the associated conservation and economic outcomes (positive and negative).                                                                                                    2029 and 2034
ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE
Research undertaken that extends current knowledge about apex predator management to reduce cat impacts, and evaluates the practicalities and any other potential costs and benefits.                                                                                                                                                                        2029 and 2034

     Actions

      Table 17 Objective 8. Actions

Objective 8. Reduce the burden of cat predation across all native species, with holistic management of habitat and species interactions over large areas.  Relative priority                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Cost       Responsibility                                                          Timelines
Reduce cat impacts
8.1                                                                                                                                                        Manage rabbits and introduced rodents to reduce cat populations and impacts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Very High  Medium (cost partially borne by agricultural sector)                    Commonwealth, state and territory governments; researchers; pastoralists; farmers                                                                                                                                                                        Starting in the period 2024-2029
                                                                                                                                                                * Continue broadscale biological control (predominantly carried out for agricultural productivity).
                                                                                                                                                                * Engage with agricultural policy, research and management sector to highlight the biodiversity co-benefits of rabbit control.
                                                                                                                                                                * At sites of high conservation value, consider additional rabbit control to reduce cat abundance; the support for this may vary among First Nations groups who hunt rabbits for food.
                                                                                                                                                                * Effects of rabbit management on cats, and native species, monitored at representative sites.
                                                                                                                                                                * Develop approaches for managing rabbits or cat populations to avoid destructive prey-switching events that drive declines in native species.
                                                                                                                                                                * On islands with both introduced rodents and cats, and where rodent eradication is planned, consider whether rodent eradication should be accompanied by feral cat eradication, to prevent feral cats from switching to native prey.
                                                                                                                                                           Where possible, management should focus on priority areas identified in Action 2.5.
8.2                                                                                                                                                        Maintain habitat complexity with appropriate fire management.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Very High  Low (modification of existing fire management funding and practice)     Commonwealth, state and territory governments; NGOs, Traditional Owners and First Nations ranger groups                                                                                                                                                  Starting immediately
                                                                                                                                                                * Manage fire to avoid extensive, severe fire events that simplify the structure of the ground layer over large areas.
                                                                                                                                                                * Consider the likely interactions of fire with cats (their density, activity, impacts) in fire management plans.