Kangaroo Island Weeds After Fire Project

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:12): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please inform the chamber about the work that has occurred on Kangaroo Island post the bushfire in relation to weeds?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his question. Members may be aware that, following the 2019-20 bushfires on Kangaroo Island, funding for a range of programs was made available through both state and commonwealth disaster funding arrangements.

Kangaroo Island's relative isolation and distinctive environment are well recognised, and its clean and green credentials are key to the island's economic and social wellbeing. The island's relative pest-free and disease-free status is significant for local primary industries. A significant amount of work has gone into ensuring the island remains pest and disease free. Indeed, members may recall my previous updates to the great work being undertaken to eradicate feral pigs on the island. I would hope that the shadow minister would be supportive of pest-eradication policies to support South Australian producers.

While I enjoy updating this place about feral pigs on the island, or the lack of them, I wish to provide an update today on the impressive work that has been done in managing weeds on the island. The $1.5 million Kangaroo Island Weeds After Fire Project is funded through disaster recovery funding arrangements. The project is managing new weeds introduced during the bushfire response and controlling already established fire-responsive weeds on the island.

To date, over 2,300 control hours have been completed by contractors and PIRSA staff, with a focus on Cape tulip, Cape Leeuwin wattle, Bulbil watsonia, Blackwood, African daisy and African boxthorn. I am advised that 40 fire-impacted landowners have so far utilised subsidies under the project to purchase weed spraying equipment and 45 landholders took part in the Cape tulip blitz across the duration of the project.

Over 100 people participated in six different weeds workshops as well as various interactions with landowners at agricultural shows. In addition to this, the state government is funding the Kangaroo Island biosecurity checks program to further assist landowners to tackle invasive weeds. We know that ferry services to Kangaroo Island are recognised as a major pathway for potential biosecurity incursions.

The Kangaroo Island biosecurity checks program focuses on biosecurity checks at the ferry terminals and at the airport, and on the hygiene of equipment, machinery and agricultural products coming onto the island. This program continues to help the island protect its $157 million livestock, apiary, grain, horticulture and viticulture industries.

I have had the opportunity previously to sit down with Agriculture KI and hear from them firsthand the benefits of programs such as these, and I thank them for their ongoing advocacy and leadership in growing and protecting the island's unique image. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in these programs and thank them for their incredible work in combatting weeds on the island.