State-wide review of pest animal management

Government response to the Commission's final report

The NSW Government has responded to the Commission's Final Report - Shared problem, Shared solutions - on the review of pest animal management in NSW.

The final report was prepared in response to a Terms of Reference from Government requesting a state-wide review of pest animal management.

The final report identifies opportunities to enhance the approach to managing pest animals in NSW to deliver lasting environmental, economic and social outcomes across all land tenures. The review draws on close to 600 submissions from landholders, recreational and special interest associations, community groups, and government bodies; over 100 research publications; as well as extensive consultation with public and private stakeholders across NSW. The Commission greatly appreciates the time and effort of all those involved throughout the review.

For enquiries about the final report, please contact the Commission on 02 9228 4844 or nrc@nrc.nsw.gov.au.

For enquiries about the Government response, please contact Dr Andrew Sanger, Department of Primary Industries on 02 6042 4207 or andrew.sanger@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Submissions on draft report

The Commission received over 400 submissions out of which 27 are confidential.

The following link shows all non-confidential submissions.

All non-confidential submissions

Below are attachments to individual non-confidential submissions.

A C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T V W

Submissions on issues paper

The Commission received 176 submissions.

The following link shows all online non-confidential submissions.

All online non-confidential submissions

Below are submissions received as an attachment to the online submission form or separately through email or post.

A B C D F G I J K L M N P R S T W

About the review

The review identified opportunities for improving arrangements for pest animal management in NSW. In developing our advice, the Commission:

  • investigated the quality of evidence and processes supporting prioritisation decisions
  • identified priority pest animal issues and emerging risks
  • considered examples of best practice and the barriers to more effective pest animal management
  • evaluated opportunities to better coordinate, redirect or grow investment and management across different tenures and pest species
  • identified priority research needs
  • investigated ways to promote community ownership in pest animal management
  • considered implementation and transitional issues.

The review considered introduced terrestrial and freshwater vertebrate species. Native animals and animals in the marine environment were not included.

The Premier requested the Commission to establish an advisory committee, headed by the Commissioner Dr John Keniry. This Committee consisted representatives from the Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services and the Office of Environment and Heritage. Mr Terry Korn PSM was an independent member on the Committee.

Background information on pest animals in NSW

Pest animals create significant economic, social and environmental costs for NSW. It is estimated NSW farmers spend around $22 million each year to manage pest animals, while the total economic impact of pest animals is conservatively estimated to be $170 million each year. However, the losses extend far beyond agriculture and pest management costs, to major social and emotional impacts on landholders and communities.

Currently, pest animals are managed across different tenures by private and public land managers. There is a perception that the pest animal problem is getting worse despite efforts of landholders and governments, and that more coordinated approaches are needed.

With the introduction of the Biosecurity Act 2015, the NSW Government has sought to streamline the regulatory framework for pest animals - and biosecurity risks generally - by consolidating legislative requirements under one Act. This Act promotes managing biosecurity as a shared responsibility, and is a fundamental shift to how pests have been managed in the past.

Further information on the Biosecurity Act 2015 is available on the Department of Primary Industries website.

Draft report factsheets: