Reducing the impact of wild dogs on private land is of paramount importance, which is why the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is holding a number of workshops for community members to find out how to control wild dogs locally.
DELWP is also partnering with Gallagher Australia Pty Ltd, a rural fencing company, to run 14 Wild Dog Management Zone (WDMZ) community workshops and 6 drop-in sessions across Gippsland and north east Victoria commencing on Monday, 10 March.
Gallagher will be providing information and advice on suitable fencing options for the management of wild dogs and other invasive pest animals in fire affected areas of East Gippsland.
DELWP Manager for State-wide Invasive Species Program Peter Austin said: “We know there will have been significant impact on ground-baiting, trapping and fencing in some areas due to the recent bushfires.
“The workshops and drop-in sessions are an opportunity for the community to inform us of any problems that are occurring and also have input into the way wild dogs are controlled locally. There will also be a focus on wild dog activity and management during the past year and what is being planned for 2020/21.
“Reducing the impact of wild dogs can be achieved by all land managers working together using a combination of trapping, baiting, shooting, exclusion fencing and good animal husbandry.
“We are looking forward to meeting community members in the coming weeks,” Mr Austin said.
Local landowners who are interested can also come to find out more about joining an existing Community Wild Dog Control Group that links up with others in their area and increase the effectiveness of their own wild dog control.
The wild dog workshops include a formal presentation and although the drop-in sessions will not have a formal presentation, it is a chance for people to chat one-on-one with members of the local wild dog team.
For further information about the workshops in the north east contact John Turnbull at the Wodonga Office on 0438 345 326 and in Gippsland Vaughn Kingston at the Bairnsdale office on 0427 554 219.
WDMZ Community Workshop and Drop-in Schedule 2020
North East Victoria
WDMZ | Date | Venue | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Burroweye, Granya, Corryong, Tallamgatta | Tuesday, | Shelley Forest Camp, 33 Avondale Road, Koetong | 10am to 12.30pm |
Mansfield | Wednesday, | Merrijig Hall, 1 Alpha St, Merrijig | 7.45am to 10.30am |
Whitfield | Wednesday, | Cheshunt Hall, 454 King Valley Road, Cheshunt | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
Ovens | Thursday, | Mudgegonga Hall, 1395 Myrtleford – Yackandandah Road, Mudgegonga | 10am to 12pm |
Alexandra | Tuesday, | Taggerty Hall, 5 Taggerty Road, Taggerty (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |
Mitta Mitta, Sandy Creek | Wednesday, | DELWP Mitta Valley Office/Depot, 3645 Omeo Highway, Eskdale (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |
Gippsland
WDMZ | Date | Venue | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Bendoc | Tuesday, | Corner of Gulf Rd and Mt Delegate Road, Bendoc | 10am to 1pm (9.45am registration) |
Gembrook, Noojee, Erica | Wednesday, | Tyers Hall, Moe-Glengarry Road, Tyers | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
Cann River | Thursday, | 758 West Cann Road, Noorinbee | 10am to 12pm (9.45am registration) |
Orbost | Friday, | Murray Goulburn Store, 10 B Road, Orbost | 10am to 12pm (9.45am registration) |
Tostaree | Tuesday, | 2847 Princes Highway, Tostaree | 10am to 12pm (9.45am registration) |
Bairnsdale | Tuesday, | Glenaladale Hall, Glenaladale | 10am to 1pm |
Omeo, Benambra | Thursday, | Benambra Rec Reserve, Tip Road, Benambra | 10am to 12pm (9.45am registration) |
Swifts Creek, Ensay | Thursday, | ‘Kangara’, 4535 Great Alpine Road, Ensay | 6pm to 9pm |
Buchan | Friday, | ‘The Shortcut’, 72 Old Buchan Road, Buchan | 10am to 1pm (9.45am registration) |
Gelantipy | Tuesday, | 32 Giles Road, Butchers Ridge, Gelantipy | 10am to 1pm (9.45am registration) |
Orbost | Thursday, | DELWP Orbost Office, 171 Nicholson Street, Orbost (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |
Dargo | Tuesday, | DELWP Dargo Depot, 13 Lind Avenue, Dargo (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |
Swifts Creek | Wednesday. | DELWP Swifts Creek Office, 13 McMillan Avenue, Swifts Creek (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |
Gembrook, Noojee, Erica | Thursday, | Parks Victoria Office Symes Road, Woori-Yallock (Drop-in session) | 10am to 12pm |