MANSFIELD is one of five locations set to host a drop-in session, with community feedback sought by the state government to inform dingo conservation and wild dog management in Victoria.
Taking place on Friday September 6 between 10am and 12pm, Mansfield along with Tallangatta are two locations in the North East confirmed for face-to-face consultation, with Omeo and Galantipy in Gippsland and Hopetoun in the North West also scheduled for in-person consultation.
“We want to hear from farmers impacted by predation as part of this consultation process and use their feedback to help shape the settings that will protect livestock,” said Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence.
Minister Spence and Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced along with face-to-face meetings, online consultation would form part of the review.
Drop-in sessions will build on previous surveys and consultation to appropriately balance the protection of livestock and the conservation of dingoes.
This targeted consultation will seek feedback on the economic and social impacts of the dingo unprotection order, building on the government’s understanding of the different views about the current order.
The current understanding has been informed by recent stakeholder engagement, correspondence and data collection including the livestock predation survey conducted.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said the government now wanted local knowledge and expertise to form part of the review as the government worked towards a future that appropriately balances the conservation of dingoes with the protection of livestock.
The Ministers for Environment and Agriculture will jointly consider this feedback, alongside the latest scientific research and data, in determining the future policy settings beyond October 1, when the current dingo unprotection order is due to expire.
Dingoes are listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.
The dingo unprotection order only permits control activities on specified private land and within a three kilometre buffer zone on public land in the east of Victoria.
To find out more about the consultation visit, agriculture.vic.gov.au/dingoreview.