Regions need State support to control Wild Dogs

Charters Towers Regional Council will continue its push to see State Government coordinated Wild Dog 1080 Baiting continue across the Region and wider state at the upcoming Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference 2020 next week.

Council has submitted a formal motion to the conference that ‘the State Government continue to enable and subsidise Wild Dog 1080 Baiting through the state’ after the State advised stockpiles of the 1080 baits purchased in the 1970s have dwindled and would subsequently be reviewing its related practices.

Acting Mayor Sonia Bennetto said Council is seeking support from LGAQ to lobby the State Government on the issue on behalf of Councils.

“It’s not just a matter that impacts our Council; across the State regional and rural Councils have witnessed that wild dogs are one of the many feral animals destroying our native wildlife and habitat. Their effects are also felt by many local farmers, graziers and even urban landholders, through attacks on household pets,” she said. 

“Presently we run effective baiting campaigns twice a year to cover the entire Council area, with Rangers travelling 7,000 – 8,000 kilometres over approximately 5 weeks each time which incurs substantial implementation costs. Costs of the baits should not also fall back on individual Local Government Areas to bare; it’s a state-wide issue.”

Neighbouring Mayor of Flinders Shire Council Cr Jane McNamara whole-heartedly supports the motion.

 “Flinders Shire supports the motion put forward by Charters Towers Regional Council, Motion Number 59, requesting that the State Government source and stock pile supply of 1080 Baits for use by Council operatives for the continued control measure for the eradication of Wild Dogs on grazing property,” Mayor McNamara said.

Local grazier Bill Mann also agrees. “We have just participated in the 1080 campaign this month and have done so for many years. If we didn’t it would have disastrous consequences for our cattle. Likewise, if we had to go it alone and conduct the campaign, not only would we be hard-pressed to fund it ongoing, but it wouldn’t be nearly as effective as a coordinated campaign done at a regional or state level.”

The Conference will be held 19-21 October at the Gold Coast in accordance with COVID-Safe guidelines.