The Great Lakes Wild Dog Control Group is calling for more community involvement in the region to control and remove wild dogs which are having an impact on livestock and native species.
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Collection points and training sessions will be held at Bulahdelah, Stroud, Bunyah and Nabiac in coming weeks and nominations are also being sought from the Stroud, Nabiac and the Wallamba catchment area to join the strategic planning group, to be the “eyes and ears” in the local community.
Great Lakes (GL) Wild Dog Control Group co-ordinator, Art Brown said the recently completed wild dog management plan for the district outlined strategic ways to combat wild dogs.
“The new plan addresses increasing reports of wild dog sightings, harassments and predation across the Great Lakes district,” Mr Brown said.
“The plan has been built on the experiences and learnings from land managers and promotes a community wide cooperative approach as the long term solution for tackling problems associated with wild dogs.”
According to the group, wild dog management in the area is no different to other regions and districts throughout NSW.
“Over the last few years we have seen wholesale reform: a legislative and operational upheaval of shared responsibility and no longer a need to specifically declare particular pest animal species in legislation, all of which provides a platform for significant change in our approach," Mr Brown said.
“The underlying philosophy of the changed legislation is an outcome-focused biosecurity duty that places the onus on land managers, both private and public, to do what is reasonably expected to minimise the impact of wild dogs on their land and that of their neighbours.”
Representatives from Hunter Local Land Services, National Parks, State Forests, MidCoast Council, Karuah – Great Lakes Landcare and private land managers have formulated the Great Lakes wild dog management plan and strategic planning group.
The Great Lakes Wild Dog Control Group held its inaugural autumn planning meeting in late February, endorsing four key strategic initiatives for the 2019-2020 period.
These include:
- Build Community Engagement – everyone needs to be involved in reducing wild dog problems in the district – even those not directly affected need to be part of the solution.
- Build Capability- run five wild dog trapping courses during winter- more balanced tool-box.
- Informed Community- neighbours talking to each other – prompt reporting of sightings, harassments and predation.
- Broaden the focus - include foxes, feral pigs and feral cats.
“Three years ago we adopted a proactive approach to wild dog management in the Bulahdelah area,” Mr Brown said.
“We are seeking land manager support for our upcoming autumn ground baiting program; including expressions of interest from landholders wishing to attend our trapping schools.”
Bait collection and training points:
- Sunday March 17 at Bulahdelah Showground: bait pick up at 1pm; 1080 course at 2pm
- Friday March 22 at Stroud Showground: bait pick up at 11am; 1080 course at noon
- Friday March 29 at Bunyah Hall: bait pick up at 9am; 1080 course at 10am
- Friday April 5 at Nabiac Showground: bait pick up at 9am; 1080 course at 10am
For more information, or to register your interest please contact:
Art Brown on 0400 136 544 or artbrown658@gmail.com; Laurie Mullen (senior biosecurity officer HLLS) 0407 785 007 or laurie.mullen@lls.nsw.gov.au; Kirstin Bisley (biosecurity officer HLLS) 0438 593 875 or kirstin.bisley@lls.nsw.gov.au
