Woolnorth owner responds to devil concerns

The owner of Tasmania’s biggest dairy farm is setting aside land earmarked for development to help protect its disease-free Tasmanian devil population. Find out what prompted the move >>

• Alarm over cruel deaths of animal
• Winds smash historic Woolnorth

TASMANIA’S biggest dairy farm says it will set aside more than 10 per cent of its total farm area – 18000ha- to provide habitat for its Tasmanian devil population.

Van Dairy, which owns the iconic Woolnorth dairy farm in the State’s far north west, said the land – enough to house five dairy farms and 5000 cows – was previously earmarked for development.

The company said setting it aside would cost tens of millions of dollars.

Chinese businessman Xianfeng Lu is the owner of VDG (formerly Moon Lake Investments). He bought the dairy business for $280m in 2016.

Xianfeng Lu at Woolnorth where land has been set aside to protect Tasmanian devils.

The company’s announcement comes after it was revealed more than 30 Tasmanian devils had been killed on Woolnorth Road over just two months earlier his year.

The roadkill revelation prompted the Greens to call for urgent federal government funding to protect the devil.

“Ten Tasmanian devils were killed in just five days,” Senator Whish-Wilson asked.

“Woolnorth is considered one of the last strongholds of healthy Tasmanian devil populations in the state after the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease reduced populations by up to 90 per cent in some areas.

“Road-kill mitigation measures including lower speed limits, signage and fencing must be implemented. More importantly the federal government must commit to funding Tasmanian devil research in the area.”

More than 30 Tasmanian devils have been killed on Woolnorth Road in Tasmania's far northwest since the start of January 2021. Picture: Supplied

Van Dairy spokesperson Gaye Bank said Van Dairy was also replanting trees and other fauna to improve habitat for the Tasmanian devils.

“Our goal is to ensure that the working dairy farm blends perfectly with the natural environment. We are working hard to ensure we can protect the iconic Tasmanian devil while also providing economic benefits and job opportunities to the region,” Mrs Banks said.

“Van Dairy has some of the last Devil Facial Tumour Disease-free populations in the world and, as the custodians of the land we respect that immensely.

“Van Dairy’s owner, Mr Lu, has said that saving the devils is a priority and we are working hard every day to achieve that.

“In addition to the land set aside for the devils, we have begun replanting thousands of trees.

“We have also put in place protocols to ensure that farm workers avoid contact with the devils, including while driving.

“We will be reaching out to the Tasmanian Government in coming weeks to discuss an enduring partnership and to discuss further measures to support the effort to rescue the Tasmanian devil.”