Need help controlling pest plants or animals?
Council has a range of weed and animal control equipment(PDF, 4MB) and resources available to assist landholders with all their pest plants or animal control needs.
Landholders can access the services and equipment in this section by contacting Council on 1300 883 699 and requesting to talk with one of Council's Land Protection Officers.
Field days and workshops will be listed on this website and Council’s What’s On page.
For more information and resources to assist you in managing invasive plants and animals visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) website.
Contact Council to request for any of the following equipment for hire.
Hire rates
All fees and charges relating to hire of equipment can be found in Council's Fees and Charges online search facility.
Fees and Charges
Wick wipers
Four metre pressurised wick wipers are available free of charge for control of giant rat’s tail grass. These units attach to a tractor's three point linkage and work by applying a concentrated application of glyphosate to the giant rats tail grass plant and are quite effective in areas of light to moderate infestation. To achieve best results a series of three wipes will be required over an 18 month period.
Spray units
400 litre Quikspray units with 100 metre remote controlled retractable hose reels are available. Units come on a high clearance trailer. Units are available for control of declared plants and can be hired from Council. These units can generally halve the time required to treat an area of infestation.
Splatter guns
Splatter guns have been proven to give exceptional control of lantana, particularly in steep terrain or otherwise inaccessible locations. These guns are carried on the operators back and are gas operated to deliver a small concentrated mix of glyphosate. Allow approximately 5-6 hours per cylinder dependant on infestation density.
Boomless spray attachment
These attachments can be fitted to Council's spray units or any suitable high volume pump for undertaking control of large infestations. The unit allows for a 16 metre spray swathe to be applied in a single pass, making control of many large infestations a simple operation.
Aquatic weed control
Council has a range of equipment and an experienced contractor to help control aquatic pest plants in private dams. Contact the Land Protection Officers at Bundaberg Regional Council to discuss the hire charge.
Invasive plant inspections
This service can advise prospective purchasers of any invasive plant infestations that may be present on a property prior to purchase.
Council undertakes a co-ordinated baiting program for wild dogs in March, May, August and October each year. To participate in this program landholders must register themselves by either contacting Council's customer service officers on 1300 883 699 or by sending an email to parksadministration@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
If you would like further information about the program please read the information below or ask to speak to one of our Land Protection Officers.
Council can also assist with advice around baiting for feral pigs. Bait material such as grain and fruit may be used.
Download the latest 1080 Baiting Day Notice(PDF, 394KB) and Flyer(PDF, 392KB).
Register by Monday 21 October 2024 for the next baiting day on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
Introduction to the Co-ordinated Wild Dog 1080 Baiting Program
For many years Bundaberg Regional Council has provided landholders with 1080 baits through a coordinated baiting program in as well as upon request, to assist with the management of wild dogs in the Bundaberg Region. Research undertaken by Biosecurity Queensland has consistently shown that a cooperative approach to wild dog management within local areas through a coordinated baiting program will have a larger impact on reducing feral dog numbers than isolated baiting programs focusing on individual properties.
Changes to legislation
In 2020 the laws relating to the supply of 1080 baits were changed to allow landholders to purchase manufactured products from selected rural outlets. Further changes to the legislation in Queensland in October 2021 transferred the administration of 1080 bait material from Biosecurity Qld to Queensland Health. To acquire 1080 baiting products directly from commercial suppliers, landholders can now apply for a General Approval-Regulated Substance from Queensland Health with the approval remaining current for 2 years. For further information or to apply for a General Approval you can visit www.health.qld.gov.au.
Changes to Council program
Considering these changes in the availability of commercial 1080 products to landholders and the known benefits of a coordinated regional approach to wild dog management, Bundaberg Regional Council will now be providing four coordinated wild dog baiting programs that are strategically spread throughout the year to target key times in the life cycle of wild dogs. No 1080 baits will be provided by Council outside of the coordinated baiting programs. Landholders wanting 1080 baits at other times of the year will need to obtain an approval from Queensland Health and access them through commercial suppliers.
Program dates for 2024
During 2024, Council’s coordinated wild dog baiting programs will be undertaken on 13 March, 22 May, 28 August and 23 October.
Alternative control options
On smaller rural and peri-urban properties where 1080 baiting may not be an appropriate option, protection of domestic animals such as sheep, goats, alpaca’s and poultry may be achieved through the use of trapping, appropriate exclusion fencing, and guardian animals which can provide a very high level of protection from wild dog and fox predation. Council has a program where landholders can loan soft jaw dog traps and feral pig traps at no cost. Interested landholders are encouraged to discuss the use and suitability of these traps with their local Land Protection Officer. Further detailed information about the management of invasive animals such as wild dogs and foxes is available to landholders on the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website www.daf.qld.gov.au.
Baiting Program details
Council will supply up to 20 free meat baits per landholder registered for the program and who meet the conditions for baiting. The number of baits issued will be dependent on the property size.
Time and location:
- 9:30am -10:30am Meadowvale Council Depot, Heales Road
- 12:00pm -1:00pm Apple Tree Creek Sports Ground, Bruce Highway
- 2:30pm -3:30pm Gin Gin Council Pound Yard, Flanders Street
Registration: To participate in this baiting program, you can either call Council on 1300 883 699 to register, or send an email to parksadministration@bundaberg.qld.gov.au with your name, address where the baits will be laid and your phone number.
Land Protection Officer Contacts:
Eric Dyke - Senior Land Protection Officer (Gin Gin) 0414 660 356
Guy Hancock - Land Protection Officer (Bundaberg) 0419 481 478
Glenn Proctor - Land Protection Officer (North Hinterland & Coast) 0482 131 026
Spencer Katt - Land Protection Officer (Childers) 0448 921 141
Program requirements
- Participants must comply with all requirements of the Queensland Health Departmental Standard -Dealing with restricted S7 poisons for invasive animal control -version 1. A copy will be supplied.
- Landowners wanting an agent (another person) to collect baits on their behalf must provide a signed Authority for Agent to Sign form to Council at the time of bait collection.
- Landowners who have attended prior baiting days must bring labelled buckets previously supplied by Council to be eligible to receive baits.
- Before baits are laid, the user must give 72 hours notice, either verbally or in writing, to all neighbours whose property adjoins or fronts the holding either across a road or a waterway.
- Warning signs must be placed at all entrances to the land being baited and at the extremities of the land boundaries fronting a public thoroughfare.
- A record of all notifications stating time/date/occupier/method of notification is required to be kept and be available to be viewed by an Authorised Officer. Owners found to have failed to notify ALL neighbours will be refused future access to 1080 baits.
- No baits are to be laid within 5km of a town without Land Protection Officer approval.
Portable pig traps
Portable pig traps are available free of charge to assist with control of feral pigs. Pigs will normally require pre-feeding prior to trapping.
Indian myna bird traps
Indian myna
Indian myna's (Acridotheres tristis) are an aggressive invader which will quickly move into an area forcing native birds out. They are listed as one of the world's most invasive pest species. These pest birds have thrived in and around the townships of Childers, Apple Tree Creek and Cordalba for many years.
The Indian myna is usually found close to human habitation. In the evening, large groups of Indian mynas' gather in communal roosts, mainly in the non-breeding season, in roof voids, bridges and large trees and numbers can reach up to several thousands.
The increasing numbers of Indian myna birds is a result of its opportunistic behaviour and aggressiveness towards other species, bullying them for food and out competing them for nesting sites. They are a pest and a threat to native birds and wildlife.
In 2009, Bundaberg Regional Council commenced a program to reduce the environmental impacts caused by Indian myna's on our regions native wildlife. Additional sightings of the Indian myna have been made in other areas of the Bundaberg region including Avoca, Fairymead, on Seaview Road in Bargara and around Wallaville.
Making a positive identification
The introduced Indian myna should not be confused with the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala), which is a native Australian honey eater and not a pest in Australia. The noisy miner is mostly grey.
The Indian myna is brown with a black head and is an average size of 24cm. It has a yellow bill, legs and bare eye skin. In flight it shows large white wing patches. The myna is a member of the starling family and is also known as the Common Myna or Indian myna. The breeding season runs from October through to March.
The bird call of the Indian myna is regarded as unpleasant with a collection of growls and other harsh notes. The noise from large groups of Indian myna's can be deafening. You can hear an mp3 version of their call on the Birds in Backyards website.
Indian myna bird traps
Council has implemented a control program to reduce Indian myna bird numbers using specially made traps. Council has a number of traps available for loan to any member of the community who is interested in becoming involved in the programme.
Bounty program
To further enhance Council's existing program which has seen a significant reduction in myna numbers, Bundaberg Regional Council has a $5 bounty paid for every Indian myna which is trapped alive and in good condition. Contact Council land protection officers to advise of trapped birds or to loan traps.
Hire rates
All fees and charges relating to hire of equipment can be found in Council's fees and charges online search facility.
Fees and Charges
Chemical assistance
Due to a global shortage of the chemical Taskforce (Fluproponate) used to control giant rat's tail grass (GRT), African love grass and a small number of other grass species, Council is unable to supply this chemical at this time.
Any changes to the availability of this chemical will be updated here.
Pest property management plans
Pest Property Management Plans help property owners manage pest weeds and animals on their properties by prioritising resources, complying with legislation and co-ordinating action with neighbours.
For your convenience Council has produced a Pest Management Plan Template.
This form must be completed and returned to Council to access this programme.
Pest Management Plan
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. It is similar to classical swine fever but is caused by a different virus. The disease is established in Asia and part of Europe and it has no vaccine.
ASF is spread within domestic pig populations through contact with infected pigs, movement of people or objects that have been in contact with infected pigs and feeding of contaminated swill.
ASF is considered one of the most important diseases of pigs worldwide and is listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
It is not a danger to human health, however as the virus is highly resistant it can survive on clothing, boots, wheels and other materials as well as in pokr products such as ham, sausages or bacon, therefore human behaviours play an important role in spreading this diseases across borders if adequate measures are not taken.
Whilst ASF has never occurred in Australia, it still remains a significant biosecurity threat to our country. An outbreak would devastate our pig production and health and damage our trade and economy.
Bundaberg Regional Council's Natural Resource Management, Local Disaster and Regulatory Services teams have attended biosecurity discussions to ensure they have the latest information should they need to assist the Australian Government if an outbreak was to occur.
In October 2022 Council's Land Protection team will contact landholders to share information via email about ASF from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). If you would like to be added to this contact email list please either phone Council on 1300 883 699 or email parksadministration@bundaberg.qld.gov.au or drop into one of Council's Customer Service Centres.
How you can help
- If you own pigs ensure you are aware of and comply with swill feeding legislation Farm Biosecurity
- Know the clinical signs of African swine fever
- Respect biosecurity measures on farms
- Early detection is critical for a rapid and effective respons - report unusual cases of disease to Council, state or territory government veterinarians or through the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 for advice and assistance
Read more about ASF on the DAFF website and on the World Organisation for Animal Health website
Information on this page has been drawn from the DAFF and OIE websites.