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Publications archive - Biodiversity
Key departmental publications, e.g. annual reports, budget papers and program guidelines are available in our online archive.
Much of the material listed on these archived web pages has been superseded, or served a particular purpose at a particular time. It may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. Many archived documents may link to web pages that have moved or no longer exist, or may refer to other documents that are no longer available.
Final report for the Department of the Environment and Heritage
Quentin Hart. Bureau of Rural Sciences,
December 2005
Threat Abatement Plans (TAPs) for foxes, feral cats, rabbits and feral goats were published in 1999 with a requirement to review them after five years. The overarching aims of the three-stage review are to provide a basis for revised TAPs to be developed and to suggest mechanisms for improved engagement with State agencies and regional bodies, particularly in relation to off-reserve conservation.
It is important that TAP funding is structured and prioritised according to agreed Objectives/Actions as proposed in this review. At the same time, there should be flexibility in the implementation of the TAPs over the next five years, so that resources can be diverted to particular issues as problems or opportunities present themselves. This review also presents a case for the need to reinstate some form of TAP implementation team or advisory panel to improve ongoing evaluation of TAP projects and the TAPs themselves.
The Australian Government has justifiably shifted responsibility for funding of routine pest animal control from the TAPs to the Regional Component of the NHT. This recognises that pest control is primarily the responsibility of State governments and individual landholders, although the Australian Government has a valuable role to play in facilitating activities to address national priorities.
This review discusses the TAPs and feral animal management in the context of overall biodiversity conservation approaches. Feral animal management should not be considered in isolation – for example, it is inefficient to undertake predator control for native animal conservation until there is sufficient quantity and quality of habitat to support a viable population of the species. Off-reserve conservation can be a cost-effective way to increase the size of available habitat as discussed in this review.
The review concludes with a series of recommendations to: develop and promote revised TAPs; improve ongoing implementation and evaluation of the TAPs and associated projects; and, more effectively link to State and regional processes.
This report is also available as a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view it.
If you are unable to access the report, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.