Pest animals and approved baiting & bounty programs

General baiting regulations

• No baits are to be laid within 5km of towns, without prior approval of Biosecurity Queensland.
• All neighbours whose boundary falls within 1 km of bait sites must be notified, (this includes National Parks and Forestry).
• Written notification to all occupiers of dwellings within 2 km of bait sites must be issued.
• All neighbours must be given at least 72 hours (3 days) notice in the fortnight prior to the program.
• Baiting notification must advise the steps that need to be taken to ensure domestic dogs do not gain access to 1080 baits or poisoned animals (e.g. restraint, muzzling etc.).
• A record of the baiting notification must be kept.
• Baiting must commence within 10 days of the notification otherwise another 3 days notification of intent to lay baits is required.
• No baits are to be laid within 150 meters of a dwelling without prior approval of Biosecurity Queensland.
• Property description, lot and plan number, property size must be supplied at baiting station, via rates/ valuation notice.
• 1080 signage must be displayed on all gateways and boundary posts along the road frontage of the baited property, for a month following the program. This must be done even if the adjoining property is carrying out 1080 baiting.
• Baits are to be used on property identified on the indemnity form (the form is emailed or mailed to the participant approximately two weeks before the program starts); baits cannot be stored for future use nor used/supplied to other properties.
• All domestic dogs and cats need to be restrained during the program.
• Authority to sign forms must be completed by landowners who are unable to attend stations and would request someone else to pick up baits on their behalf.
• A deed poll must be signed by the landholder or representative before baits can be received.
• Any person attending a baiting station must be over the age of 18 to collect baits.
• Domestic animals are not to be brought to any baiting station.

Wild dog and fox baits

• Read the Queensland Government wild dog webpage and the Queensland Government fox webpage.
• Meat baits are to be supplied by the property owner or occupier.
• All meat baits must be 250 grams in size (adult fist size).
• Meat must be fresh and contain no bone, fat or skin.
• All baits must be tied or buried.
• All uneaten baits must be collected and destroyed after 7 days.
• Manufactured baits will be available at all baiting stations for a cost of $2.00 (Doggone) with the first 20 free per landholder (only available during coordinated baiting programs, not once off localised programs).
• Manufactured baits for extended baiting must be stored in a locked facility on the land described in the deed poll.
• All baits must be transported in marked and sealable containers and in such manner to prevent unauthorised access.

Pig baits

• Read the Queensland Government feral pigs webpage.
• Landholders are encouraged to contact us to discuss pre-feeding arrangements.
• We can provide technical support and provision of remote cameras, feeders, pig panel traps.

1080 is the most efficient, humane and species-specific pesticide currently available for declared animal control in Australia.

Native wildlife is generally resistant to 1080

Native wildlife is generally resistant to 1080 because they have evolved in the presence of fluoroacetate, the active component of 1080. This toxin occurs naturally in over 35 species of Australian plants. The risk to native fauna is further reduced by using bait materials unattractive to native species and placing baits in a way that minimises risks to non-targets.

The following information illustrates the quantity of raw meat bait material that has to be digested to receive a lethal dose. Bait must be consumed in one sitting.

Wild dog:

• Number of raw meat baits: 1
• Weight of raw meat baits to be eaten: 250 gm

Wedge tail eagle:

• Number of raw meat baits: 10
• Weight of raw meat baits to be eaten: 2.5 kg

Goanna:

• Number of raw meat baits: 60
• Weight of raw meat baits to be eaten: 15 kg

Adult human:

• Number of raw meat baits: 47
• Weight of raw meat baits to be eaten: 11.75 kg

Animals suffer limited discomfort from 1080 poisoning

Humans who have survived 1080 poisoning report confusion, but remember no pain. This experience is because 1080 initially depresses the central nervous system and blocks transmission of pain. Even though some 1080 poisoned animals physically convulse, it is likely that there is no pain perceived by the animal.

1080 degrades in our natural environment

1080 is extremely biodegradable. Plants and microbes found in soil, water, and also in the meat and grain used in baiting, degrade 1080 into non-toxic components. Soil bacteria and fungi also detoxify 1080, usually within weeks.

Strategic baiting campaigns protect our rural industry and environment

Reducing pest animal numbers and impacts are important to rural industry and environmentalists. 1080 baiting is the most effective and target-specific means of reducing pest animal damage. Broad-scale coordinates baiting programs offer the best method of sustaining low predator numbers to minimise livestock losses and environmental impacts.

• The landholder must be able to provide proof of land ownership e.g. copy of rates notice or land lease, and photo identification.
• The landholder must be able to indicate the lot and plan of the property, within the Toowoomba Region, where the animal(s) were destroyed.
• To be accepted for payment, scalps must be:
  • One whole single piece of skin and fur from the snout, including the ears, along the back to the tail. See image to the right.
  • Air dried and preserved in a manner that allows for identification. (i.e. flat).
  • No frozen or rotting scalps will be accepted.
  • Scalps presented in batches must be separated individually for identification and counting.
  • Council reserves the right to reject material presented for the bounty that does not meet the specified conditions.
• After processing, scalps will be defaced and the landholder will be required to dispose of the scalp.