LHPA kangaroo zone bid successful
Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have played a crucial role in successfully applying to create a new kangaroo commercial harvest zone in NSW which will have widespread economic and environmental benefits.
The submission made by several former Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB) and the NSW Farmers Association was approved last week by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and will come into effect later this year.
The new area of approximately 70,000 square kilometres covers the former Mudgee-Merriwa, Hunter, Central Tablelands and Young RLPB districts in their entirety and parts of the former Forbes, Molong and Dubbo board districts.
It allows for the commercial harvest of eastern grey kangaroos, western grey kangaroos and wallaroos.
Andrew Mulligan, ranger with the Central North Livestock Health and Pest Authority which covers the former Mudgee-Merriwa district, said the new kangaroo commercial zone would help create local jobs, improve farming practices and protect valuable crops and pastures.
“The zone benefits local communities with new positions being created for shooters and operators of the chillers and flow-on effects for local businesses.
“It also provides more efficient options for landholders to control kangaroos by using commercial shooters and helps to reduce damage and competition on grazing areas.
“Additionally the use of trained and accredited shooters helps to discourage illegal and inhumane culling of kangaroos and increases community awareness of the commercial licence process,” Andrew Mulligan said.
The introduction of the new kangaroo commercial zone also assists in monitoring kangaroo numbers and setting quotas that ensure viable populations.
The large number of non-commercial licences issued over the past seven years and the resulting impact on kangaroo populations also demonstrates the viability of commercial kangaroo harvesting.
The new zone has received broad support from local government, NSW Farmers Association members and landholder groups throughout the area.
For further information contact the Central North, Mid Coast, Tablelands, Lachlan or Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authorities. Contact details are available at www.lhpa.org.au
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Ingham (02) 6391 3242 Mob 0428 465 378