Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is relieved that common sense has prevailed with the continuation of the wild dog control program.
He paid tribute to the thousands who signed the petitions, advocated and reported attacks, attended public meetings and shared their stories.
“This news will come as a big relief to livestock farmers across the region and while there are changes to the program, including the cancellation of the wild dog bounty, the retention of the unprotection order is critical and a win for the farming community.
“This order allows for the control of wild dogs in a three-kilometre buffer zone of Crown Land around private property,” Mr Bull said.
“Opponents who sought to put an end to this clearly have no knowledge of either the impact or best methods to stop dogs from killing stock. They simply argued for better fencing and the fact that no controls should take place on Crown Land.
“What they fail to grasp is, fencing is one tool but cannot be relied on alone. The government only allows clearing of one metre adjacent to fence lines, meaning they are constantly brought down by falling trees. In the last lot of storms, we saw hundreds of branches compromise fences. Wombats and sambar deer also cause significant damage.
“These same people who want to only rely on exclusion fencing would be screaming blue murder if the Department allowed clearing of a tree length around their private property – you cannot have it both ways.
“Apart from being able to stop dogs getting on to private land, it is also impossible to control them when they do. Farmers cannot set traps in open paddocks where livestock are running, so their only chance of control is to be there in the right paddock at 3am when the dogs attack – it is simply not feasible.
“The controls have to be on the tracks and trails the dogs use in the bush adjacent to private land. Every farmer and dogger will tell you that. You will never get them all, but the controls keep our farmers viable.
“The opponents also get hung up on whether they are dingoes or wild dogs. The majority of farmers will tell you they don’t care – they are dogs that kill their stock, there’s lots of them and some need to be controlled, while they are happy for the bigger population to thrive in the wider bush. The argument they are under threat is just ridiculous.
“I am pleased the Minister has listened to common sense and left this program unchanged. We need to continue supporting our primary producers.”
Mr Bull said he and landholders had raised several flaws in the departments data when presented at recent public meetings.
“This is a win for now, but we can’t become complacent. Farmers must continue to report stock deaths and dog sightings. It is clear many thought this was a waste of time, but when this program is reconsidered in 2028, we will need this.
“I urge primary producers to keep supplying this data to the Department of Agriculture.”

Monday, 30 September 2024