Farmers, landholders and experts in species management are being encouraged to apply for a new state government Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee.
Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford said the committee would provide advice to the government on the strategic management of wild dogs across Victoria.
“We're putting farmers and community input at the centre of wild dog management across Victoria,” Ms Pulford said.
Wild dogs created a significant challenge for land managers and were estimated to cost Victoria’s livestock industry up to $18 million per year.
Ms Pulford said the new committee was being established following an independent evaluation of Victoria’s wild dog management program, which highlighted the need for landowners and managers to continue to work in partnership.
It would provide strategic direction in the roll-out of the Action Plan for Managing Wild Dogs in Victoria 2014 – 2019, which set out how best-practice, effective and efficient wild dog management was delivered.
The new committee will be chaired by Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing and will have up to six additional members, representing a cross-section of stakeholders.
Ms Shing said community input, knowledge and engagement was crucial in tackling wild dog populations and reducing the damage they cause.
“I am looking forward to working with the advisory group to help continue the good work being delivered in wild dog management across the state,” Ms Shing said.
Required credentials includes those with skills and experience in managing wild dogs, wild dog research, catchment management and threatened species management.
Expressions of interest close on 18 January 2017.
