SA Arid Lands NRM Board releases its Wild Dog Plan

Posted 13 February 2015.

The SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board launched its plan for managing wild dogs in the region at the Wild Dog Consultation Forum held in Port Augusta yesterday.“The SA Arid Lands Wild Dog Management Plan is an important document for the Board and for the region, providing guidance to land managers and government staff to conduct wild dog management throughout the SA Arid Lands region,” said Ms Janet Brook, Presiding Member, SAAL NRM Board.The Plan will contribute to improved cattle and biodiversity outcomes outside (north of) the Dog Fence – where the wild dog/dingo is neither declared nor protected – and control programs inside (south of) the Dog Fence where the wild dog is a declared pest.“It addresses control measures including ground baiting, aerial baiting, trapping and shooting, as well as issues of compliance, communication, monitoring and evaluation of control measures and public safety.”The Plan incorporates the views of over 120 stakeholders – including managers of pastoral and conservation leases, parks, Aboriginal landholders, Co-management bodies, mining companies and tourism interests.“As a Board we are particularly proud of the rigorous 12 month consultation process that was undertaken to develop the Plan and that it represents the views of our community.”“Our six district-based NRM Groups were also pivotal to its development hosting seven workshops where ‘real time’ changes were made to the draft Plan.”The release of the Plan follows the announcement late last year that the Board had allocated additional funds from its regional (land-based) NRM levy to increase wild dog control in the region.The money was allocated to funding a second full-time wild dog officer for the region, bringing the total Board contribution to wild dogs in 2014/15 to $180,000.The Board – which has been instrumental in calling for a coordinated statewide approach to wild dog management - now urges land managers to consider the state strategic plan.The Wild Dog Strategic Plan for South Australia has been devised by the SA Wild Dog Advisory Group (SAWDAG); it provides for a cooperative approach to wild dog management by government, industry and community across South Australia over 2014-18.

With support from Biosecurity SA and the SA Arid Lands NRM Board, SAWDAG were taking comment on the draft plan at yesterday’s Wild Dog Consultation Forum.The Wild Dog Strategic Plan for South Australia is available for download here: www.environment.sa.gov.au/haveyoursay/wild-dog-strategic-plan with feedback due by 27 February.Copies of the SAAL Wild Dog Management Plan can be downloaded here http://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/aridlands while additional information is available from the Natural Resources Centre in Port Augusta 8648 5300.