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Board Meeting: May 2018 Agenda Number: 12 (i) Record Number: ED18/3416

LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Business Paper

OPEN SESSION

ITEM Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Progress Report RECOMMENDATION That the Board note the LHI Rodent Eradication Program (REP) update and endorse the nomination of Board member Matthew Retmock to the Rodent Eradication Project Steering Committee. BACKGROUND On 18 May 2015, after the community consultation process over late 2014 and early 2015 ending with the community survey, the LHI Board decided to proceed with the planning and approvals stage of the Program leading towards implementation of the rodent eradication plan, if the required approvals were received. The rodent eradication program has been divided into three stages: Stage One: Preliminary planning and community consultation This stage has previously been completed. It involved undertaking required initial trials including captive management and toxin resistance trials as well as initial operational planning. It included the biosecurity review and progression of biodiversity outcome monitoring. Finally it included the community consultation and engagement process and the community survey. Stage Two: Planning and Approvals This stage is now complete. The key tasks during this stage were: • Assembling key personnel to undertake the work on the next stages • Reviewing the Rodent Eradication Plan to ensure that it takes into consideration all new

information since it was drafted in 2009 • Developing individual property and livestock management plans, which inform the

eradication plan and the approval process. This involved a detailed property by property consultation with individual leaseholders and residents.

• Continue working with community to fully understand the programs objectives • Undertake any necessary studies required for the approval process, including independent

human health risk assessment • Continue the relevant baseline outcome monitoring • Further develop detailed planning and all necessary risk assessments;

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• Obtain required permits and approvals, • Update operational details; • Prepare key tender documentation

Final Go / No Go Decision The Board made the decision to proceed to implementation of the project at the Board meeting 12 Sept 2017 considering:

1. The status of key approvals 2. Safety of the environment 3. The advice of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer regarding a further independent

Human Health Risk Assessment 4. Social Acceptability 5. Budget considerations 6. Technical Feasibility 7. Steering Committee recommendation

Because of a change in approval status in November 2017, i.e. after the Board meeting, the Board has had to reconsider the timing of implementation. Stage Three: Implementation and evaluation of the eradication plan This Stage is now underway. The timing has changed because of a decision by the Board at its March 2018 meeting to defer implementation for a further year. The main reason for deferral was that the required permit from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) had not been received. Stage Three will now involve the eradication plan being implemented in winter 2019. Key elements are:

• Finalise detailed logistics and operational planning including Property Management Plans

• Assemble and train remaining resources • Capture of woodhens and currawongs • Operational readiness check • Implementation of ground and aerial baiting • Follow up monitoring and release of woodhens and currawongs • Maintaining an ongoing biosecurity and rodent detection monitoring network

CURRENT POSITION 1. Approvals

The new application for a Minor Use Permit from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) is still under assessment. On 24 April 2018, the APVMA formally requested that further information be provided in the Risk Mitigation Plan and for the Plan to be endorsed by the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The TAG was established as a condition of the approval from the Department of the Environment and Energy. The additional information needs to be submitted to the APVMA before 22 May. A decision is expected within two to three weeks of providing the information.

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2. Rodent Eradication Project Steering Committee Membership On 23 April, the Board nominated Matthew Retmock to be the Board representative on the Project Steering Committee. 3. Community Acceptability and Property Access Whilst consultation continues with the community, individual Property Management Plans cannot be finalised until the APVMA permit is received and any conditions are known. In the meantime, communication with the community continues in the following areas:

• One on one discussions regarding changes to the methodology • Weekly REP newsletters, http://lhirodenteradicationproject.org/news-updates/ videos

and Facebook communications to the community • Sharing of letters of support from tourists and science advocates • The team has also been working with lodges affected by cancellation of staff

accommodation bookings.

Ecotourism update The REP team has continued to develop the ecotourism campaign and citizen science activities offering for winter 2018. http://lhirodenteradicationproject.org/get-involved/. People already booked have been encouraged to continue to travel in 2018 regardless of the delay. As at of end of March approximately 400 visitors have booked for travel in winter 2018 using the “Protecting Paradise” booking code. Winter 2018 will be used as a trial for Winter 2019. The package is still on offer with Qantas releasing their normal winter fares in May. Local operators will receive some upskilling in interpretation and engagement through a workshop facilitated by Rod Hillman CEO of Ecotourism Australia in preparation for a more eco savvy visitor. Operators will also be updated on the various Board conservation programs. The workshop will be held on the 10 and 11 May. The Agenda is included as Attachment A. Social Science / Behavioural Change The team met with Associate Professor Rosemary Black from Charles Sturt University (Port Macquarie) in April to discuss social science collaboration opportunities. Professor Helene Marsh who is the Chair of the Federal Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) also attended the meeting. Professor Marsh was interested in helping to address social challenges and invited Andrew to present on the REP at their next meeting in June. Professor Black will prepare a proposal to be considered by the TSSC for additional funding. The team will be meeting with Associate Professor Liam Smith (BehaviourWorks Australia – Monash University) on 22 and 23 May to discuss the REP. 4. Staffing Delay of the REP until winter 2019 has the following implications on staffing:

• The project manager’s contract is currently until November 2018. This will be extended. • The assistant project manager’s visa is in place until 22 May. A visa extension is being

sought with initial steps commenced. • The GIS officer is currently seconded until the end of August 2018. Discussions are

underway with NZ Department of Conservation regarding suitable arrangements. • Technical adviser, Pete McClelland, is currently contracted until the end of August

2018. The technical adviser has indicated that he is already committed to another project in winter 2019 and will not be available.

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• Major contractors (Helicopter and Ground Baiting contractor) have expressed a desire to continue providing their services but revised contracts need to be confirmed as soon as possible.

5. Biosecurity

Dogs and handlers travelled to Port Macquarie in March to:

• Undertake ongoing proficiency assessment. All handler and dog combinations passed examination

• Inspect biosecurity measures and risks at LHI Sea Freight premises • Undertaken additional scent training on live risk species that cannot be undertaken on

LHI (i.e. snakes)

A possible detection of a rat was reported on the Island trader on 24 February. Both dogs alerted to the area separately and scat was found present. The rat was not found, however additional baiting was undertaken on the ship. Until eradication of rodents on LHI, it is important to note that the rat could have come from LHI (i.e. in waste skips). The detection teams participated in the official community opening of the new airport terminal and look forward to an improved working environment. Handlers now run a weekly “Meet the Biosecurity Dogs” talk and demonstration for visitors, which is also open to the community. 6. Operational Planning

Operational planning continues in preparation for implementation:

• Construction on the captive management facility is practically complete with Taronga Zoo signing off on the contractors’ work in mid-April. A maintenance regime will be implemented to keep the aviaries in the best possible condition for use in 2019.

• Bait storage and transport options continue to be worked through with the bait manufacturer who is currently trialing transport options.

• Bait bucket calibration trials have been rescheduled for May 2019 pending confirmation that the existing contract will be maintained.

• Field data collection system development is underway with trials expected to be rolled out in May.

• A ground baiting trial was conducted in February 2018 with the ground baiting contractor Biodiversity Restoration Specialists.

• The Island Eradication Advisory Group reviewed the latest version of the LHI REP Operational Plan at their meeting in April 2018. They will provide formal advice on managing project risks.

• The Stage 3 Business Plan has been approved by the Environmental Trust (Biodiversity and Green Corridors sub-committee) subject to the APVMA permit being received. The committee noted it was an excellent plan. A variation will need to be submitted to account for the delay.

• The project schedule has been updated to reflect the decision to delay implementation until winter 2019. The first bait drop is scheduled for 3 June 2019. See Attachment B for the detailed project schedule.

• The budget will be updated once FY2017/18 costs are known and revised quotes are received from key contractors

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RECOMMENDATION That the Board note the LHI Rodent Eradication Program (REP) update and endorse the nomination of Board member Matthew Retmock to the Rodent Eradication Project Steering Committee. Prepared: Andrew Walsh Project Manager, Rodent Eradication Project Endorsed: Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer Attachments: Attachment A: Tourism Operators Workshop agenda Attachment B: Project Schedule

Board Meeting: May 2018 Agenda Number: 12 (i) Rec No: ED18/3521 OPEN Attachment: A

Time Session Presenter9:009:30

10:0010:3011:0011:3012:0012:3013:00 REP Key Information & Updates Jaclyn Pearson13:30 Citizen Science/ Ecotourism/ Research Ian Hutton14:00 WEP Key Information & Updates Sue Bower14:30 Waste Management Key Information & Updates TBC15:00 Questions All15:30 END

Time Session Presenter9:00 Overview - Day 1 & Ecotourism Rod Hillman9:30 World Heritage Values & Biosecurity Updates Hank Bower

10:00 Marine Parks Key Information & Updates Sallyann Gudge10:30 Weather Trends for Winter 2018 Amy Debattista11:00 LHIB Projects Key Information & Updates John Teague11:30 Tourism Key Information & Updates LHITA TBC12:00 Ecotourism Information and Certification Rod Hillman12:30 Questions All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30 END

Interpretation/ Storytelling - Finalising Plans Rod Hillman

Friday 11th May

Thursday 10th May

Operators Meeting Agenda

Interpretation Training/ Storytelling Rod Hillman

LUNCH BREAK

LUNCH BREAK

ID Task Mode

Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors

1 LHI Rodent Eradication Project 912 days? Wed 14/03/18Fri 10/09/212 Phase 3 Implementation 464 days? Wed 14/03/18Mon 23/12/193 Approvals / Post Approvals 71 days? Mon 21/05/18Mon 27/08/184 APVMA 22 days? Mon 21/05/18Tue 19/06/185 Submisison of RMP 1 day? Mon 21/05/18Mon 21/05/186 APVMA Approval 21 days Tue 22/05/18 Tue 19/06/18 57 EPBC 61 days? Mon 4/06/18 Mon 27/08/188 Submission of Mitigation Plan and

Biosecurity Plan 1 day Mon 4/06/18 Mon 4/06/18

9 Approval of Plans 60 days? Tue 5/06/18 Mon 27/08/18 810 Marine Parks 61 days? Mon 4/06/18 Mon 27/08/1811 Submission of Monitoring Plan 1 day Mon 4/06/18 Mon 4/06/1812 Approval of Plan 60 days? Tue 5/06/18 Mon 27/08/18 1113 Ongoing consultation 109 days Wed 14/03/18Mon 13/08/1814 Agreed Property Management Plans 109 days Wed 14/03/18Mon 13/08/1815 Final Decision to Proceed Tue 18/09/1816 IEAG Technical Feasibility- Memo 2 wks Tue 14/08/18 Mon 27/08/18 1417 SC Recommendation 4 days Tue 28/08/18 Fri 31/08/18 1618 Final LHIB Papers Due 2 days Mon 3/09/18 Tue 4/09/18 1719 Board Meeting - Final Go / No Go

Decision 1 day Tue 18/09/18 Tue 18/09/18 6,18

20 Bait Order and Shipping 125 days Mon 26/11/18Fri 17/05/1921 Order and Manufacture 4 mons Mon 26/11/18Fri 15/03/1922 Ship to Aus 20 edays Sat 16/03/19 Fri 5/04/19 2123 Customs and Quarantine 14 days Mon 8/04/19 Thu 25/04/19 2224 Ship to LHI 3 wks Fri 26/04/19 Thu 16/05/19 2325 Target Date Bait on LHI 1 day Fri 17/05/19 Fri 17/05/19 2426 Helicopter 255 days Fri 1/06/18 Thu 23/05/1927 Revised Contract Finalised 1 day Fri 1/06/18 Fri 1/06/1828 Fuel order and delivery 2 mons Fri 29/03/19 Thu 23/05/1929 mobilisation Tas to LHI 5 days Tue 14/05/19 Mon 20/05/1930 Target Helicopters Arrive on LHI 1 day Mon 20/05/19Mon 20/05/19 2931 Recruitment 80 days Mon 28/01/19Fri 17/05/1932 Bait Station deployment crew (local) 49 days Fri 15/02/19 Wed 24/04/1933 Advertising 2 wks Fri 15/02/19 Thu 28/02/1934 Selection 2 wks Fri 1/03/19 Thu 14/03/1935 Training and Preparation 3 wks Thu 4/04/19 Wed 24/04/19 34FS+14 days36 Rest of Field crew 80 days Mon 28/01/19Fri 17/05/1937 Advertising 2 wks Mon 28/01/19Fri 8/02/1938 Selection 2 wks Tue 12/02/19 Mon 25/02/19 3739 Relocation 7 wks Mon 11/03/19Fri 26/04/19 3840 Training and Preparation 3 wks Mon 29/04/19Fri 17/05/19 3941 Captive Management 186 days? Mon 8/04/19 Mon 23/12/1942 Repairs 25 days Mon 8/04/19 Fri 10/05/19

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Project: Project_23April2018Date: Tue 24/04/18

ID Task Mode

Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors

43 Taronga Avairy Acceptance 5 days Mon 6/05/19 Fri 10/05/1944 Capture of target individuals 3 wks Fri 10/05/19 Thu 30/05/1945 Currawong captivity46 Currawong captivity (carcasses

dissappeared)66 days Fri 17/05/19 Fri 16/08/19 44SS,70FF+30

days47 Initial currawong release 2 days Mon 19/08/19Tue 20/08/19 4648 Initial Currawong Release

monitoring14 days Wed

21/08/19Mon 9/09/19 47

49 Full currawong release 5 days Tue 10/09/19 Mon 16/09/19 4850 Woodhen captivity 51 Woodhen Captivity (pellets

disappeared)141 days Fri 10/05/19 Fri 22/11/19 70FF+100 days

52 Initial Woodhen release 2 days Mon 25/11/19Tue 26/11/19 5153 Initial woodhen Release monitoring 14 days Wed

27/11/19Mon 16/12/19 52

54 Full Woodhen release 5 days Tue 17/12/19 Mon 23/12/19 5355 Livestock and Pet removal 6 days? Fri 24/05/19 Fri 31/05/1956 Dog Removal Fri 24/05/1957 Livestock removal Fri 31/05/1958 Biosecurity 1 day Wed 15/05/19Wed 15/05/1959 Teams operational Wed 15/05/1960 Bait Station Sourcing and Deployment 61 days Tue 26/02/19 Tue 21/05/1961 Purchase/make bait stations 2 mons Tue 26/02/19 Mon 22/04/1962 deployment of Bait stations (external) 1 mon Wed

24/04/19Tue 21/05/19

63 deployment of Bait stations (Internal) 2 wks Wed 8/05/19 Tue 21/05/19

64 Baiting Campaign 119 days Tue 21/05/19 Sat 2/11/1965 Preparation for Baiting inc Readiness

Check1 wk Tue 21/05/19 Mon 27/05/19 30,25,40

66 Weather forecasting 5 days Tue 21/05/19 Mon 27/05/19 65SS67 Target Aerial and Hand Broadcast 1 5 days Mon 3/06/19 Fri 7/06/1968 Last Chance Bait Drop 1 5 days Wed 31/07/19Tue 6/08/1969 Bait Stations Loading 5 days Mon 3/06/19 Fri 7/06/19 67SS70 Target Aerial and Hand Broadcast 2 5 days Mon 1/07/19 Fri 5/07/19 67FS+3 wks71 Last Chance Bait Drop 2 5 days Fri 23/08/19 Thu 29/08/19 68FS+3 wks72 Bait station monitoring and

maintenance 100 edays Mon 3/06/19 Wed 11/09/19 69SS

73 Bait Breakdown and Health Monitoring

85 days Fri 5/07/19 Sat 2/11/19

74 30 Day 30 edays Fri 5/07/19 Sun 4/08/19 7075 60 Day 30 edays Sun 4/08/19 Tue 3/09/19 7476 90 Day 30 edays Tue 3/09/19 Thu 3/10/19 7577 120 day 30 edays Thu 3/10/19 Sat 2/11/19 7678 Initial Rodent Search 21 days Mon 19/08/19Mon 16/09/19 70FS+30 days

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Project: Project_23April2018Date: Tue 24/04/18

ID Task Mode

Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors

79 Phase 4 Monitoring and Evaluation 522 days Wed 11/09/19Fri 10/09/2180 Livestock and Poultry Reintroduction 1 day Mon 28/10/19Mon 28/10/19 67FS+100 days81 Ongoing Rodent Detection 730 edays Wed 11/09/19Fri 10/09/21 7282 Ongoing Biodiversity Outcome

Monitoring 730 edays Wed

11/09/19Fri 10/09/21 72

83 Second Dog Search 20 days Mon 6/07/20 Fri 31/07/20 8184 Declaration of freedom from rodents 0 days Fri 31/07/20 Fri 31/07/20 83 31/07

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Project: Project_23April2018Date: Tue 24/04/18