Minister to inspect Fraser Island

ENVIRONMENT Minister Vicky Dowling, due to visit Fraser Island, has claimed that recent fires on Fraser Island did no damage to dingo numbers.

Rural fire volunteers plan their course of attack upon arrival at Fraser Island during the recent bushfires.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Vicky Dowling, due to visit Fraser Island today, has claimed that recent fires on Fraser Island did no damage to dingo numbers.

It is expected Ms Dowling will be escorted to view some of the fire grounds created when a change in weather conditions fanned the remnants of a controlled burn into a bushfire in late September.

The bushfires that sprang up created a risk to tourists and buildings on Fraser Island but Ms Dowling played down fears that local fauna had suffered.

"There was no damage to the Fraser Island dingo population and none was expected," Ms Dowling said.

"Dingoes and other wildlife have evolved with fire over thousands of years and are expected to benefit from the fire in the medium and long term from increased food and habitat opportunities as the vegetation regenerates and provides a greater variety of food for prey species.

"Three collared dingoes were known to be in the area prior to the fire and are known to be moving about near and within the fire-ground at present."

Norma Hannant, who lived on Fraser Island for 37 years - 22 years as owner of Cathedral Beach Resort - remained sceptical about the fire's impact on dingo populations.

"The fires occurred in September and dingoes can whelp anytime up 'till then," she said.

"As pups are not tagged until they are seven months old it is hard to say if any died or not."

Ms Dowling is expected to hear from Department of Environment and Resource officials.

Originally published as Minister to inspect Fraser Island