Environmentalists are concerned about the future of the government control program to remove feral slider turtles when the DPI takes over.
Photo © Peter Manson, DNRW

Queensland environmentalists will be looking closely at the State’s new feral pest control body, Biosecurity Queensland. From 1 March 2007, the new biosecurity agency will bring together the pest prevention and control functions of the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI), the Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW), and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) solely in the charge of the DPI .

The new agency was set up as a result of an election pledge by Premier Peter Beattie in September 2006 to bring together all the government staff responsible for pest management in order to maximise resources and reduce costs.

Biosecurity Queensland will be responsible for eradicating the red-eared slider turtle and crazy ants (among other pests). These species are of particular concern to environmentalists because of the threats they pose to Queensland wildlife.

Previous statements by the Environment Minister had indicated that DNRW was the body assigned to eradicating the red-eared slider turtle and the crazy ant. DNRW is considered by environmentalists to have shown serious commitment to this task, whereas the DPI vision is: ‘profitable primary industries for Queensland’ which may not be compatible with the environmental agenda.

Questions remain to be answered at this stage about how budget and legislation issues will be managed, including current agreements with local authorities

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