Each year the Midlands Biosecurity Group is required to submit an operational plan to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development that details the activities for the coming year. These operational plan are reviewed annually and are adopted at the groups Annual General Meeting held in October each year.
The objects and purposes of the Midlands Biosecurity Group as described in the group’s constitution are to:
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initiate, promote and foster the control of Declared Pests under section 165 of the BAM act in the Designated Area;
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encourage landholders and other persons to adopt sound biosecurity practices throughout the Designated Area;
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foster the sustainable development of the Designated Area;
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encourage the control of pests other than Declared Pests in the Designated Area;
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identify direct or indirect funding sources that can be made available for the development of the objects and purposes of the Association;
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provide Members with a forum to exchange information, advice and assistance where appropriate
WHAT WE DO
"The Midlands Biosecurity Group is here to initiate, promote and foster the control of Declared Pests in the Midlands region"
The Midlands Biosecurity Group (MBG) assists land owners and managers to adopt sound biosecurity practices and provides members with a forum to exchange information, advice and assistance. By ensuring clear communication between all relevant stakeholders, the MBG aims to raise awareness and ensure a multi-faceted approach to pest control. This includes Landholders, Local Government Authorities, State and Federal agencies, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions and relevant industry bodies.
The MBG covers the seven shires of Moora, Dandaragan, Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs, Mingenew and Irwin. These shires of the Midlands region are connected by waterways, national parks and have similar farming systems which supports a nil tenure approach to pest control.
For more information on the Midlands Biosecurity Group's activities head to Pest Programs.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objects and purposes of the Midlands Biosecurity Group as described in the group’s constitution are to:
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initiate, promote and foster the control of Declared Pests under section 165 of the BAM act in the Designated Area;
-
encourage landholders and other persons to adopt sound biosecurity practices throughout the Designated Area;
-
foster the sustainable development of the Designated Area;
-
encourage the control of pests other than Declared Pests in the Designated Area;
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identify direct or indirect funding sources that can be made available for the development of the objects and purposes of the Association;
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provide Members with a forum to exchange information, advice and assistance where appropriate; and
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undertake any activity that the Board of Management shall from time to time determine to be in furtherance of the objects of the Association
HISTORY
The MBG was established in response to the growing concerns of local farmers about the impact of wild dogs, foxes, feral pigs and rabbits on their farming operations and a lack of co-ordinated response to the issue. The Midlands Biosecurity Group was incorporated on the 19th of June, 2019 and has been engaging with the community over the last 6 months to raise awareness of the group.
Late in 2019, the group received Recognition from the Minister for Agriculture becoming the 15th Recognised Biosecurity Group in Western Australia.
The Midlands Biosecurity Group was formed with the administrative support of the West Midlands Group, a well-established grower group based in Dandaragan.
The West Midlands Group obtained funding from DPIRD to help establish the group and begin the effective management of wild dogs. In collaboration, the groups successfully applied for funding through the sheep and goat Industry Funding Scheme to boost wild dog operations that has been complemented by Federal Drought funding channelled through the Wild Dog action plan and support from Australian Wool Innovation.
On the 6th of December 2019, the MBG members elected the group's first Board of Management at its inaugural Annual General Meeting.
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
YOUR LOCAL PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNICIANS
The MBG has contracted three LPMTs or “doggers” who are currently working across land tenures, providing co-ordination between neighbours’ efforts to ensure that all control methods are strategic and impactful. The MBG will continue to contract LPMTs through various sources of funding.
PAUL PITARO
Ph: 0438 337 642
Mingenew • Irwin • Three Springs • Carnamah
ANDY WALKER
Ph: 0409 441 069
Dandaragan • Moora • Coorow
ANDY LOCKEY
Ph: 0459 200 004
Gingin • Chittering Victoria Plains
STAKEHOLDERS
Identified stakeholders of the Midlands Biosecurity Group include, but are not limited to:
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Local Landholders in the Shires of Moora, Dandaragan Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs, Mingenew and Irwin.
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Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (formally DAFWA)
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Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (formally DPAW)
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Shire of Moora
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Shire of Dandaragan
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Shire of Coorow
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Shire of Carnamah
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Shire of Three Springs
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Shire of Mingenew
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Shire of Irwin
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Adjacent Shires (Gingin, Chittering, Victoria Plains)
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Australian Wool Innovation Limited
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Meat and Livestock Australia
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Livestock firms (Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions)
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Adjacent Recognised Biosecurity Groups (Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association, Northern Biosecurity Group)