Steering Committee

Written by Administrator

Monday, 23 February 2009 09:47

RabbitScan – an initiative of (RMAG) the Rabbit Management Advisory Group

David Lord

RabbitScan is a 2009 project initiated by RMAG (the national Rabbit Management Advisory Group) which is a, collaborative and independent group of landholders, industry, scientific and government experts, individuals and groups who are concerned about the impacts of rabbits on both environment and productivity. The project is run by a Steering Committee, chaired by landholder and woolgrower Mr David Lord.

RMAG Objectives

General objective: To maximise the benefits of new research and development (R&D) in rabbit control for the grazing industries, agriculture and the wider community
Purpose of RMAG: The Group, instigated by MLA/AWI/IACRC provides strategic and practical advice on the planning, implementation and delivery of Rabbit R&D projects and their outcomes

Role of RMAG

Align project design and research outcomes with farming practice – making sure that findings, outcomes and recommendations are practical and appropriate
Provide strategic advice/recommendations on the relevance and alignment of projects with rural industry and environmental priorities
Assist in ensuring communication and adoption strategies for projects are appropriate for farmers, rural industry, catchment management and researcher audiences
Identify strategic links with other rural industry and environmental projects and programs
Be advocates (with support from the project team) for the projects, promoting the projects and motivating farmers, rural industry, catchment management and researcher audiences to become involved in projects and to adopt control technologies
Maintain an up to date knowledge of the projects
Help identify potential project risks at the strategic level and advise on ways to manage this risk
In consultation with AWI, MLA and IACRC research managers and providers, identify future research, development and education needs.

150 (RabbitScan) Steering Committee

Chris Lane

Purpose The 150 steering committee was established by RMAG to oversee the development, coordination and funding of a series of events during 2009 (the 150 Program) that increase understanding about the 150 year impact of rabbits and facilitate planned action against the European wild rabbit as Australia’s worst vertebrate pest.
Terms of Reference Provide a forum for the development of ideas and initiatives that will translate into a series of events to take place as the 150 Program, a nation-wide awareness program, as well as specific events to assist in the mapping of, and actions by communities in every catchment that has rabbit infested land.
Identify opportunities for involving other sponsors and relevant interested groups and individuals to contribute the success of the 150 program
Identify how best to involve expertise and resources in the relevant state government agencies and how best to use these to ensure the 150 Program is effective within the state jurisdictions
Steering Committee members are Mr David Lord, Chairman, Dr Brian Cooke, Dr David Berman, Nicholas Newland, Dr Tony Peacock, Chris Lane /Glen Saunders, coordinated by Jen Quealy, TBL Creative Partnerships

Chairman, RMAG & One Fifty Steering 150SC	Mr David Lord, Woolgrower Thackaringa via Broken Hill Mob: 0428279657	Chair of RMAG since inception; A wool producer with a track record of commitment to rabbit control and extensive background knowledge of rabbit control programs and related natural resource management issues. Successfully managed a Rabbit Control program and ripped 28,000 warrens Sought by Media as spokesperson on rabbit issues Awarded: NSW The Land Landcare Primary Producer Bronze Award Winner ‘03
Member, RMAG & 150SC	Dr Tony Peacock CEO, Invasive Animals CRC (IACRC) Ph: 02 6201 2887	Significant expertise and connection to pest animal programs and their management; Broad Australian Government, Industry and Media expertise
Member, RMAG & 150SC	Dr Brian Cooke Program Manager IACRC at the university of Canberra Research Scientist AWI Program	Significant rabbits expertise (globally recognised) in Government and Industry with over 40 years experience in rabbits research in SA plus 7 years at CSIRO
Member, RMAG & 150SC	Mr Nicholas Newland Ph: 08 8372 5430	Significant Government and NFP expertise on pest animals; past President of the Royal Geographical Society of SA, Chairman and Trustee of Canopy, Former Executive Director SA EPA, Previously Program Coordinator for the Australia and NZ Rabbit Calicivirus Disease program, Past President Rabbit Free Australia Foundation, Councillor, Nature Foundation SA, Board member, Royal Zoological Society SA
Member, RMAG & 150SC	Dr David Berman, Senior Zoologist , Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre, Biosecurity Queensland Ph: 07 4688 1294E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.dpi.qld.gov.au	Significant expertise in mapping and management systems for rabbit and other pest animals; State Government expertise; Has been researching rabbits for 24 years; heavily involved in warren ripping research in Central Australia and QLD; now works predominately on rabbits
Executive Officer, RMAG & 150SC	Mr Chris Lane, Program Coordinator, Terrestrial Products and Strategies Program Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Orange Agricultural Institute, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800 Ph: (02) 6391 3897 Fax: (02) 6391 3972 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	Contact point for the IACRC and NSW DPI Vertebrate pests Unit; Extensive experience in managing Pest Management Programs and resources; Executive Officer for the RMAG Committee
RabbitScan Project Director	Jen Quealy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ph (02) 4753 6373 Mob 0404 847 302	Contact point for RabbitScan project and for partnerships