Declared Pest Rate 

Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) the State raises a Declared Pest Rate from landholders in specific areas, and matches the funds raised from the rate dollar-for-dollar. The combined funds are made available to Recognised Biosecurity Groups who provide support to landholders to manage widespread and established declared pests.

Ultimately it is the landholder’s responsibility to control declared pests on their own land (BAM Act 2007), however through a coordinated and strategic approach, greater and more sustainable results can be achieved at a region-wide scale.  The management of established pests and diseases is a shared responsibility between landholders, community, industry and government.   While individual landholders have the responsibility to control declared pests on their land, collaboration between all stakeholders can improve the effectiveness of programs to manage established pests.  The Declared Pest Rate-Recognised Biosecurity Group (DPR-RBG) model is based on a community coordinated approach and is used to effectively manage widespread and established pests.  The DPR-RBG model does not replace a landholder’s (including Local, State and Commonwealth Government land managers) obligation to control declared pests under the BAM Act. 

Funds raised from a region are spent in the region.  As a Recognised Biosecurity Group, LBG allocates these funds through an Operational Plan, revised annually and guided by community priorities. This plan outlines community identified priority declared pests for targeting through strategic initiatives, within the LBG Operational Area. LBG’s current Operational Plan can be viewed here.  The DPR is determined each year by the Minister for Agriculture after a period of community consultation. Currently in the LBG operational area, the rate applies to properties 1 hectare (1 ha) in size or above, described as urban farming on the non-rural valuation roll, and freehold land on the rural valuation roll, at the rate of $47.20 per annum for properties 1  – 10 hectares and; $62.95 per annum for properties 10 hectares and above.

Although primarily funded by the Declared Pest Rate, LBG also undertakes pest management programs funded by alternative sources.

Please click on the links below for more information about the Declared Pest Rate: 
DPIRD Declared Pest Rate Information Sheet                                      DPR Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about Recognised Biosecurity Groups:  RBG Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT DETAILS RELATED TO THE DECLARED PEST RATE

Do you have Queries regarding your DPR Invoice or Payment? – Contact WA Revenue

For issues specific to your DPR invoice, rate amount, collection or payment, please contact:
The WA Office of State Revenue 
 website:  WA Revenue DPR Payment & Queries 
   phone:  08 9262 1199 or for country callers 133 368 364   

Do you want to discuss the DPR Funding Model or related Policy? – Contact DPIRD 

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)     
website:     https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/declared-pest-rate                      e-mail:     dpr@dpird.wa.gov.au    
  phone:     1300 374 731 and choose option 9 for issues related to 
                    the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Scheme Policy or the DPR funding model
                    Callers can leave their details at this call centre and request call backs on policy matters.
                    This call centre is also equipped to manage a range of other types of calls.