Declared pest rates can be determined under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (the Act) by the Minister for Agriculture and Food to help raise funds for Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) to use to control priority pests and weeds.
The Minister proposes to introduce an amendment to Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Regulations, which relates to the consultation that is required before the determination of a declared pest rate under the Act.
The current Regulation requires a newspaper publication of a notice identifying the affected land and the proposed rate, and inviting submissions from interested persons regarding the proposed determination. It also requires that, if reasonably practicable, a copy of that notice is sent by post to each owner of affected land.
Under the proposed amendment, a copy of the public notice must be sent directly to landowners only in circumstances where a rate is imposed in an area that was not subject to a rate in the previous year, or when the rate is an increase of 10% or more on the rate imposed the year before.
The amendment also proposes to remove the words ‘by post’ from the existing regulation, so in future landowners can also be contacted directly by methods such as email, rather than just by posted letters.
All other consultation requirements and processes would remain unaffected. Advertising in relevant newspapers will still be required for all areas subject to a rate, and the ongoing RBG engagement with relevant stakeholders will continue throughout the year.
Further details on the processes involved in the operation of a RBG, including consultation, can be found on the department website.
The proposed amendments were subject to a public consultation process, which closed on 15 March 2019.
