New deer control programs have been announced by the State Government, aiming to reduce their environmental impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and the community.<\/p>\n
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said $6.5 million has been allocated to support 26 projects to reduce the impact of deer on significant ecological values, water supplies, national parks, and Aboriginal cultural heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re taking action to safely control Victoria\u2019s deer population and reduce the significant negative impacts they have on our catchments, biodiversity and communities,\u201d Ms Thomas said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese deer control projects will help communities, councils and Victorian Government agencies to reduce the impacts of the state\u2019s estimated one million deer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Funded programs include on-ground and aerial control operations, allowing for native habitat restoration in regional parklands including Lerderderg State Park, the Macedon Ranges, and the Grampians National Park.<\/p>\n
The projects will be delivered by Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP), along with partner agencies such as Melbourne Water and local governments.<\/p>\n
The projects are part of the Victorian Government\u2019s Victorian Deer Control Strategy which was released in October 2020 with an initial $1 million allocation to implement actions in Peri-Urban Melbourne, and a subsequent budget allocation of $18.25 million to deliver critical deer control across Victoria.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the Victorian Government released the first of its region-specific deer plans, the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan 2021-26. Deer control plans for Victoria\u2019s east and west are being developed in partnership with Traditional Owner, conservation, industry, hunting and community representatives, and are expected to be released in the months ahead.<\/p>\n
Mary-Anne Thomas said the new investment in deer control \u201cwill help to deliver on the goals of\u202fBiodiversity 2037, our plan to stop the decline of native plants and animals, and improve the state\u2019s natural environment\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New deer control programs have been announced by the State Government, aiming to reduce their environmental impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and the community. Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said $6.5 million has been allocated to support 26 projects to reduce the impact of deer on significant ecological values, water supplies, national parks, and Aboriginal cultural […]<\/p>\n