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Wild pigs causing problems in Saunders Beach much to residents disappointment

Townsville City Council has revealed how it is going to combat a wild pig problem in the northern suburbs as more properties are damaged.

Saunders Beach resident Frank Poole in front of the damage wild pigs have done outside his house.
Saunders Beach resident Frank Poole in front of the damage wild pigs have done outside his house.

A resident in Saunders Beach is disappointed at the damage that wild pigs have done to people property’s in the picturesque suburb.

Frank Poole was rudely woken at 2.30am to find about eight wild pigs in his neighbours front yard.

Mr Poole believes they are the same culprits who have been doing damage to yards across the beachside suburb.

Last week, the Townsville Bulletin revealed that herds of feral pigs were descending on Saunders Beach in the night, doing significant damage to property.

It is believed the pigs have emerged from the former Queensland Nickel Refinery site.

“The pigs are about the size of a large dog, you know they’re quite big pigs,” Mr Poole said.

“They seem to favour a bit of nutgrass and lawn, and of course we do (get) water out here so where it’s nice and soft and easy digging, it’s even better for them I guess, they must think it’s heaven.”

Damage done by wild pigs in front of people's properties in Saunders Beach.
Damage done by wild pigs in front of people's properties in Saunders Beach.

Mr Poole said the area had a pig issue for some time, especially after rain.

“They seem to live down around the mangroves there in that area, but normally they attack just on the edge of the mangroves there,” he said

“This is the first time we’ve seen them come out to the beachside.”

Residents have snapped photos and caught footage of the pests on CCTV.

Saunders pigs: Pigs seen from someone's house in Saunders Beach in January, 2025. Lagoon Crescent. Jennifer Foley.
Saunders pigs: Pigs seen from someone's house in Saunders Beach in January, 2025. Lagoon Crescent. Jennifer Foley.

Mr Poole said the damage was especially disheartening with the amount of care people put into their yards.

“We’ve put out watering systems, I mow regularly and yeah, we do like to keep it looking nice,” Mr Poole said.

“A lot of people comment too, but yeah it’s pretty disappointing to see the damage they’ve done.”

Townsville City Council is aware of the damage the pigs have been causing, with Mr Poole contacting Division 2 councillor, Brodie Phillips.

“He’s (Cr Phillips) contacted the council, I know the council have been contacted previous to this, his report to me was they’ve done an aerial surveillance and they’re going to set traps,” he said.

“I don’t know whether these traps are already in place, or they’re going to be put in place, hopefully that solves the situation.”

Moving forward, monitoring the wild pig population in the area was something Mr Poole would like to see.

Damage done by wild pigs in front of people's properties in Saunders Beach.
Damage done by wild pigs in front of people's properties in Saunders Beach.

“That’s what we need to do, just keep onto it until we know we’re well and truly on top of it, I believe Toolakea is having the same problem, the beach up there.” he said.

“So it’s probably a bigger problem than what people think.”

Cr Phillips confirmed an aerial feral animal survey in Saunders Beach was underway, with it also to include Black River, Bluewater and Toolakea areas. The council has also started a trapping program.

Saunders pigs: Pigs captured on CCTV footage on Cay St. Peter Greenough.
Saunders pigs: Pigs captured on CCTV footage on Cay St. Peter Greenough.

“The trapping program is specifically targeting two groups of pigs and has included assessing the location of the groups of pigs, determining which animals are causing environmental damage and pacing traps in the area,” he said.

“This year’s weather conditions have been favourable for feral pig population growth, which is why northern beaches locals may be seeing an increase in feral pigs in residential areas.

The council will continue its trapping program in the coming weeks to help manage the animals in the northern suburbs.

Originally published as Wild pigs causing problems in Saunders Beach much to residents disappointment

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/townsville/wild-pigs-causing-problems-in-saunders-beach-much-to-residents-disappointment/news-story/34cc325658ef004b83468733950fc610