National Carp Control Plan strategic assessment

Carp is one of Australia’s worst introduced pests. Studies have shown that a carp virus found overseas could help reduce carp numbers in our freshwater systems. A strategic assessment would ensure releasing the carp virus as a biological control measure doesn't also affect protected matters.

 

Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.

The National Carp Control Plan (NSW) strategic assessment on this page is inactive. The Environment minister signed an agreement, but all Australian governments need to consider the plan before progressing the strategic assessment.

The partner has no obligation to finalise the strategic assessment requirements. They may choose not to continue to seek approval for their development at any time.

Overview

Carp (Cyprinus carpio) or European carp, is one of the worst introduced pest species in Australia. It has significant negative social, environmental and economic impacts. After years of testing, Australian scientists have determined that using the naturally occurring carp virus as a biological control agent could significantly reduce the number of carp in our freshwater systems.

On 1 May 2016, the Australian Government announced that it would invest $15 million over 2.5 years to develop the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP). The plan investigated the feasibility of using the Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (carp virus) as a biological control agent.

A large amount of research was done to work out:

  • whether the carp virus would be an effective control agent
  • any potential impacts of the virus on Australian species.

The NCCP covered important questions to help governments decide whether to release the carp virus into Australian waterways.

In 2022, the Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry published the NCCP.

The NCCP said more research was needed. It also made it clear that there needed to be approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 before releasing the carp virus.

All Australian governments need to carefully consider this information before making any decision to progress the NCCP. It is expected that a decision on the future status of the NCCP will not be made for several years. If all governments then decide to go forward with the NCCP, the strategic assessment will restart after that decision.

The assessment would look at the impacts of the plan on protected matters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The strategic assessment would be undertaken according to section 146 of the EPBC Act.

Strategic assessment agreement

The strategic assessment agreement was signed on 19 January 2018.

The agreement describes the:

  • process to follow for the assessment
  • requirements under national environmental law.

Strategic assessment of the National Carp Control Plan (PDF 968.6 KB) ​
Strategic assessment of the National Carp Control Plan (DOCX 55.15 KB) ​

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.

The terms of reference for the strategic assessment report were agreed on 3 May 2018.

Terms of reference for the National Carp Control Plan strategic assessment report (PDF 84.02 KB)
Terms of reference for the National Carp Control Plan strategic assessment report (DOCX 78.84 KB)

While the former DAWR developed the plan, the assessment has not started. The Government may decide to take a different approach to regulating the Carp Control activities under the EPBC Act.

This means the strategic assessment is now inactive.

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