Feral deer are damaging habitats and wildlife, water catchments, farms and public safety. The funding also recognises the harm feral deer are doing to Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Dandenong Ranges and Wilsons Promontory national parks.
Jordan Crook, Parks and Nature Campaigner at VNPA said the additional funding is a good start, but it won't fix the problem.
'This is a modest boost for two areas that are being hit hard. But feral deer are still protected by law in Vic, and that stops effective control. The additional funding treats some symptoms. It doesn't tackle the scale or core of the problem,' Jordan Crook said.
Victoria is the only mainland state that lists feral deer as a 'game species' under the Wildlife Act 1975. This limits how deer can be controlled and how many can be removed. Hog Deer are fully protected on both public and private land.
A 2022 independent expert review of the Wildlife Act recommended listing deer as a pest. The government rejected that advice. Since then, deer numbers have kept growing across Victoria.
'It's time Victoria treated feral deer as the pest they are to properly look after native wildlife,' Crook said.
VNPA is also calling on the Victorian Government to release and assess the deer control methods used in other states. These include corralling, aggregators, gene drive technology and possible biological controls.
VNPA backs the calls of the Victorian Deer Control Community Network, a group of farmers, conservationists and community members, for the government to:
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Fully fund and implement the Victorian Deer Control Strategy.
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Remove protections for feral deer and the regulatory barrier created by the Wildlife Act.
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Commit to eradicating deer in western Victoria while numbers remain low.
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Restore funding and frontline capacity to tackle invasive species across the state.
About us:
About VNPA
Victorian National Parks Association is an effective and influential nature conservation charity. We've led the creation, protection and defence of nature in Victoria for over 70 years.
VNPA advocates for evidence-based policy to safeguard wildlife, habitats and protected areas. We inspire connections with nature through citizen science, activities, community action and education.
We're an independent, non-government, for purpose and membership-based charity.
