Local government will have greater input into how Land Protection funds are spent under a new governance model designed by local government representatives in partnership with the LGAQ and Biosecurity Queensland.
Biosecurity Queensland funded the LGAQ to deliver the Invasive Plants and Animals Co-investment Model Project which has involved the establishment of 10 Regional Pest Management Sub-Committees that will meet at least twice a year to collaborate on invasive plant and animal issues.
Senior Advisor for natural assets and natural resource management, Kristy Gooding said the model was a positive step towards creating a more collaborative and transparent system for the use of Land Protection funds.
“Each of the sub-committees will have an opportunity to submit projects for consideration to the recently established State-Wide Oversight Group on an annual basis, granting local government a stronger voice in invasive plants and animal issues,” Ms Gooding said.
A review of the methodology used in Land Protection funding is also currently underway. An options paper has been released by Biosecurity Queensland which highlights a number of potential new approaches to land protection.
The State-Wide Oversight Group will be providing initial recommendations to the review, after which Biosecurity Queensland will undertake a formal consultation process.