An integrated control program is the most effective way to control vertebrate pests e.g. Wild dogs. Foxes, Feral cats, Rabbits, and Feral pigs. Methods like trapping, exclusion fencing, shooting, habitat modification and baiting are more effective when used together as part of a program that includes monitoring and knowing the habits of the species you are trying to control.
A person may be able to apply for a 1080 license to purchase, store, apply or dispose of baits containing 1080 solutions. To determine suitability or apply for license please visit Queensland Health.
To support landholders, Isaac Regional Council undertakes a 1080 Bait Supply Program on their behalf.
Baiting is undertaken for a period of four week in March/April and August/September to coincide with the increase in wild dog activity at mating and whelping times. The specific dates for these periods are advertised broadly by public notice and more directly via email to existing baiting properties. If you wish to be added to the notification email, then contact the Council on 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227) or at records@isaac.qld.gov.au.
The landowner or an Authorized person must supply their own meat in sealable containers for the Council officers to inject. The Queensland Government is no longer providing plastic bags for injected meat, so landowners/authorised persons must bring their own leak proof bags or containers with lids. The injected meat is only given to landowner or authorized person to distribute the baits on their land after they had signed the Deed pole.
An authorized person is a person appointed by the landowner on an ‘Authority for Agent to Sign’ form signed by a landowner. If you are planning to have another person collect and/or distribute baits on your behalf on the day, (i.e. someone other than a landowner) this person must be 18 years and over.
Authority forms will only be valid for 2 years from date of signage or upon staff changes as well as ownership of property changes. If no forms have been received by Council before the program or handed onto the authorised officer on the day of baiting, baits will not be distributed.
A Deed Poll must be completed at the bait station on the day of collection and a copy is provided to the landowner or authorised person (see Authority for Agent to Sign). The conditions on the Deed Poll must be complied with including any additional conditions added by Council Officers. These conditions ensure the risk to people and off target species is sufficiently minimised.
The size of meat supplied for dog baits should be 250g each and pig baits should be 500g each and be in roughly equal dimension i.e. cube or sphere. Bait containing skin and bone will not be injected.
The following conditions must be followed when using 1080 baits:
A - Neighbor Notification:
- Notification should be in writing and must be given to all adjoining landowners at least 72 Hours in advance of baiting.
- Record of notifications must be kept for at least 2 years.
- Baiting must commence within 10 days of notifications. Notification must specify the dates between which baiting will occur.
- Neighbour's must be notifying to allow them to take appropriate action. (e.g., restrain, muzzling)
B - Distance Requirements:
- Baits are only to be laid on land describe in the agreement (Deed pole).
- No baits are to be lain on any Stock route or Reserve for traveling stock without Local Government approval.
- No baits to be laid within 5 meters from boundary fence.
- No baits to be laid within 50 meters from center line of declared road.
- No baits to be laid within 20 meters from any water bodies.
- Owners may only lay baits within 150 meters of any habitation includes schools, dwellings, after they have provided 72 hours of written notification.
C - Signage:
- Signage provided by Council is compulsory for a land on which baiting occurs. (Do not lay baits until signage is in place.)
- Signs must be placed at all entrances to land and at the extremities of land boundaries even if the adjoining property is carrying out 1080 baiting.
- Notices must remain for at least 4 weeks after authorized period of bait laying has expired.
D - Bait Retrieval:
- Where possible, untaken baits should be removed after 7 days, or at the completion of the Authorized period of baits lay.
E - Storage:
- Fresh baits must not be stored for future use.
- Manufactured baits may only be stored for duration of authorized period as prescribed in the Deed Poll.
- Only authorized persons can have access to baits
- Baits must be transported and stored in such a way that unauthorized persons cannot have access to baits.
- Never transport baits inside cab of vehicle.
- Store bait in a position that is inaccessible to children, livestock, and domestic animals.
- Store in a secure double locked facility on land.
- Safe storage is the responsibility of all persons who are supplied with baits.
For more information regarding directions to use baits please contact the Isaac Regional Council at 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227) or to learn about Sodium fluoroacetate poisoning click next.
As Isaac Regional Council is authorised government agency to undertake the injection and application of Sodium fluoroacetate in its local government area, there may be a perceived conflict of interest of third party complaints regarding the misuse of 1080 as a result of council’s 1080 baiting program and/or the provision of 1080 baits by council to landholders. Not all baiting is undertaken by Council in Isaac and baiting may be undertaken by licensed contractors or licensed property owners.
Queensland Health is the responsible agency to investigate the potential misuse of 1080 either by Council Officers or the community. All complaints regarding 1080 misuse should be made to the Mackay Public Health Unit on (07) 4885 5800.
If you or someone you know may have been exposed to Sodium fluoroacetate via physical contact or ingestion, call the emergency number 000.
To find out more information about Sodium fluoroacetate in humans call the poisons information centre on 13 11 26.