Gold Coasters are being urged to be on the lookout for some of the region's 'most wanted' environmental villains who pose a risk to native flora and fauna.
Mayor Tom Tate said the City is committed to ensuring pests which are impacting native animals and plants are controlled or removed.
"Invasive pests can devastate our natural environment, so it is vital we work to stamp out these destructive species," Mayor Tom Tate said.
"We are asking the public to help us by letting us know if they see any of our 'most wanted' pests or any other invasive species.
"Pest control is everyone's obligation and we are all expected to minimise the risk associated with pest animals and plants in our control."
Pests we are urging the public to be on the lookout for include feral deer who damage bushland and can cause vehicles collisions; fire ants which pose a danger to our beaches, parks and other public spaces; and the telegraph weed which form dense infestations on our sand dunes threatening native vegetation.
Other pests species to be watchful for include the red eared slider turtle which outcompetes native animals for food; the Mexican bean tree which threatens to outcompete native species and replace the food source for native animals; and the honey locust which forms in dense thickets, outcompeting natives species and its thick thorns can injure animals and people.
Prevention and early detection is the best way to reduce the impact of an invasive species.
Once an invasive species becomes established and widespread, it can become impossible to eradicate or contain it without significant investment and biological control.
The City's aim is to control invasive species numbers, like feral deer, to ensure they are at a manageable level.
The 6 'most wanted' pests are all listed under the City's Biosecurity Management Plan which focuses on managing risk when it comes to invasive animals and plants.
Managing pests also contributes to achieving the City's Our Natural City Strategy 2032.
Notify us of if you see any of these most wanted pest species near you via Report a Problem.
