THE National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is partnering with state agencies and Natural Resource Management bodies to host more than 40 community briefing sessions in carp-affected communities across Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia starting in October 2017.
The $15 million NCCP is looking at ways to control carp, the most destructive introduced pest fish species in southeastern Australia, to ultimately improve the quality of Australia’s waterways and aquatic biodiversity. A key method being explored for the control of carp is the potential release of the carp virus, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3, as a biocontrol agent.
NCCP National Coordinator Matt Barwick says community briefing sessions are critical to ensure affected communities are provided up-to-date information on the work of the NCCP and also provide a forum for people to ask questions and provide feedback.
“While these community briefing sessions are important for us to share the background, context and desired outcomes of the NCCP, they also provide an opportunity to hear from community members about how the prevalence of carp impact on them, their lifestyle or business,” Mr Barwick says.
Mr Barwick says the NCCP is engaging with impacted regions as waterways are the lifeblood of many rural and regional communities and they need to be protected.
“We want to work collaboratively with the local community – as healthy river systems and waterways result in healthier communities. We want to learn more about how people use the affected river systems and waterways and work with communities to consider potential direct or indirect impacts, be it social, environmental, economic or cultural, that may eventuate,” Mr Barwick concludes.
The NCCP will provide detailed information to the Australian Government which will make a decision on the use of the biocontrol at the end of 2018.
Consultation sessions will be hosted by state agencies and Natural Resource Management groups (NRMs) in each state, in partnership with the NCCP. Each session includes two elements – a workshop of representatives from key stakeholder groups (12 noon-4.00pm), followed by a community briefing session (6.00-8.00pm).
To be kept up to date on the NCCP and to find out where community briefing sessions are being held, please see below or visit www.carp.gov.au.
Meeting locations and dates
