Services and Subsidies

Council offers a variety of services, including financial support through subsidies, to assist landholders in managing the pest plant and animals on their property and working toward meeting their general biosecurity obligations.

To access any of the services or subsidies below, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre.

Assistance with Pest Plants

Herbicide Subsidy Scheme

Council has a co-contribution subsidy available for landholders to save money on the cost of herbicide. Landholders must have a current property Biosecurity Plan Agreement in order to access the scheme.

Under the scheme Council has identified the focus weeds for the Scheme and contributes 40% towards the cost of the herbicide to treat these weeds. The maximum order total is $4,000.

For more information, please see the Herbicide Subsidy Scheme Policy on Council's Policies web page or contact Council and ask for a member of our Pest Management Team.

Hire of Woody Weed Mulcher

Council has a woody weed mulcher available to landholders to help with the removal of woody weed. This is an attachment that connects to a bobcat (customer must have their own bobcat - minimum 70HP).

Bookings can be made by calling Customer Service on 47839800. Prior to collection a loan hire agreement form will need to be completed and hire fee paid (refer to Council's fees & charges). For more information, please contact Council and ask for a member of our Pest Management Team.

Hire of Chemical Spray Units

Council has three chemical spraying units available for hire to assist landholders with controlling weeds. These include:

Quick Corp 600L dual reel unit
Quick Corp 400L single reel unit
Rapid Spray 500L dual reel unit

The units are well utilised so bookings are essential. The loan period for these units is 2 weeks. Prior to collection a loan hire agreement form will need to be completed and hire fee paid (refer to Council's fees & charges).

Bookings can be made by calling Customer Service on 47839800. For more information, please contact Council and ask for a member of our Pest Management Team.

Assistance with Pest Animals
Pig Traps

Council has pig traps available for hire to landholders experiencing problems with feral pigs.

There is no charge for the loan of these units, however, prior to collection a hire agreement form will need to be completed. The loan period for these traps is 8 weeks, however, extensions can be requested.

Bookings can be made by calling Customer Service on 47839800. For more information, please contact Council and ask for a member of our Pest Management Team.

Deer Traps

Council has deer traps available for hire to landholders experiencing problems with feral deer. It is a requirement that landholders have completed training provided by Council prior to hiring the traps. There is no charge for the loan of these units, however, prior to collection a hire agreement form will need to be completed. The loan period for these traps is 8 weeks, however, extensions can be requested.

Bookings can be made by calling Customer Service on 47839800. For more information, please contact Council and ask for a member of our Pest Management Team.

1080 baiting for feral pigs and wild dogs

Council provides free 1080 (Sodium fluoroacetate) baiting services to landholders for the control and management of feral pigs and wild dogs year-round.

For feral pigs pre-baiting (free feeding) and baiting material is provided by the landowner. A minimum of five to seven days of monitoring and pre-feeding increases the probability of controlling entire mobs. 1080 poison is then applied to the feed by Council Pest Management officers following all legislative requirements.

Wild dog baiting does not require pre-feeding, however, offering two to three free feeds may increase probability of baits being taken. The baits are injected on the day of distribution by Pest Management Officers and placed strategically around the property by the landholder. Legislation concerning neighbour notifications, bait size, placement and boundary signage are to be adhered to.

For further information, please contact Council and ask to speak to a Pest Management Officer.

Dingo and Fox Bounty

Council offers a bounty for the pelt of a dingo or fox caught within the Burdekin Shire area only.

To claim the bounty, you must call Council's Customer Service Centre to book a time to surrender pelts. Council’s Pest Management Officers will then contact the landholder to arrange a time to inspect the pelts and process the claim.

To be eligible for the bounty the following apply:

Property/address description, including Lot and Plan details, where animals were caught/killed.
Scalps are to consist of a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, and running from the head, along the animal’s back and including the tail.
All scalps should be cleaned and dried prior to submission.
Scalps are not to be frozen upon submission (frozen scalps must be defrosted prior to submission).
Scalps are not to be in more than one piece or fresh – no biological fluids are to be present.
Animals killed by 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) or strychnine baiting will not be accepted due to human health concerns.
No putrefying materials will be accepted.

The claim form is available below. Please note, “Authorised Person” section is to be completed by the Pest Management Officer.

More information is available in the Fox and Wild Dog Bounty Policy.

Wild Dog Assistance Policy

Council subsidises 33% of contractor invoices, to a yearly maximum of $500, for trapping of wild dogs.

To be eligible for assistance the landholder must have a current property Biosecurity Plan Agreement and provide invoices for each control activity accompanied with a completed Refund Request form (below). Claims are to be lodged with and verified by a Council Pest Management Officer.

For more information, please see the Wild Dog Control Assistance Policy.