Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03939:body:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03939
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28561–31715

control programs, investigated.
  3. Existing control program for the crazy ant maintained and/or improved within 2 years.
4. Quarantine regulations and protocols reviewed, and modified as necessary within 2 years.
  5. Autecological studies are commissioned within 6 months of the rediscovery of either or both species.
  6. Should populations of either species be rediscovered, then at the end of 5 years the current distribution, biology, demography (including estimates of population size) and ecology is sufficiently well documented as to enable development of a full recovery program, including identification and prioritisation of all threats, together with plans for their abatement.
7. Comprehensive information is compiled on both species to support reassessment of their conservation status under the EPBC Act after 2 years if the species are not located, or, if rediscovered, at the end of 5 years.

Interests that may be affected by the Recovery Plan's implementation

    * The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH)
    * Parks Australia North (PAN) including PAN Christmas Island
    * The Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS)
    * Phosphate Resources Limited
    * Shire of Christmas Island
    * Crazy Ant Steering Committee
    * Telstra
    * Christmas Island Tourism Association
    * Christmas Island Economic Development Committee
    * Indian Ocean Territories
    * Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS)
    * Asia Pacific Space Centre
    * Department of Finance and Administration
    * Union of Christmas Island Workers
    * Island Care Inc

Social and economic impacts

Conservation of these species is warranted as important components contributing to the ecological services of Christmas Island's primary forests, and is also subject to actions required under Commonwealth legislation (EPBC Act) and international agreements (CITES). Consequently there is some potential for the presence of these species to constrain economic activity or development through a range of protective provisions and offences where a population of either species is to be affected; in the absence of recent records of these species the magnitude of this potential is currently unknown. The actions proposed in this Plan will assist in determining what could be significant impacts on both species.

These species are also of intrinsic scientific value in drawing attention to the unique evolutionary history and character of Christmas Island, and could contribute to the attraction of the island to visitors concerned with uniqueness of experience and wildlife conservation. These attributes should be emphasised by PAN in integrating these species into all programs aimed at involving the Christmas Island community in biodiversity conservation.

The greatest economic and social impacts possible due to implementing this Recovery Plan could be increased quarantine measures, enhanced biodiversity survey and monitoring programs, and the autecological research components. These actions, if implemented, involve modest supplementation of the existing management costs of Christmas Island's ecosystems by