Southern Biosecurity Group

14/04/2026

🚨 WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE – LIVESTOCK ATTACK 🚨

🐑 PROTECT YOUR LIVESTOCK – ACT NOW

Recent changes are making it harder to access key areas for pest control — and delays are costing landholders real losses.

The image in this post shows the reality of what foxes and wild dogs can do.
👉 This is preventable.

As highlighted in our latest flyer , having a Restricted Chemical Permit (RCP) in place is the difference between:

✔ Rapid response (24–48 hours)
✔ Immediate baiting & trapping
✔ Protecting your livestock

OR

✖ Waiting up to 6 weeks for approval
✖ Missing the response window
✖ Preventable stock losses

💡 If you don’t have an RCP in place — you are already at risk.

🤝 SBG CAN HELP

The Southern Biosecurity Group can assist with:

RCP applications
Permit-related costs (case-by-case)
Coordinated baiting programs

📞 Don’t wait until it’s too late
Contact Michelle Grobler
📧 [email protected]

👉 Please share to help protect our local livestock industry.

13/04/2026

🌿 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – W**D TECHNICIAN 🌿
📍 Ravensthorpe Region | Southern Biosecurity Group

The Southern Biosecurity Group (SBG) is seeking a licensed w**d control contractor to support our w**d control programs across the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a coordinated, landscape-scale biosecurity program working across diverse environments including bushland, reserves, and road verges.

🔎 Target Species:
Bridal Creeper
Apple of S***m
Cacti (Opuntia species)

🛠️ Scope includes:
Chemical control (foliar, basal bark, cut-stump)
Manual/mechanical control
Follow-up treatments & monitoring
Working alongside existing SBG programs

📅 Program Timing:
Start: May2026
Duration: Autumn/Winter season (approx. April–August)
Flexible scheduling depending on conditions

✅ Requirements:
Current WA Commercial Operator Licence (pesticides)
Proven w**d control experience
Ability to work in regional/remote areas
Appropriate insurances
Own equipment & strong reporting capability

📩 Apply Now:
Send your Expression of Interest to:
📧 [email protected]

⏰ Closing Date: 24 April 2026 @ 4pm

📌 For full details or enquiries, contact Michelle Grobler (Executive Officer)

15/03/2026

🦊 Community Fox Shoot – Let’s Protect Our Native Wildlife 🌿

Foxes are one of the greatest threats to Australia’s native wildlife. Each year they kill millions of small mammals, reptiles and ground-nesting birds across the country.

Following recent bushfires in our region, many native animals are now confined to small unburnt areas, making them even more vulnerable to fox predation. Active fox control is one of the most effective ways we can help our wildlife recover.

The Community Fox Shoot is a great opportunity for landholders and community members to work together to reduce fox numbers across our landscape.

📅 27 & 28 March 2026
📍 Ravensthorpe Shire

The event will be followed by a fox count and community lunch at the Hopetoun Clay Target Club from 3pm on Sunday.

This is not just about pest control — it’s about protecting our unique native animals and supporting biodiversity across our region.

📞 Register or find out more:
Bernie Biddulph – 0429 381 236

Let’s work together to give our wildlife a fighting chance

08/03/2026

Mid-Year Update 🐾🌱

Over the past six months we’ve continued pest control work across the Shire of Ravensthorpe to help protect local farms, native wildlife and community spaces.

🐕 Wild Dogs – Year-round monitoring, baiting and trapping continues in areas where activity has been reported, working closely with local landholders.

🦊 Foxes – Spring baiting programs at Cheadanup and Long Creek Reserves deployed over 200 baits, with monitoring showing lower fox activity than previous years. Autumn fox control is planned for April–May.

Following the Fitzgerald River fires, we’re also working with DBCA to target foxes in unburnt refuge areas where wildlife is currently concentrated.

🐇 Rabbits – An RHDV release program was completed across Hopetoun, Krystal Park, Jerdacuttup and Ravensthorpe, with follow-up control planned April–June (weather dependent). Additional releases are also being planned in unburnt areas after the fires to protect recovering vegetation.

📍 Seen rabbits, foxes, wild dogs or cactus on your property?
Let us know so we can target control programs.

📧 [email protected]

Working together to protect our landscape.

08/03/2026

🌵 Oldfield River Cactus Control Project Completed 🌵

The Southern Biosecurity Group would like to advise the community that the Oldfield River Cactus Control Project has now been finalised.

This project focused on controlling and reducing populations of Opuntia monacantha (Drooping Prickly Pear) within the Oldfield River corridor to help protect native ecosystems, livestock, and recreational areas.

While the project has concluded, ongoing vigilance from the community remains essential in preventing the spread of this invasive cactus.

📍 Have you seen Prickly Pear in the Ravensthorpe Shire?
If you notice any Opuntia (Prickly Pear) on your property or in public areas, please let us know.

👉 Report sightings through our website:
www.southernbiosecuritygroup.org

Providing a location and photo (if possible) helps us respond quickly and keep infestations under control.

Thank you to everyone who supported this project and helped protect our local environment.

26/02/2026

🐰 Do You Have a Rabbit Issue on Your Property? 🐰

The Southern Biosecurity Group is currently gathering information on rabbit populations across the Ravensthorpe Shire.

If you’re noticing increased rabbit activity on your property — burrows, grazing damage, warrens, or general numbers rising — we’d really appreciate your input. This information will help us better understand local distribution and plan coordinated control activities where needed.

📩 Please email your details to:
[email protected]

Subject line: Rabbit location

When emailing, please include:
• Your property location (general area is fine)
• Approximate rabbit numbers or level of activity
• Any control measures currently in place (if applicable)

Your feedback is important in helping us coordinate effective management across the Shire.

Thank you for supporting proactive biosecurity in our community.

31/10/2025

📢 Southern Biosecurity Group Annual Report 2024–2025 Now Available! 🌿

Our Annual Report for 2024–2025 is now live and available to view on our website!
It highlights this year’s key achievements, control programs, and ongoing efforts to protect our local environment and support landholders across the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

💬 We also invite all landholders to take part in our Annual Landholder Survey — your feedback helps guide our future priorities and improve local biosecurity outcomes.

👉 Visit our website to:
🔹 Read the Annual Report
🔹 Complete the Landholder Survey

🌐 https://southernbiosecuritygroup.org.au/

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our region pest-free and thriving! 💚

Southern Biosecurity Group, Executive Officer   [email protected]   0484 932 447   Follow us on Facebook for exciting updates

26/05/2025

🌵 PROJECT UPDATE: Cactus Control in the Oldfield River 🌵

We’re making great strides in our mission to eradicate Opuntia Monocantha from the Oldfield River! 💪

From February to May, our dedicated team covered 40 hectares of challenging terrain using manual removal and Cochineal biocontrol. We’re excited to report that only small seedlings were found—a strong sign that earlier control work has been effective. 🙌

🦠 The Cochineal continues to prove its power, successfully treating nearly 100% of previously infested plants. All manually removed cacti were collected to feed our Cochineal nursery, helping fuel the next phase of control efforts.

🌊 While recent flooding delayed some planned photopoint monitoring, we’re confident the river’s natural choke point has once again prevented further spread. Monitoring is ongoing to confirm the infestation hasn’t moved south of Coxal Road.

This project is part of our commitment to long-term, sustainable w**d control in our region. Stay tuned for more updates!

23/03/2025

🦊📖 The Pesty Guide for Foxes – Available Now! 📖🦊

Need help managing foxes on your property? The Southern Biosecurity Group is here to help! We’ve put together "The Pesty Guide for Foxes", a practical resource to assist landholders with effective fox control on privately owned properties.

📌 What's inside?
✅ Proven control methods
✅ Best timing for action
✅ Tips for long-term management

Download the guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JA_J-mfhObuiNtSg-ZBL8-UjwlqbhkRH/view?usp=drive_link and take the next step in protecting your land from rabbit damage.

For more information, feel free to reach out to us!

23/03/2025

🚨 Reminder for Shire of Ravensthorpe Residents! 🚨

Our Autumn Fox Baiting Program will begin tomorrow, 24th March 2025, in the Cheadanup and Long Creek Reserves.

⚠️ Please take precautions:
🔹 1080 baits will be in use – these are lethal to domestic dogs.
🔹 Avoid these areas and keep pets safe.
🔹 Baiting will be carried out under strict guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us protect local wildlife and livestock. If you have any concerns or need more information, please contact the Southern Biosecurity Group ([email protected])

18/03/2025

🐇📖 The Pesty Guide for Rabbits – Now Available! 📖🐇

Are rabbits causing problems on your property? The Southern Biosecurity Group is here to help! We’ve put together "The Pesty Guide for Rabbits", a practical resource to assist landholders with effective rabbit control on privately owned properties.

📌 What's inside?
✅ Proven control methods
✅ Best timing for action
✅ Tips for long-term management

Download the guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZPJsfDB1osM9Nl9zgUj7bwCha201Dnt2/view?usp=drive_link
and take the next step in protecting your land from rabbit damage.

For more information, feel free to reach out to us!