Mr Helper spoke with council representatives about the war on locusts at a meeting especially convened by the Municipal Association of Victoria at Charlton earlier in the week.

“We are not waiting – we are taking action now to fight a forecast locust plague that could cost Victoria’s agriculture sector more than $2 billion if left untreated,” Mr Helper said.

“We are all partners in this war on locusts and the government is working with local councils to identify locust hatching hot spots and provide advice and assistance to mitigate this threat.

“As well as the threat to agriculture, a potential locust plague not seen since the 1930s could decimate local sporting fields and golf courses and play havoc at regional airports, so it is vital local councils are fully aware and are working together with Government on this locust fight.”

Mr Helper last month announced that $850,000 from the government’s $43.5 million war on locusts would be used to pay for chemicals the 22 affected local councils would need to spray on council-managed roads.

The funds will also employ a specialised advisor to help councils develop a coordinated response to locusts.

“More than 25,000 hectares of council land will need to be sprayed and we will cover the costs of chemicals for local government to ensure they have the resources to join this war on locusts,” Mr Helper said.

“Council efforts will combine with the efforts of public and private landholders to ensure we can best reduce the impact of locusts in Victoria.”

Mr Helper also updated council staff on the massive effort underway to train staff and inform the community of the impending locust threat.

“We have started training the 400 Department of Primary Industries staff who will need to work on this campaign through spring and into summer,” Mr Helper said.

“We have also identified 500 landholder groups and 200 agribusinesses who we will work with, engage, train, inform and support during this campaign.

“Already our community engagement staff have presented at more than 60 meetings, attended by almost 1000 people, but there is still much more to be done.”

For more information on the war on locusts go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au /locust