Status: Completed

Start date: 1 May 2020

Completion date: 30 September 2022

Project code: P01-E-003

Species/Threats: Feral deer

Download project report (PDF, 2.75 MB)

Summary

The National Feral Deer Coordinator supports community-led deer control all over Australia; collects data about where deer are; maintains awareness of current state and national laws, policies and practices; and facilitates development of a National Action Plan for feral deer.
The Coordinator’s work included supporting seven new and three expanded community-led projects to grow independently; co-investing small amounts for community programs and thermal-assisted shooting training; designing and facilitating meetings, workshops and webinars; tailoring information for communities; reviewing control and communication plans;

Key achievements

Outputs

  • National Feral Deer Action Plan.
  • Countless meetings, workshops and training with landholders, local, state and federal government and land managers promoting collaboration and best practice management.

Outcomes

  • Reduced feral deer impact costs.
  • Reduced negative environmental impacts of feral deer, such as land degradation and habitat destruction.
  • Contribution to maintained social licence to operate for invasive species managers.
  • Increased capability of invasive species managers.

Impact

  • Delivered a net present value of $101.71 million and a benefit-cost ratio of about 19.3:1 as part of the Centre’s National Community Engagement Coordinator Model between 2017-18 and 2022-23.

Project team

Dr Annelise Wiebkin

Project Lead

Dr Brad Page

PIRSA

Dr Michelle Dawson

NSW South East LLS

Jennifer Gillis

SA Feral Deer Coordinator

Tim Collins

SE Landscape Board

Dr Matt Gentle

QDAF

Quentin Hart

NSW DPI

Will De Milano

VIC DEDJTR

Dr Matt Pauza

TAS DPIPWE

Project partners

The project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Project updates

February 2021

The Coordinator has built working relationships with several deer management programs in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, and is linking groups with similar challenges. Through working with these groups, the Coordinator is developing forums, workshops, planning templates and engagement material to meet their common needs.

Deer control groups in Jindabyne, Tweed Shire and around Melbourne have reported that the increased communication between groups is driving a sense of enthusiasm and motivation to effectively manage deer together.

Scientific publications & reports

Hardaker T (2023) An Evaluation of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions National Invasive Species Management Coordinator Model. A report for the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Canberra. https://invasives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/231026_CISS-Case-Study_National-Coordinator-Model_REPORT_final-1.pdf