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Rural partnerships to tackle feral animals
Mark Phillis (property manager) baiting feral pigs inside trap
Trap set for feral pigs
Mark inspecting pig damage to soil
"When you've only got regulation to sell, it's an uphill battle," said General Manager of the Central Tablelands Rural Lands Protection Board, Tim Johnston.
Tim is speaking about a program that gives the Boards much more than regulation to sell when it comes to dealing with feral animals.
Three Rural Lands Protection Boards - Central Tablelands, Goulburn and Moss Vale - have formed a partnership with Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to take a joint approach to managing pest animals.
Funding
The Australian Government has put $390,000 towards the seven-year program, which began in 2000. The State Government has also provided support.
"One of our roles is to make sure people are complying with pest control orders," said Tim.
"But under this program we're changing from regulators to partners. Rather than just telling people what they have to do, we can go in and say - 'let's work together on this'.
"We can provide advice as well as practical help, including equipment and funding.
"This makes a big difference to landholders across the three districts. They're now approaching us so they can be part of the program."
Activities and achievments
More than 80 per cent of funding goes into on-ground work. The program has produced some compelling statistics:
- more than 2,700 square kilometres of land inspected and controlled for rabbit infestation;
- 620 feral goats destroyed;
- 10,000 hectares aerially surveyed; and
- more than 300 pigs destroyed annually over five years.
"This partnership between Rural Lands Protection Boards and the Catchment Management Authority is giving more bang for the buck," Tim said.
One farmer in the Megalong Valley who has been involved in the program is Mark Phillis, manager of a 182-hectare equestrian adjistment property bordered by vineyards.
"Some of our neighbours have had vines completely destroyed by feral pigs," he said.
"The Board approached us and suggested we join together to do something about controlling them. Now when our neighbours find pig damage they tell me and I come out and shoot or trap the pigs.
"But getting rid of pigs all by yourself is expensive and time-consuming. Under this program, the Board supplies us with traps and ready prepared grain to put in them.
"This makes a really big difference to what we can do."
More information
- Tim Johnston, General Manager Central Tablelands Rural Lands Protection Board tim.johnston@rlpb.org.au
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