What does the key threatening process listing mean for me?
What is a 'key threatening process'?
A key threatening process is a recognised threat to biodiversity. It is listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. No regulations or restrictions are triggered by the listing of a key threatening process.
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How does the listing of the key threatening process affect me?
The listing of the key threatening process does not directly affect private landholders. All current regulations regarding routine agricultural and horticultural activities remain in place.
The legislative framework relating to the development consent process under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) remains unchanged, and this key threatening process will need to be considered in Assessments of Significance (under Section 5a of the EP&A Act).
All current regulations regarding agricultural and horticultural activities remain in place, and private landholders are not required to alter their current practices as a result of the final determination.
Will a threat abatement plan now be prepared?
Yes. After the Scientific Committee has made a final determination to list a key threatening process, the NPWS has three years to prepare a threat abatement plan. The purpose of a threat abatement plan is to manage and mitigate the adverse impacts of the threat on biodiversity. A threat abatement plan must also consider any social and/or economic consequences of the actions it specifies. Any adverse consequences of the plan must be minimised.
In preparing a threat abatement plan for exotic perennial grasses, the NPWS is likely to take the first step of consulting with:
- NSW Agriculture
- NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
- the NSW Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee
- the agricultural and horticultural industries
- rural groups such as NSW Farmers' Association.
During the development of a threat abatement plan, methods to reduce the impact of the process will be discussed, and there will be extensive consultation with stakeholders.
The Threatened Species Social and Economic Advisory Committee will provide advice on the likely social and economic impoacts of the proposed actions and the analysis of social and economic issues within the threat abatement plan.
How would a threat abatement plan affect private landholders and other interested groups?
In preparing the threat abatement plan and developing actions, the NPWS will work closely with NSW Agriculture and local control authorities to address the impacts of pasture weeds, such as serrated tussock, Chilean needlegrass, African lovegrass and Coolatai grass.
We will ensure a balanced and pragmatic management approach is adopted. There will be extensive consultation with the urban and rural community, agricultural industry bodies, the landscaping industry, state and local government agencies and other stakeholders.
Some perennial grasses have significant agricultural and/or environmental benefits. A threat abatement plan will not prevent the use of important agricultural grass species. However, it may recommend guidelines to minimise or prevent harm to native vegetation, particularly in areas of high conservation significance.
Actions that may be considered in a threat abatement plan include the following:
- Development of best-practice guidelines for the use of specific perennial grasses.
- Investigation of appropriate control and prevention methods in different vegetation types. For example, many perennial grasses chiefly spread along roadsides, and it is likely that unnecessary disturbance of verges and other management practices contribute to this spread. Actions to be considered may include the development of best practice guidelines for roadside maintenance by the RTA and local government.
- Public education campaigns to raise awareness of the impacts of invasive perennial grass species.
- Encouragement of nurseries to limit the sale of certain ornamental grass species and guidelines for use in landscaping activities.
- Research and development of alternative species in certain circumstances.
Information developed within the threat abatement plan would be available for incorporation into Regional Vegetation Management Plans, and other regional planning mechanisms.
What will happen to the continued growing of exotic pasture grasses?
Some exotic grasses provide valuable feed for livestock and have other beneficial attributes. For example, pastures which include a perennial grass species such as phalaris help reduce soil acidification and development of dryland salinity. Consul lovegrass, a form of African lovegrass, has been used to control spiny burrgrass (Cenchrus incertus and C. longispinus). The positive attributes of some perennial grass species will be a major consideration in the development of any future threat abatement plan.
The NPWS will consult extensively with industry and stakeholder groups to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of invasive perennial grasses on biodiversity without adversely affecting pasture production or other commercial uses.
A threat abatement plan will not stop the cultivation of agriculturally important perennial grasses, but will attempt to ensure that their cultivation has minimal impacts on biodiversity.
Page last updated: 10 April 2012
