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Victoria’S Wild Dog Management Program Reinforced

The member for Narracan, Ian Maxfield, today launched the Gippsland Wild Dog Action Plan, and announced three on-going positions to help combat the problem.

By Department of Sustainability Environment - 7th June 2005 - Back to News

Mr Maxfield today met with the Gippsland Wild Dog Management Group and landholders in Traralgon to officially launch the three-year Plan, saying it was a significant achievement by the Group.

"Wild dogs cause significant problems for farmers and the Government is working with the Management Group to reduce their impact," he said.

"The Plan is the result of widespread public consultation and advocates a balanced program of fencing, baiting, trapping and shooting to control wild dogs, as well as education and advice on best management practice."

"It’s vital a coordinated and strategic approach is undertaken to control wild dogs. Along with providing extra resources, one of our aims is to improve landholder capacity to undertake best practice livestock and land management to minimise the impact of wild dogs."

There are now 26 full time on-going positions supported by the Department of Sustainability and Environment with a focus on controlling wild dogs.

"One of the three new on-going land stewardship positions will be based in Gippsland and two in the North East," Mr Maxfield said.

These positions, which will enable improved wild dog control and broader pest management on public land, build on a successful project in 2004/05, which saw the establishment of five of these positions.

There are now 26 positions focussing on wild dog control compared to about 13 when the Bracks Government came to office.

Other measures undertaken in recent years include:

• Over 300 kilometres of wild dog fencing being constructed;
• Replacement of over 900 steel jaw leg-hold traps with rubber jaw leg-hold traps;
• Research programs on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of trapping and baiting.

Two Wild Dog Management Groups (one in Gippsland and one in the North East) were established in 2002 to provide recommendations to Government for the strategic management of wild dogs within local and regional areas of Victoria.

"The Wild Dog Management Groups represent an important communication link between individual landholders, the community and Government," Mr Maxfield said.

"The Government congratulates both Groups on the development of the Plans and on their efforts in liaising with the community to provide a coordinated approach to wild dog management."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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