Final wild dog consults leave farmers ‘more confused’

Northeast Victorian farmers are calling for “more time” on a wild dog control decision, after state government consultations left them in the lurch.

Northeast Victorian farmers are calling for “more time” on a wild dog control decision, after state government consultations left them in the lurch.

State Agriculture Minister Ros Spence and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos are set to decide on a dingo unprotection order in just two weeks, when the existing order ends.

They will decide on wild dog control on public land within three kilometres of eastern Victorian farm boundaries.

The state government launched a last-minute consultation round with farmers on the wild dog control access in late August, 11 months into its 12-month review.

Greg Ivone, Myrtleford, worked in wild dog control for more than three decades. He recently attended a state government event for farmers at Tallangatta but said he left feeling “more confused” about authorities’ preparedness.

Mr Ivone asked how they forecast the potential population spread and its effects, but said they failed to answer.

“No one’s really looking at the big picture. It needs to be looked at before a decision,” he said.

Tallangatta Valley farmer Emma Nankervis also attended the event, alongside about 100 other farmers, but said it was “too little, too late”.

She destocked her sheep flock from 400 breeding ewes to 60 to fit four hot-wire-fenced paddocks, and has managed her property “really well” since 2013.

“If numbers increase, we’ll battle to keep them out,” she said.

Ms Nankervis said wild dog population spreads would hurt regional tourism, public safety and local wildlife.

“We’re only focusing on the impact of one species rather than the detriment of so much more,” she said.

VFF president Emma Germano said lethal control methods must not be removed until the state government could show other non-lethal controls were in place and successful.

“Our message to the government is clear. Do not lift the unprotection order on wild dogs and allow for genuine consultation with farmers, rather than undertaking sham meetings with communities 11 months into a 12 month process,” she said.

Mr Ivone said he hoped there would be more time for the agricultural industry to adapt to state government decisions, to ensure further preparedness, fencing, animal guards or operation changes.

“The amount they spend on it now is nothing compared to what would happen if they let it go,” he said.