Walking track closed for animal management

A DEER control program near Anglesea and Point Addis will temporarily close part of the Surf Coast Walk from this weekend.

Parks Victoria will shut off access to the track for public safety between 4.30pm and 4.30am from Sunday, June 18) until June 23 while it undertakes a ground shooting program to manage deer populations.

The weekend’s activity will be the first of multiple animal management programs near the Great Otway National Park until November.

Parks Victoria acting district manager Michael Smith said the animal management was essential to protect the array of native plants and animals that call the Surf Coast home, including threatened species.

“Parks Victoria is working in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Traditional Owners to deliver deer control programs in the Surf Coast area of the Great Otway National Park to manage the impacts of deer.

“Deer cause serious damage to native plants, animals and habitat by trampling and destroying plants, increasing grazing pressure, ring-barking young trees, fouling waterholes, causing soil erosion and spreading weeds.

“Sections of the Great Otway National Park within the Surf Coast area will be temporarily closed while ground shooting is underway targeting deer and invasive animals. Operations will commence June 2023 and will conclude by November 2023.”

A separate notice from fellow state government agency Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority indicated nearby property owners can apply to include their land in the control program.

People can register their interest by phoning Parks Victorian on 131 963, or find out more information about the program at parks.vic.gov.au