The Member for Monaro John Barilaro today said proposed changes by the Local Land Services (LLS) to the management of wild dogs across the Monaro and south east region are unacceptable.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“The prevalence of wild dogs in NSW, particularly in our region, is a serious issue that cannot be treated lightly,” Mr Barilaro said.
“From the day I was elected, I have spoken on this issue to local farmers, land owners, wild dog management groups, and I have even spent a day out in the Badja with a trapper.
“The response by Local Land Services to changes initiated by NPWS was poor and is not acceptable to me, as the Local Member, or acceptable to the NSW Government.”
Mr Barilaro said LLS will ramp up active trapping operations across the south east region, not scale them down.
“Wild dogs have a destructive and devastating effect on local farmers, their production and their business,” he said.
“Following the announcement by LLS that they would step back from wild dog management, the NSW Government has intervened. I can announce today that the proposal put forward by LLS will not go ahead.”
Mr Barilaro said LLS will continue to employ six Pest Animal Controllers to continue trapping wild dogs in the south east. Additionally, private operators contracted by NPWS will work alongside the LLS Pest Animal Controllers, and the Minister for Lands and Forestry Paul Toole has also announced funding for an additional trapping role. As a result, landholders will see a significant increase of wild dog controllers on the ground.
“There will be a shift towards proactive tracking, and LLS will work with landholders in coming weeks to ensure these trapping operations are targeted at the areas where wild dog problems are the worst,” he said.
“Wild dogs are an issue that I am taking seriously, and an issue that the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is taking seriously.”
The NSW Government will appoint a regional wild dog coordinator-general to oversee wild dog operations in the region. Under a new interim nil-tenure approach, this coordinator-general will have the authority to direct any government agency on wild dog management and will be the chief point of contact for these agencies.
“From here, LLS will coordinate a 10-day destruction blitz in the south east and adjoining regions during August-September. On a monthly basis, the LLS will report directly to the Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair and myself until we are confident things are working as they should,” Mr Barilaro said.
