Download Pest Animal Management Discussion Paper

DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Pest animals are a problem across Australia. In most cases pest animals are well
established and eradication is practically impossible. Pest authorities have found that
it is better to prevent an animal establishing itself in an area than trying to control it
after establishment. For Wollongong, populations of rabbits, deer, foxes, goats, and
cats are well established and unlikely to be eradicated. For other animals such as
wild pigs and dogs, the community can inform Council if they are emerging as an
issue.
The Vertebrate Pest Animal Management Policy outlines Council's approach to work
with government agencies and the community to help coordinate pest control in a
well planned way so that every dollar is spent to the greatest effect and animal
suffering is minimised.
Aim
As part of the exhibition of the draft Vertebrate Pest Animal Management Policy
Council has prepared this discussion paper. The aim of the discussion paper is to:
• provide information about the policy and the proposed management
approach;
• gain feedback on attitudes in the community to pest animals and the roles of
the community, authorities and Council in their management; and
• promote the reporting of pest issues to Council.
How does Wollongong Council compare with other Councils?
Most Councils have at least some involvement with pest management. Common
pest species targeted by Councils include rabbits, foxes and Indian Myna birds.
Council pest control work is focussed on Council land, but often includes community
involvement through education or community action programs.
It is not intended that Wollongong City Council take over responsibility for pest
control from private landholders or other government agencies in our area, but
Council can do more to improve its land management and help coordinate pest
control work so that it is as effective and efficient as possible. When Council
considers a pest to be a high priority, it can develop Pest Management Plans and
target these pests.
Role of the Community
The community has a very important role to play in managing pest species. The
community can:
• Ensure that food and shelter are not provided for pest species, e.g. covering
compost bins and not leaving pet food outdoors;
• Contain domestic animals to avoid their release into the wild;
• Report pest problems to Council to help us monitor pest impacts; and
• Participate in pest control programs.
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Role of the community (continued)
Pests such as foxes and myna birds flourish in urban environments, feeding on pet
food and uncovered compost heaps. Often domestic rabbits are released or escape
into natural areas where they add to the wild rabbit population. Keeping pets
contained and reducing the supply of food to pest animals is important in limiting
pest numbers.
Residents are also a source of valuable information about where pests are occurring
and what impacts they are having. Council has developed a pest register as part of
its Land Information System to record this information. If you have been affected
by pest animals please contact Council on 4227 7111 and we will record the type
of animal, how many are affecting you and where and when this occurred. This
information will help build a better picture of which parts of the city are being
impacted by pest species and the time of year the problem is most severe. This
information will also be used to help prioritise pest control actions.
Role of Pest Animal Advisory Group
The Pest Animal Advisory Group is made up of staff from government agencies
involved in pest management in our area and Council staff. Current members are
from Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW), Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water (DECCW), Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA), NSW Police
Service, Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority (CLHPA), Game Council
of NSW, Animal Welfare League, RSPCA NSW and Council staff. This group is an
important part of Council's approach to pest management. The group advises
Council on pest matters and helps us improve the service provided to the
community.
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Information on Pests
Deer (Deer species)
Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are the main species of deer found in our area. They
first escaped from an enclosure into Royal National Park in 1907, but have been
found to occur as far south as Ulladulla. In recent years, deer have been found in
increasing numbers in the Illawarra. They have been found to be predominantly in
the Illawarra Escarpment or its vicinity, but have also been recorded on the coastal
plain as far east as Windang. Other species occuring in the area include fallow deer
(Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elephus). Most complaints related to deer are
received by Council in the months July through to September, corresponding with
the increased range and mating behaviour of male deer. Of particular concern to
Council is deer occurring on Council land near residential areas and on Council land
containing endangered ecological communities.
Deer have been found to be causing significant damage to the natural environment
of Wollongong LGA and are thought to have contributed to motor vehicle accidents.
Reports of deer repeatedly damaging gardens, revegetation works, and property
have been recorded by Council. Herbivory and environmental degradation by feral
deer has been listed as a Key Threatening Process (KTP) under the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995 reflecting the damage that deer are doing to native
vegetation communities. There is strong evidence of deer damaging sensitive
vegetation in the Wollongong area.
A NSW Government approved program of deer control has been conducted in the
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area since 2007 and private landholders
are understood to have conducted deer control activities on private land. This
program is part of a broader deer control program which has been operating in Royal
National Park since 2001. Council is developing a Pest Management Plan for deer
and considering ways to support existing deer control programs including engaging
professional pest contractors to cull deer on Council land. Council is also looking at
developing a Memorandum of Understanding with National Parks (DECCW) and
Sutherland Council to help us work together on deer control.
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
The European Rabbit flourishes in a wide variety of environments. It is found
extensively through the coastal plain of the Wollongong LGA. The Rural Lands
Protection Act 1998 lists rabbits as a declared pest and obliges Council to control
rabbit populations on Council managed land. Competition and grazing by the feral
European Rabbit is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995. Endangered Ecological Communities known to be
impacted by rabbit populations include Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, Swamp
Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains and Illawarra Coastal Grassy Woodlands.
Rabbits have been found to be damaging revegetation activities and natural
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Information on Pests
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
regeneration of Endangered Ecological Communities in Wollongong. Rabbits have
also been found to damage playing and walking surfaces creating a hazard for
pedestrians.
Rabbits are believed to be a food source for foxes and feral cats and therefore
should be controlled in an integrated manner with these species to avoid an increase
in predation on native fauna from reductions in rabbit numbers.
Council is developing a Pest Management Plan for rabbits which will lead to a
coordinated control program across a number of sites. Although Council has
conducted rabbit control at various sites in the past, the development of a Pest
Management Plan for rabbits will help make these programs more effective.
Wild Dog (Canis lupis familiaris and Canis dingo)
Wild dogs and dingoes, occur west of the Wollongong LGA and are considered pests
mainly for their predation on livestock, large mammals and large ground dwelling
birds and for their transmission of diseases and parasites. Although wild dogs have
been declared a pest animal species under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998, in
the Wollongong Local Government Area wild dogs are managed through the
Companion Animals Act 1998 and the Impounding Act 1993. Wild dogs have been
included in this policy to allow for a coordinated response should they emerge as a
pest issue for Council in the future.
Wollongong Council currently assists the public to deal with stray dogs by supporting
the RSPCA Animal Shelter and providing ranger services to assist with impounding
stray dogs. Based on the currently available information, Council has allocated a low
priority to the preparation of a Pest Management Plan for wild dogs. If wild dogs are
affecting Council managed land in the future, Council will work with the Cumberland
Livestock Health and Pest Authority to deal with these cases.
Feral Cat (Felis catus)
All cats, whether domesticated or not, are subject to the Companion Animals Act
1998. A feral cat is one which survives in the wild without need for humans for food
or shelter.
In Wollongong, feral cats are managed through the RSPCA Animal Shelter, in
cooperation with members of the public, the Animal Welfare League and Council
Officers. Because feral cats are potentially dangerous to handle, it is not practical for
members of the public to capture and deliver cats to the pound. The Animal Welfare
League has officers expert in capturing feral cats and Council provides financial
support for this work.
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Information on Pests
Feral Cat (Felis catus)
The public has a very important part to play in reducing the impacts of feral cats. By
reporting cases of feral cats to Council on 4227 711, we can keep track of which
parts of the city are having the greatest problems, and provide information on
services available to deal with feral cats.
Feral cats are known to exist in high numbers within the Wollongong LGA although
data on their distribution is very difficult to establish due to their cryptic behaviour.
Predation by Feral Cats is listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act
1995 and the EPBC Act 1999. Reductions in competition from fox populations may
increase cat numbers, so Council will consider control of feral cats in the event that
we conduct programs targeting foxes.
Feral Pig (Sus scrofa)
Feral pigs are widely distributed throughout NSW, Queensland and the Northern
Territory. Pigs are capable of breeding rapidly and survive on a varied diet including
grass, bulbs, tubers and vertebrate prey. They are responsible for habitat
degradation through disturbance of plants and soil and through spreading diseases
such as root-rot fungus (DECC 2006). Predation, habitat degradation, competition
and disease transmission by feral pigs is a Key Threatening Process under the NSW
TSC Act 1995 and the EPBC Act 1999.
Feral pigs are mainly found in Wollongong when they are released to train hunting
dogs. Council has recently assessed feral pigs as being a low priority for the
organisation; however, this assessment may change if Council is informed of pig
populations not currently known to Council. Council will work with the Cumberland
Livestock Health and Pest Authority to deal with cases of feral pigs affecting Council
managed land.
Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Foxes are known to be distributed throughout the Wollongong LGA and are found
throughout NSW. Foxes are considered to be opportunistic predators, consuming a
wide range of prey depending on availability. Management priorities in the
Wollongong area have focused on fox impacts on Little Terns and Broad Headed
Snakes. It is likely that fox predation is impacting on a great number of native fauna
although the nature and extent of impacts on most native fauna are not known.
Predation by the European red fox is listed as a Key Threatening Process under both
the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Federal Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Both the Federal government
and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service have prepared a threat abatement
plan for Predation by the European red fox. Council will be obliged to amend its
plans of management if a NSW threat abatement plan contains measures specific to
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Information on Pests
Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
community land. Measures to control foxes should be integrated with programs
aimed at feral cats and dogs to avoid creating an increase in numbers of these other
feral predators.
Council has participated in fox control programs in the past, however, the use of
1080 poison is not feasible for the majority of Council managed land as it is
dangerous for non-target animals such as dogs and cats.
Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Indian Myna birds are considered a pest due to their perceived threat to biodiversity,
for the fouling of public and private space and amenities, noise generated from
communal roosts, damage to agricultural crops (eg wineries), and acting as carriers
for avian diseases, some of which may be transmitted to humans, and mites. Mynas
are considered to be a long term threat to the survival of other native species,
especially those that compete for nest hollows. There is evidence that Mynas are
spreading into more rural areas, potentially increasing the impact on threatened
woodland species, such as the Superb Parrot and Brown Treecreeper (DECC 2007).
In Wollongong there are a number of residents who have expressed concern over
the Indian Myna population, with the common concern that they are negatively
impacting on populations of other native species. We currently have no census
information on the size and distribution of the Wollongong Myna population to know
the scale of the problem, but it is evident that Mynas are widely distributed
throughout the urban areas of Wollongong.
Trapping, and removing food sources are the major options being explored by
Council to reduce Indian Mynah bird populations. Some other site specific options
are also available such as tree netting. Trials of an Indian Myna trap have been
conducted over recent years and preliminary results indicate that the traps are
effective for small numbers of birds if used appropriately. Council is in a position to
use this policy to assess its future involvement in Indian Myna Management. If the
control methods are shown to be effective and economical then Council can prepare
and implement a Pest Management Plan to control Indian Mynas.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Carp are an introduced species of fish listed as a Class 3 noxious fish in NSW. This
means that they are known as a significant and widespread pest, but their
possession or sale is not prohibited (I&I NSW 2009). They are hardy and tolerant of
a wide variety of conditions from pristine to degraded, but prefer warm water bodies
with slow flowing or standing water and soft bottom sediments (I&I NSW 2009).
Common carp exist in Coomaditchie Lagoon in large numbers and Council has
conducted gill netting operations to reduce numbers. Carp are thought to be
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DISCUSSION PAPER – PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Information on Pests
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
impacting on Green and Golden Bell Frog numbers at Coomaditchie Lagoon and
further reductions in Carp numbers are identified as an action in the Management
Plan for the the Green and Golden Bell Frog Key Population at Port Kembla (DECC).
An important goal for Carp control is to not to let them establish in other waterways
in the area. If Council found an effective control method for local eradication, the
current priority assessment of "Low" could be reassessed to be "High" and a control
program developed. This would likely be in partnership with Industry & Investment
NSW.
Feral Goat (Capra hircus)
Goats that have escaped the control of humans and are breeding in the wild are
considered to be feral (Environment Australia 1999). In the Wollongong LGA feral
goats have been found to occur in the escarpment lands and are likely to be
impacting on Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest communities. Goats are generalist
herbivores capable of surviving in a variety of habitats. Competition and land
degradation by feral goats is listed as a key threatening process under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Wollongong has several populations of goats under farm management and some
known wild populations. Council's current priority assessment of goats is as a "Low"
priority. The control techniques for goats available in the Illawarra are limited. Goats
often occupy rocky and inaccessible terrain making control high cost and dangerous.
How do I have a say in this discussion paper/policy?
a.
Attending one of the three community forums:
10 Feb 2010
16 Feb 2010
24 February 2010
Helensburgh Community Centre,
Walker Street, Helensburgh
Level 9 Function Room
Wollongong City Council
Administration Building
41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Banksia Room
Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
Princes Highway, Dapto
7.15pm – 8pm
** during the
Neighbourhood
Forum
6-7pm
6-7pm
b.
Sending written feedback to Council via mail, fax (4227 7058) or email
[email protected] by 1 March 2010; or
c.
Filling in a feedback form (by 1 March 2010) which is available from at all
Council Libraries or Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
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