Plague Locust Program Communications Framework

Communication goal

Ensure effective information sharing by undertaking planned and targeted communication to facilitate participation of all stakeholders in Plague Locust Program (PLP) preparedness and response.

Communication objectives

  • Develop awareness of PLP objectives, outcomes and benefits
  • Inform stakeholders of their responsibilities
  • Encourage timely action by stakeholders to prepare and respond to locusts

Target audience and stakeholders

Stakeholders groups include:

Locust Preparedness & Response Managers

  • Minister for Primary Industries
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries
  • NSW Farmers’ Association
  • Livestock Health and Pest Authorities 
  • Australian Plague Locust Commission

Land Managers (private and public)

  • Primary producers
  • Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPAs) - Travelling Stock Reserves
  • Department of Primary Industries (DPI) – Agricultural Stations and State Forests
  • Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) - National Parks
  • Department of Lands – Crown Lands
  • RailCorp and Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) - railway corridors
  • Local Government

Resource Managers

  • Catchment Management Authorities
  • Apiarists
  • Organic industry
  • Environmental organisations
  • Game harvesting industry
  • Nursery industry
  • Aircraft operators/contractors
  • Insecticide industry
  • Agricultural processors, including the dairy industry

Regulators

  • Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
  • Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
  • WorkCover NSW
  • Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC)

General community

  • General community
  • Processors in the agricultural value chain

Key messages

  • Locust management is primarily the responsibility of land managers.
  • Land managers need to proactively check their land for locusts and report any signs to their local LHPA so that plans can be developed to control locusts.
  • Timely ground control by land managers is critical as aerial control may not be feasible.
  • It is a requirement under the Rural Lands Protection Act for land managers to report and control locusts.  Land managers breaching these requirements may be prosecuted.
  • Ground control of concentrated locust hopper bands is crucial for an effective and efficient control program.  Flying locusts are difficult and much more costly to control; they can also lay eggs and generate more locusts.
  • Adequate insecticides are on hand to control locusts and will be available to land managers through their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority. 
  • Locust control will be conducted in a safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. Metarhizium, a fungal insecticide, will be used to control locusts in environmentally sensitive areas.
  • NSW DPI, LHPAs, NSW Farmers’ Association and the Australian Plague Locust Commission jointly develop preparedness and response plans for a coordinated approach to locust control.

Communication methods

Prior to each locust season a Communications Plan will be developed describing the objectives, key messages, key spokespeople, timing, activities, target audiences and stakeholders, budget & resources for the season.

A range of communication methods may be used, including:  media releases, media interviews, advertising materials, mail outs, email, internal communication, brochures, posters, community meetings, field days, websites, situation reports, update bulletins, stakeholder meetings and hotline number.

Communications for each season will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness and how to improve them for future seasons.

Budget and resources

Budget and resources for communications will be set out in a Communications Plan, which will be part of the annual Response Plan developed for each locust season and endorsed by the PLMG.

Accountabilities

The Plague Locust Management Group (PLMG) is responsible for ensuring that the goals of the Plague Locust Program (PLP) are communicated to stakeholders and the community.

Communications will be coordinated by NSW DPI with NSW Farmers’ Association, Livestock Health and Pest Authorities and the Australian Plague Locust Commission.

NSW DPI will liaise with the Australian Plague Locust Commission to ensure coordinated cross-jurisdiction communications.

Each partner organisation is responsible for communication within their organisation and ensuring all in the organisation follow this strategy and the PLP Communications Plan developed for each season.

Land managers are responsible for communicating the presence of locusts to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority.