Locust training for RLPB staff
Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) staff will undergo plague locust training to best equip them with the knowledge and skills required to tackle locust activity in spring.
Over the next three months a number of rangers and support staff from across the state will attend training and information sessions on control measures, changes to legislation, the use of chemicals, and monitoring and reporting activities.
State Council of RLPBs Pest Animal Manager, Tim Seears, said that with favourable conditions, parts of the state could be facing a significant locust outbreak as early as mid to late September.
“Locust activity has been reported in parts of the Forbes, Wagga, Hume, Narrandera, Murray, Young, Gundagai and Riverina board regions.
“The north of the state also experienced activity earlier in the year in parts of the Northern Slopes, Moree, Tamworth and Nyngan Boards.
“We are aware of at least 980 properties across these areas where we suspect locusts have laid egg beds.
“Although many of our staff were involved during the 2004/5 plague locust campaign, it’s crucial that everyone is up to date with best management practices to help minimise damage to crops and pasture,” Tim Seears said.
The training will cover areas such as locust biology, forecasting, monitoring and reporting, ground and aerial control, environmental issues and the roles and responsibilities of various authorities.
It will also cover changes in legislation regarding the use of chemicals and buffer zones and significant changes to aircraft spraying and surveillance policies.
Rangers will attend training in Forbes later this month with further training sessions scheduled for RLPB staff in Narrabri in August, Dubbo in September and Wagga in October.
Tim Seears said it was critical that landholders remain vigilant and report any locust activity or egg bed locations, no matter how small, to their local Board.
“I urge farmers to check their properties thoroughly for egg beds as the more information we can gather the more effective and accurate our response will be, particularly to ensure that adequate supplies of chemical are on hand. This is especially relevant in areas that experienced locust activity in the autumn,” Tim Seears said.
Chemical will be available through your local Board provided locust activity meets certain criteria. For further information contact your local Rural Lands Protection Board.
RLPBs are also currently working on a locust action plan with the Department of Primary Industries.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Ingham (02) 6391 3242 Mob 0428 465 378