Queensland Pest Survey Program

Australian Plague Locust Commission

Pest Survey Program (Queensland)
(2011 - 2012)
Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002

Pest Survey Program

The APLC is required by the above Act to notify the public of intended locust survey programs in Queensland. The areas to be covered by surveys and the duration of the program are published annually in the 'Queensland Country Life' newspaper. This program provides more information on the methods and purpose of locust surveys. APLC officers are ‘Authorised Persons’ under the Act for the purposes of monitoring populations of several declared pest locust species.

Area to be covered in this program

Australian Plague Locust Commission officers, authorised pursuant to the Land Protection Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, may conduct locust surveys during this program in the following local government areas:

Balonne Shire Council
Banana Shire Council
Barcaldine Regional Council
Barcoo Shire Council
Blackall Regional Council
Boulia Shire Council
Bulloo Shire Council
Burke Shire Council
Carpentaria Shire Council
Central Highlands Regional Council
Charters Towers Regional Council
Cloncurry Shire Council
Dalby Regional Council
Diamantina Shire Council
Flinders Shire Council
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Isaac Regional Council
Longreach Regional Council
McKinlay Shire Council
Mt Isa City Council
Murweh Shire Council
Paroo Shire Council
Quilpie Shire Council
Richmond Shire Council
Roma Regional Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Toowoomba Regional Council
Winton Shire Council

Criteria for Selection of Above Area

The area falls within the Australian Plague Locust Commission’s geographic area of operation for survey under a Commonwealth/State Memorandum of Understanding for locust monitoring and control.  Surveys are carried out in parts of the area at different times based on reports from state officers or landholders, and the forecast likelihood of habitat conditions suitable for locust population change.

Commencement and Duration of Survey

This survey program will commence on Friday 1 July 2011 and will continue until Saturday 30 June 2012.

Purpose of the Program

To locate infestations of locust nymphs and/or adults that pose a potential threat to pastures and crops. To monitor and map the distribution and spread of locusts.

Survey Methods

Surveys will generally be ground survey by APLC staff. Transects are taken at regular intervals along roadways, where locust species, development stage and density are recorded. This may involve entry by foot or by vehicle onto public or privately held land. If significant locust populations are found or suspected of being present the APLC may use aerial survey which is carried out in fixed-wing aircraft at a height of 500-1000 metres, or by helicopter down to tree height.

APLC Staff Conducting Survey

All APLC Officers are employed as Australian Public Servants, subject to evaluation of suitability & police checks, obliged to abide by the Australian Public Service (APS) Act/Code of Conduct, evaluated for fitness for duty, participate in a formal APLC Induction Program and are required to satisfactorily complete relevant training.

APLC employs a competency-based training program to address the particular needs associated with the specialised nature of APLC operations and for which no alternative external service provider exists. This includes:

• Conducting ground and aerial surveys to assess locust populations and environmental conditions.
• Participation in locust control campaigns, including aerial and ground target search and marking, and assessment of control efficacy.

The APLC is the lead agency in locust control in Australia with a similar international reputation. Internal policy guidelines require officers to satisfy accepted competency standards before performing identified tasks.  Officers who have not yet attained competence are not authorised to perform identified tasks without the direct supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced APLC officer.