The state Environment Department has defended its position on wild dog management in Queensland’s national parks in the wake of a decision by Minister Steven Miles to intervene in a departmental program that was using wild dogs to cull goats from Pelorus Island in the Hinchinbrook shire.
In announcing the Interim Conservation Order, Mr Miles said the program needed to stop before irrevocable harm was done to the island’s population of Beach stone-curlews.
In response, AgForce wild dog committee chair Peter Lucas asked why similar strong action in state-owned and managed national parks wasn’t taking place.
"We would strongly encourage the Environment Minister to ensure the same approach taken on Pelorus Island is also taken on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service-owned and managed lands," he said.
When Queensland Country Life contacted the department for a response, it was told QPWS undertakes baiting programs on national parks “to manage feral pigs, dogs and other pests in order to protect key park values, including threatened species like beach stone-curlews, from the impacts of these invasive species”.
According to a departmental spokeswoman, its current operational policy means that approved wild dog control measures can be used on QPWS-managed areas where they are part of integrated and coordinated control programs.
”This allows QPWS to meet its pest management obligations, and reduce threats to native wildlife and other values of QPWS managed lands, public safety and the economic and social well-being of neighbouring lands and communities.”
In turn, Mr Lucas said that what was on paper wasn’t happening in practice.
“We get the standard response all the time but that’s not what we hear from landholders,” he said.
“Our main concern is the inconsistent management.
“In some places, like Idalia National Park (south west of Blackall), where there are Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies, wild dog management is faultless, whereas in other parts of the state, neighbours struggle to get participation.”
The spokeswoman said the government’s policy had been reviewed and updated in October 2015, leading to significant changes and clarifications, following consultation that included AgForce.
Mr Lucas responded that AgForce had tried to have input to the review but their suggestions were left out of the final document.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
