Rain has allowed the Hudson Pear to spread further than ever, killing whatever lays in its wake. Red fire ants are marching down from Queensland, and native birds are at the mercy of surging feral cat populations. The effects of invasive species are rife across the Western Plains. 

For those on the frontline of pest management, it might be unsurprising - but disappointing - that the number of introduced plant species has overtaken native species in Australia. 

The numbers are a liability to the Australian government’s ‘Toward Zero Extinctions’ plan. 

“Over 80 per cent of Australia’s mammal extinctions were caused by invasive species, and invasive species are likely to be a primary driver of 85 per cent of the next round of predicted vertebrate extinctions over the next 20 years,” Invasive Species Council analyst Lyall Greive said. 

Under the Towards Zero Extinctions plan, the reduction of invasive species impact includes feral cat and fox management, reducing the spread of some invasive plants, and reducing the establishment of more introduced species. 

In the Western Plains, controlling the common carp, European red fox, feral cat, feral pig, unmanaged rangeland goat, wild horse, wild rabbit, and wild dogs are prioritised with the Local Land Services pest management plan. 

According to the Invasive Species Council, actively reducing introduced species is just as important as protecting native species. 

“If we are to genuinely protect and restore our native wildlife and ecosystems, then stopping the next wave of invasive species driven extinctions must be a priority. That will take focus and serious new funding,” Mr Grieve said. 

“Australia has demonstrated success with island eradications, including the recent eradication of black rats on Lord Howe Island,” he said. 

Mr Grieve said that threats that aren’t related to industry - such as Varroa mite or foot-and-mouth disease - aren’t taken as serious biosecurity issues in Australia. 

“The reform and investment task is urgent. Business as usual will lead to escalating costs from invasive species to our environment, economy and way of life.”

Across the world, the cost to the global economy from invasive species has quadrupled every decade since 1970, and is currently costing the world $423 billion per year, according to research from United Nations.