The Victorian Coalition Government has established a new advisory committee on wild dogs to give local community groups more input into control measures.
It is the latest in a series of measures this Government has introduced to combat the problem, including:

 The extension of 72 hour trap checking (which was to become 24hrs) to allow doggers more flexibility to carry out their work.  The announcement that the aerial baiting trial will commence this autumn.  The introduction last weekend of a new wild dog and fox bounty.  A commitment to review (currently underway) trap sizes and changes to the presently restrictive 3km buffer zone around private freehold for dog control actions.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the new group has been put in place to provide the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with valuable localised advice and input on wild dog control measures.

“The problem is ongoing and in recent weeks we have seen attacks continue, but with the new measures in place we will hopefully see the tide start to turn.”

Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh, said the changes deliver on the Victorian Coalition Government’s promise to reinvigorate the wild dog management committees.

“The new statewide committee replaces the Gippsland and North East Wild Dog Management Groups and will be supported by a number of local, community-led wild dog control groups.”

The committee is chaired by former Biosecurity Victoria executive director Peter Bailey and includes affected landholders from the North East, Gippsland and North West of Victoria.

The committee also includes representatives from the Victorian Farmers Federation, catchment management authorities, the forestry plantation industry, DPI, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria.

Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries, Bill Sykes, said the new committee would be charged with reviewing the effectiveness of wild dog control programs in Victoria and adopting national best practice.

“Since the election we have been consulting with landowners and farm groups on what practical changes can be made to reduce wild dog predation,” Dr Sykes said.

“We are also reviewing trap sizes and changes to the restrictive three kilometre buffer zone.”

Mr Walsh thanked the Gippsland and North East Wild Dog Management Groups for their efforts over the past nine years to better manage wild dogs in their regions.