Biosecurity Advisory Group meetings encourage applications

Four meetings throughout Canterbury have helped to spread the word about the proposed Biosecurity Advisory Groups and encourage community members to apply to join the groups.

The four meetings in June – held in Timaru, Tai Tapu, Ashburton and Cheviot – aimed to share proposed plans for the creation of Biosecurity Advisory Groups (formerly Pest Liaison Management Committees), seek input and encourage interested people to apply.

The meetings were well attended by people reflecting a mix of both production and biodiversity interests.

Feedback sought

Broadly speaking, feedback from the meetings indicated support for the proposed groups, with some consistent themes emerging.

These included the importance of community representation and engagement, community input into budget decisions, and the involvement of key organisations and agencies.

Feedback has been collated and will be used to inform the terms of reference for the proposed groups.

Key facts about groups

The four proposed groups (North, Central, South, and Christchurch & Banks Peninsula) will:

• provide an important interface with the community;
• provide feedback on the approach and delivery of pest management, and champion good biosecurity practices within their communities
• have 2–3 meetings per year, which are open to the public;
• be made up of a mixed membership of Environment Canterbury Councillors, District Council Councillors, Rūnanga representatives and community members; and
• remunerate their community members.