LHPAs join forces to review wild dog plans_Tablelands

The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are coordinating the review of the Wild Dog Management Plans for Oberon and the Shoalhaven and invite stakeholder participation. The Southern Highlands Plan was recently reviewed and has now been officially signed off by all stakeholders.

The three plans aim to manage wild dogs in Oberon, the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven areas which fall within the Cumberland and Tablelands LHPAs. These plans are reviewed every four years or as required by the relevant Plan Stakeholder Working Committee. 

Mark McGaw, Tablelands LHPA senior ranger, says the current reviews require input from a number of stakeholders within the working committee and the community to obtain the best outcomes.

"The LHPA has taken on the coordination of the reviews and we are working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forests NSW, Land and Property Management Authority, Sydney Catchment Authority and landholder representatives," said Mr McGaw.

"It is important that there is a coordinated approach to managing wild dogs, which the management plans help to achieve. Not only are we collaborating across LHPAs but we are also working with the relevant government bodies and the community.

"The review of the Shoalhaven Plan is continuing with the next meeting being held in late March 2011. The Oberon Plan expired in February 2011 and is now in the process of being reviewed prior to the next meeting in August.

"As mentioned, the Southern Highlands Plan review was completed in February 2011, and the next working group meeting will be in April 2011. Any comments relating to a plan review may be emailed to your local LHPA office."

As wild dogs are a declared pest species, their control is the responsibility of all landholders. The LHPA assists landholders to manage wild dogs through advice, supply of baits, assistance with coordinating baiting programs, involvement with other control techniques such as trapping programs and working with private landholders and agencies to develop wild dog management plans.

Mr McGaw said strategic wild dog control is best undertaken across all land tenures on a regular basis throughout the year.

"Reactive wild dog control should be considered whenever there is evidence to suggest their presence," he said.

For more information on the reviews or controlling wild dogs contact your local LHPA office.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378