Mackay Regional Pest Management Group

“To coordinate pest management across the region and ensure that best practice principles are carried out in a consistent and efficient manner.”

Over 2700 exotic plant and 73 exotic animal species have been introduced into Australia, severely impacting agricultural systems, urban areas and the natural environment.

The MRPMG was established in 2002 and consists of representatives from Local and State Government departments, community groups and industry bodies whose core business involves the provision of pest management information and expertise within their respective fields.

The role of the group is to:

- Develop networks that aid in the exchange of knowledge and information to those involved with pest management.
- Obtain a consistent pest management approach across Local Governments with State Agencies, industries and community groups.
- Formulate links with key Natural Resource Management groups.
- Provision of a regional pest technical reference group.
- Lobby and ensure pest management funding is spent strategically

The MRPMG currently has 16 organisation representatives and a Management Committee.

The MRPMG’s includes stakeholders from across the Whitsunday, Mackay and Isaac region, focusing on the area within the Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) NRM region. This area extends from 5km south of Bowen in the north to 3km south of Clairview in the south and follows the range in the west.

The 2016-2017 elected Management Committee includes;

Chair – Peter Alden (Whitsunday Catchment Landcare)

Management Committee Members -Bren Fuller (Whitsunday Regional Council), Emily Wood (Reef Catchments), Lalith Gunasekera (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries), Peter Alden (Whitsunday Catchment Landcare), Shelley Molloy (Mackay Regional Council)

Key Contact Officer: Emily Wood, Pest and Weed Project Officer with Reef Catchments, based in Proserpine (07 4964 6121)

Current stakeholder organisations in the group include:

- Canegrowers Mackay
- Canegrowers Proserpine
- Conservation Volunteers Australia
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines
- Department of Transport and Main Roads
- Ergon Energy
- Isaac Regional council
- Mackay Area Productivity Services
- Mackay Regional Council
- North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation
- Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group
- Powerlink
- Reef Catchments (Mackay, Whitsunday, Isaac) Ltd.
- Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association
- Whitsunday Catchment Landcare
- Whitsunday Regional Council