New plan to ensure continued wild dog success
Following its unprecedented success in reducing the impact of wild dogs on agriculture in the region, the Brindabella and Wee Jasper Cooperative Wild Dog Management Plan will be resigned for another five-year period on 22 June.
The new contract has brought together a broader range of land managers and stakeholders which will more equitably share the cost of wild dog and fox control in the 150,000 hectare plan area. Joining the Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Forests NSW, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water’s Parks and Wildlife Group, the Land and Property Management Authority and local landholders are new partners including ACT Parks, Conservation and Lands, Willmott Forests and Hume Forests.
Tablelands LHPA ranger in Yass, Chris Harris says that as well as including new partners, the 2010-15 contract allows funding for a full-time trapper to carry out a proactive, systematic control program, as well as reactive wild dog trapping in response to any reported activity.
"Landholders will benefit from the permanent employment of experienced trapper Bill Morris who has worked in this area in excess of 30 years," Mr Harris said.
"A contingency fund has also been included in the new plan – these funds will enable the Tablelands LHPA to attain the services of a contract trapper in periods of high stock losses or numerous wild dog attacks to assist the permanent trapper."
The innovative plan works across all land tenures and attempts to stop wild dogs from entering grazing lands by creating a buffer zone within adjoining bushland areas. In recent years the plan has achieved a dramatic reduction in stock losses and wild dog activity due to the vigilance of all parties involved, particularly local landholders.
The Brindabella and Wee Jasper cooperative wild dog/fox plan was first trialled in 2001-02 after a period of years of high stock losses in the Wee Jasper and Brindabella areas. It was the first integrated wild dog management plan using the nil-tenure approach.
The success of the trial program in reducing stock losses resulted in the formation of the plan (2002-05) and a contract was signed between the former Yass Rural Lands Protection Board, Forests NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Under the initial plan, attacks on stock decreased by an average of 75% per year. In 2005 the original contract was renegotiated to continue until 2010.
The Brindabella Wee Jasper plan has been adopted across NSW as a model plan for wild dog and fox control.
Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378