A golf club in Tasmania’s north has canned plans to cull wildlife that destroyed course

In response to community outcry, a northern Tasmanian golf club has canned plans to cull wildlife that they claim destroyed their course. DETAILS >>

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The Greens Beach Club in Tasmania’s north has decided not to go ahead with a cull of wallabies and rabbits to protect its course, following community outcry.

“While there have been strident views from either end of the spectrum, including personal abuse of staff, sponsors and members, the club sees the potential for this matter to divide the community and wishes to avoid that risk,” a statement from the club said.

The golf club had acquired permits to carry out the cull which it said was needed to prevent further damage by the animals.

Debby Hammer who organised a petition against the cull, which attracted more than 10,000 signatures, said she was overjoyed by the decision.

“This really sets a precedent for other golf clubs that they can be nature friendly,” she said.

“It’s proof that people out there love our animals, they are adored and are so valued,” Ms Hammer said.

The club said it would be bringing forward its fencing program.

“Before the fencing can be constructed we estimate a delay of 6-8 weeks, during this time temporary measures such as audio and visual deterrents will be implemented in an attempt to minimise wildlife access to our course,” the statement from the club said.

Tom Allen from the Wilderness Society Tasmania said the club should have explored more humane options sooner.

“Tasmania above all other place needs to stop really taking nature for granted that, includes the idea that wildlife is expendable,” Mr Allen said.

Wallaby and rabbit cull on cards to protect Tassie golf greens

THE GREENS Beach Golf Club in Tasmania’s north is planning to go ahead with a cull of wallabies and rabbits they say is needed to protect their greens from further damage, despite opposition to the policy.

Animal welfare group Animals Tasmania co-ordinator Chris Simcox said it was a short sighted strategy and they had contacted the club to work on potential alternative strategies.

“The golf club gave no indication they wanted to discuss potential alternatives,” he said.

Mr Simcox said fencing and deterrents are some of the other methods that should be explored.

“We want to work with golf course, work in a wildlife friendly way, to show an example of stopping lethal control,” he said.

“The potential for mothers carrying young joeys in their pouches to be killed is among any number of concerns we have with lethal control measures,” Mr Simcox.

In a statement from the golf club they said they have “always been an avid supporter of

our native flora and fauna” and “occasionally removal of excessive wildlife is warranted” in order to ensure they can provide the best facilities for members and visitors.

“The problem we have is the dry weather does cause an abundance of animals, namely wallaby and rabbit that feed on the greens which leads to not only excessive droppings, but more importantly destruction through their scratchings and burrowing,”

“Over the past 60 odd years, the golf club has tried a number of methods to address the issue, the latest project is to upgrade our course fencing, whilst this is a costly exercise, we are hoping this will reduce the wallaby access and invariably prevent damage going forward,” the statement said.

A wallaby roams the bush in Tasmania. The Greens Beach Golf Club is planning to go ahead with a cull they say is needed to protect their course from further damage.

The golf course has said there are strict guidelines in place to ensure other wildlife is protected and the carcasses will be processed as pet food.

An online petition opposing the cull has received more than 8000 signatures.

A spokeswomen from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment said a valid crop protection permit was in place which allows the permit holder to take wallabies and brushtail possums.

“Where wildlife is causing damage, a crop protection permit may be granted to enable applicants to take wildlife if alternative, nonlethal strategies are not effective or practical,

“Assessment of applications for crop protection permits take into account the damage being caused, the abundance of the species of wildlife at a state, local and regional level for which a permit is being sought, and the protection status of that species,” she said.

A crop protection permit is not required for rabbits, but there are restrictions on control activities.