Pest and Weed Management Plan - QGC

Pest and Weed Management PlanRev 0May 20112 Weed and Pest Management Plan2.1 IntroductionThe QGC Gas Fields cover a broad geographic area of 468,000ha (Appendix 2). Several weed and pestanimal species occur throughout these tenements. As a local landholder and industry operator, QGCaims to support the regional community with the management of pests and weeds to minimise theirspread and economic impacts. This Weed and Pest Management Plan provides operational guidanceand an action plan for the prevention, control and eradication of pests and weeds within QGC‟s tenementareas. QGC‟s goal is to ensure that gas field development and operations do not increase the presenceor distribution of pests and weeds within or outside the project area, and neighbouring landholders‟properties are not adversely impacted.A weed can be defined as any plant growing where it is not wanted. Most weeds are introduced, althoughthey can also be native. Weeds cost Queensland an estimated $600 million annually and have significantimpacts on primary industries and natural ecosystems, as well as human and animal health. Weeds havenatural mechanisms that ensure their spread and ongoing distribution and survival, aided by wind andwater, and movement with livestock and native animals. The movement and transport of people,machinery, vehicles and equipment is potentially a major source of weed spread. QGC operations havethe potential to aid weed spread if not effectively managed. The following sections provide guidance inpreventing the introduction of new weeds into previously unaffected areas by QGC operations, and thespread of weeds between QGC properties, surrounding properties and tenements.QGC takes an integrated approach to weed management which is based around the important elementsof weed hygiene, prevention of infestations, arresting weed outbreaks using effective reporting andphysical or chemical control procedures, documenting weed infestations and auditing managementprograms, and using effective rehabilitation and seeding operations to out-compete potential weedoutbreaks. QGC has a long term view of weed management across its gas field footprint and supportsmanaging weeds in collaboration and consultation with landholders, natural resource managementbodies and the government.QGC‟s pest management program aims to control animal pest species already present, using acceptablemethods as well as identify potential pest species, their likely distribution and methods to prevent theirspread. QGC has a long term view of pest management across its gas field footprint and supportseffective monitoring and control of pest outbreaks in collaboration and consultation with landholders,natural resource management bodies and the government.11 of 100