Have your say – draft commercial kangaroo management plan released for consultation

Posted 10 July 2017.

The draft Plan guides how the South Australian Government manages and monitors populations of the common kangaroo species – the red kangaroo, western grey kangaroo and euro – including the commercial harvest, which occurs across much of the State’s pastoral area, Eyre Peninsula, mid-North and Murray Mallee.

Since European settlement, these species have increased in abundance due to changes in land use, habitat modification, increased artificial water points and reduced predation; their harvest is an option available to landholders to reduce the damage caused by the species.

DEWNR’s Arid Lands region Manager Scientific Services, Rob Brandle said Kangaroo harvesting in South Australia has been regulated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for nearly 40 years with no negative impact to the long-term conservation of populations.

“Kangaroo numbers fluctuate in response to rainfall, and when populations are in high numbers they can cause detrimental impacts to the environment, infrastructure, pasture or cereal crops, or pose a danger to motorists,” Mr Brandle said.

“Five-year reviews of the management plan are important to ensure that the commercial harvest continues to be managed within sustainable limits.”

The latest draft Plan is based on a review of the 2013-2017 plan, where input was sought from meat and field processors, peak and regulatory bodies (e.g. Livestock SA, Conservation Council, Biosecurity SA, Australian Government), land managers, animal welfare groups (e.g.RSPCA) and the Kangaroo Management Reference Group.

Minor updates have been made to the entire plan, with more involved revisions focused on improved education on best practice use of commercial and non-commercial management options for kangaroo management.

The draft Plan describes seven key aims around animal welfare, community awareness and participation, managing kangaroo impacts on land condition, monitoring kangaroo populations and commercial harvest, facilitating adaptive management and research, and undertaking program reporting and review.

The plan also acts as a Wildlife Trade Management Plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and allows for the commercial export of kangaroo products.

Copies of the draft Plan, an online survey and information on how to have your say are available at https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/decisions/kangaroo-management-plan or by contacting the Natural Resources Centre in Port Augusta 8648 5300 or kmp@sa.gov.au.

All comments will be considered with a view to improving the draft Plan before it is finalised and sent to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for approval.

Feedback is due 8 October 2017.