Groups weigh in on big pig problem

AFTER Durdidwarrah residents raised concerns about destructive feral pigs in the Golden Plains Shire’s north-east last month, community stakeholders have shared their position on the issue.

Parks Victoria district manager Stuart Lardner said the department is monitoring feral pig “hotspots” in the Brisbane Ranges National Park.

“Domestic pigs periodically escape from adjoining private properties,” he said. “We control these pigs-run-wild to reduce their impact on the environment.

“They will eat almost anything they can lay their snouts on and regularly turn over large areas of soil in search for food such as roots, tubers, fungi and insects.

“This damages native plants and increases soil erosion and stream siltation. It also makes it easier for weeds to flourish and take over from native species.

Mr Lardner said he is grateful residents update them on sightings to ensure Parks Victoria staff can limit the pigs’ impact.

“As pig populations have increased in the Brisbane Ranges National Park and nearby Lerderderg State Park, we have ramped up our operations and have eradicated more pigs in the last two years than in the decade prior,” he said.

In contrast, a statement from the Golden Plains Shire said the municipality’s environment and sustainability staff have been rarely contacted about the problem.

The spokesperson said staff have not attempted to control feral pigs, other than to offer advice to landholders about how to deal with them, and that the Shire has no responsibility to control feral pigs on private land.

“Feral pigs are considered established pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994,” the spokesperson said.

“Council officers are aware of the issue on private land and the damage done at Durdidwarrah. Council has made attempts to liaise with relevant authorities in support of issues raised by landholders.

“Under the act, landholders have responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of and as far as possible eradicate established pest animals on their land.

“Feral pigs are not a problem on council owned or managed land and so do not feature in our control efforts.

“It is likely that feral pigs, which can range widely and cause significant damage, are coming into private property from other private land or crown land under the management of other agencies.

“Concerns should be addressed to the biosecurity officers at Agriculture Victoria on 13 61 86.”

Within their reports, Durdidwarrah residents noted that neighbouring reservoirs managed by Barwon Water had received levee damage, which they attributed to feral pig activity.

“Like neighbouring landowners, Barwon Water is having to manage the impact that feral pigs are having on our land and assets in the Brisbane Ranges area,” Barwon Water general manager planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said.

“We are in discussions with partners and stakeholders on how we can help reduce feral animal numbers in the area.”

To report sightings of wild or domestic pigs on Parks Victoria land, contact 13 19 63.