Victory for North East farmers as dingo control measures remain

LIVESTOCK producers across the shire now have greater certainty when it comes to wild dog control methods with the state government confirming the dingo unprotection order will be renewed until 2028. The order which allows the control of dingoes on private land and along the boundaries of public land within a three kilometre buffer had been subject to review due to claims it threatened dingo populations. The announcement made last Tuesday night marked the end of the government’s 12-month review into wild dog management in the state, alleviating farmers’ concerns there would be a roll-back of critical control measures. “Renewing the unprotection order gives stability and certainty to livestock producers in north east and eastern Victoria, enabling them to continue to protect their livestock from dingo predation,” said Minister for Agriculture Rose Spence. Paul Diamond of Pinnaroo Pastoral in Goughs Bay commended the state government on reaching what he believes is the right decision. “We as producers have battled hard to protect our livestock and finally Spring Street has listened to the voices most impacted,” he said. “Decisions need to be influenced by those that live and breathe the daily scenarios rather than people that live in cities and don’t actually understand the circumstances. “Given the mental toll of the past year it’s great to hear that the government is willing to support farmers rather than work against them.” Over the last ten months, Mr Diamond has experienced his largest loss of sheep to dingo predation since going into sheep seven years ago. “I feel for my livestock effected, others impacted and my children thinking what is now normal every weekend dragging dead animals to pits,” he said. And though he acknowledges it will continue to be an uphill battle, “this result gives us a chance to continue to fight and have support from the department”. The Victorian Farmers Federation touted the decision as a “common sense move”, ensuring farmers have the necessary tools to protect their livestock in the face of wild dog attacks. “Farmers are breathing a huge sigh of relief and I would like to thank Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos for listening to us,” said VFF president Emma Germano. “It has been an enormous effort by farmers, industry and everyone involved to have their say and make a difference.” Ms Germano is now calling on the government to reinstate the Wild Dogs Advisory Committee to provide a place for all stakeholders to come together and determine solutions for balancing ongoing management with conservation. Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said the announcement was a massive win for community voices. “More than 12 months ago (when) the threat to the order became apparent a group of seasoned, experienced landholders came together to lobby effectively,” he said. Mr Tilley said this was achieved through multiple channels - delivering speeches to parliament; holding formal and informal meetings with the ministers; taking a stand at a farming expo in Tallangatta and getting those signatures on petitions; as well as harnessing both traditional and social media to explain the situation from a place of knowledge and experience. However environmentalists have expressed their disappointment in the ruling, stressing the ecological importance of dingoes along with their cultural significance to First Nations communities. Australian Dingo Foundation director Mel Browning said the government’s decision is gut-wrenching. “This decision has been made with little transparency, and that is going to lead to the mass killing of a native species on public land (and more) concerningly deep within National Parks where they are causing no harm to livestock,” she said. Groups like the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) have condemned the “killing of a vital ecosystem engineer within three kilometres of national parks and protected areas via baiting, trapping and shooting at taxpayers’ expense”. VNPA Parks and Nature Campaigner Jordan Crook has called on the government to trial and embed alternative solutions to culling.