Invasive species are already costing NSW at least $1.9 billion per year, and without major reform this could balloon to $29.7 billion per year by 2030, a new, scathing report has found.
The National Resource Commission has just released its highly anticipated draft NSW Invasive Species Management Review, which spotlights the shortfalls in invasive species management in NSW.
Among 71 recommendations, the commission has called for:
Invasive Species Council advocacy director, Jack Gough said this detailed and scathing review paints an ugly picture of failed invasive species management across the board in NSW.
He said the current system is nonstrategic, underfunded, uncoordinated and unenforced.
“This is despite the fact NSW’s environment is in the grip of an invasive species crisis, exacerbated by natural disasters, climate change, chronic underfunding, and a lack of political will,” Mr Gough adds.
“‘The review confirms what we have been saying to successive governments for years – without major changes and increased investment in invasive species management our state’s economy, productivity and native wildlife will suffer.
“The Natural Resources Commission has given Premier Minns and Treasurer Mookhey a gift with this report and its 71 recommendations. They now have the chance to finally fix this broken system.
“We hope they take up this challenge because the warning from this report is clear. If we fail to manage new invasive species incursions, it could cost our state $29.7 billion per year by 2030, up from $1.9 billion now.
“And that’s not even including the enormous cost to our wildlife and environment.”
Mr Gough said the ISC also welcomes the proposal for a new five-yearly dedicated investment program as a key recommendation of this report.
He says long-term funding certainty is essential for good weed and pest animal management, and it will drive the leadership, coordination and local implementation needed to prevent this crisis from snowballing further.
“Invasive species are the highest impact driver of extinctions, directly endangering 70 per cent of threatened wildlife and ecosystems in NSW,” Mr Gough explains.
“They degrade and damage waterways and bushland, kill native wildlife and prevent regeneration,” he says.
“Weeds such as lantana and madeira vine are smothering our native plants; feral foxes and cats prey on our birds and small mammals and streams and wetlands are being trampled by hard-hoofed feral deer and horses.
“New threats on our doorstep, like red imported fire ants or tilapia fish, could also cause new extinctions if they make it into NSW.
“'We simply can’t afford to continue an unenforced, buck-passing approach to the handling of invasive species. This report must be the catalyst for genuine reform.”
