Outrage as council advocates for wetland closure to duck hunters

GEELONG Field & Game is calling on the Surf Coast Shire to reverse its decision to advocate for the closure of the region’s wetlands to recreational duck hunting.

The council passed a motion at its April meeting last week, agreeing to write to the state’s environment minister, police minister and the Game Management Authority (GMA) to request the closure of three wetlands within the shire.

The council now intends to call for the immediate and permanent closure of Brown Swamp, and the permanent closure of Lake Gherang and Lake Modewarre within 250 metres of residential properties, to duck hunting.

Councillor Kate Gazzard, who initially moved the motion, cited concerns for the native wildlife and the proximity of duck hunting to residential homes at each of the wetlands.

“It was alarming to me how close the shooting occurs to residents’ homes, including two families with very young children, and proximity to gun shooting is a physical threat to health and safety,” she said.

Cr Heather Wellington noted the council has no regulatory authority over duck hunting but said the health and wellbeing of the community was within its “domain of influence”.

“We have a community which is directly affected,” she said.

“Not affected because they’re emotionally upset about something which is happening elsewhere, or because they have a political policy objection to some use of resources.

“They’re directly affected because they’ve been permitted to buy land and build houses in an area next to a swamp.”

The motion had overwhelming support from the council, with only Cr Paul Barker opposing the move.

He said it was the responsibility of homeowners to “conduct their own due diligence” before purchasing a property and expressed concerns that the motion would “pave the pathway to prohibit more outdoor activities in the future”.

Geelong Field & Game secretary Mitchell Parsons questioned the lack of community consultation undertaken by the shire before the motion was put to a vote.

“As a hunting and conversation organisation, we are very displeased,” he said.

“It really should have been put to a public consultation period and it seems [the motion] was passed without canvasing the views of the people who live in the area.”

He said the shire’s concerns about the safety of local residents and native wildlife were unfounded.

“[The council has] taken a position against a scientifically backed, lawful activity.

“That would be like them taking a position against, say, surfing.”

Mr Parsons said there were many residents living in the shire, some who live near the affected wetlands, who were either supportive of duck hunting or participated in the activity themselves.

The organisation, along with several shire residents, has since put together a petition, requesting the council review its position on duck hunting, which it intends to table at the next council meeting on May 28.