Council urges rural landholders to report locusts ASAP

Goondiwindi Regional Council is urging rural landholders to report and control any populations of Australian plague locusts on their rural properties, to prevent impending damage to local crops and pasture.  Town residents in the Goondiwindi region also need to assist with spraying locusts on their lawns and gardens.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM yesterday met with the State Government officials to discuss the growing concern about locusts. 

“I can confirm that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) will be undertaking an on-the-ground assessment of the infestation on rural properties from next Tuesday [2 Feb], and we urgently need rural landholders to report the issue prior to this.  We need the DAF team to be visiting properties that have dense locust populations, to see first-hand the breadth of the problem, assess the numbers and the lifecycle stage.  From this data the State will be able to determine the scale and required management strategies and potential support available to local farms,” he said.

“Council is getting some requests and enquiries from landholders about hatching nymphs [immature locusts] on their rural properties, but anecdotally I’ve heard there may be significantly more that are unreported,” the Mayor said.

Rural residents should report locust activity to Biosecurity Queensland via the Australian Plague Locust Commission on 1800 635 962 or online at: www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/locusts/landholders/reporting_locusts

Council acknowledges that the Goondiwindi township has numerous locust hatchings in high numbers, the town is not covered by the DAF response and there is no need for town residents to report.  However Council requests town residents contact their local garden suppliers to assist with a swift control response. 

“We understand the sensitivity of chemical usage especially in residential areas, however it is critical that we work together to minimise the locust numbers. There is a range of insecticide options on the market, some are more suited to broad acre purposes and others for residential properties.  It is important that all users of insecticide understand the risks from their local supplier and follow all instructions for use.

“I will be lobbying the State Government to assist with the provision of education resources to help the community with their awareness of treatment options, as well as specific industry information.

“It’s important we are actively assessing and addressing this now, as the recent favourable weather conditions mean the outlook for January/February is for increasing locust activity, with a high likelihood of further widespread breeding,” said Cr Springborg.

Locust populations are readily controlled with insecticides if treated while in nymph stage, which means now is the ideal time for residents to manage any dense concentrations.

“As we understand it, the risk is that if we don’t act now to control the locust population, further generations will hatch and develop and pose a very real threat to late summer and early winter crops and pastures as well as the attractiveness of our towns,” Cr Springborg said.

 “I must remind residents of their responsibility under state law to control pests, and ask for their help in keeping this infestation under control before it gets out of hand.”

Within the township areas, Council has commenced spraying on impacted Council property and will continue to identify problem areas, including roadside corridors and stock routes.