Weeds, pest animals and diseases are key threats to our natural resources due to the harm they cause to native species and habitats, and primary production industries. They are also significant and costly management challenges. Weeds are estimated to cost Australian primary industries over $4 billion each year in lost production and management effort. The impacts of pest animals are estimated to cost about $740 million each year.
It is rarely possible to eradicate pest animals or weeds once they are established. Natural resource managers strategically target weeds and pest animals to maximise the benefits for the economy and the environment.
The most effective management strategy, and a key priority of state and regional natural resource managers, is to prevent additional introduced species from becoming established.