About

The Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc (MRBA) is an industry body with a membership of all pastoralists in the Shires of Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Cue, and Meekatharra.

There are also a small number of pastoral properties in the northern sections of Mount Marshall and Perenjori Shires that are members of the MRBA.

The Association has been established under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 with a charter to manage and control declared pests, both animal and plant.

The MRBA is an incorporated body set up in accordance with the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act 2015.

The constitution of the MRBA provides for a Management Committee, of up to eleven members, with responsibility for overseeing the operation of the Association.

MRBA operations are funded from annual declared pest rates paid by pastoralists which are matched by the State Government and also one off grants from State and Federal NRM programs, Royalties for Regions and other sources.

The MRBA area covers approximately 184,000 square kilometres and incorporates 93 pastoral properties. Of these 93 pastoral properties, there is a mix of tenure ranging from pastoral lease, to mining leases, unallocated crown land (UCL), national reserve and indigenous managed pastoral leases.

The operations of the MRBA are overseen by a Committee of Management. There are eleven Committee Members who are elected at the AGM on a rolling basis for a period of three years.  Committee members work in a voluntary capacity without remuneration.

Committee members elect from amongst themselves a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and a Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer receives an annual allowance  to cover expenses.  The MRBA has a part time Executive Officer who is appointed by the Committee and works on a contract basis.

The Committee of Management strives to:

• Provide an efficient and cost effective service for the benefit of Members.
• Be responsive to the needs of Members, government agencies and Rangelands communities.
• Provide avenues of participation and be accessible to Members, government agencies and Rangelands communities. To communicate regularly with Members.
• Act with integrity and in a financially responsible, sustainable manner in the interests of Members.
• Make decisions on behalf of Members in an open and accountable way.

MRBA declared pest operations focus on three key areas being wild dogs, large feral herbivores and weeds with the goal being :

• To encourage and assist landholders in the control of wild dogs using best practise procedures with the aim being to reduce the level of predation to that which maintains biodiversity and ensures the viability of livestock production throughout the MRBA area.
• To work with government agencies in the control of large feral herbivores in the northern and central section of the MRBA area with the aim being to reduce total grazing pressure and enhance livestock production.
• To seek additional funding, by way of grants and other opportunities, to treat declared weed infestations on pastoral leases within the MRBA area with the aim being to protect biodiversity and the environment generally.