National Wild Dog Management Coordinator

The national wild dog coordinator project continues to build on the platform for strategic management of wild dogs that has been developed over the past ten years.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions during the reporting period, this project has continued to gain ground in wild dog management with the implementation of the National Wild Dog Action Plan and successful applications for large scale research into the impacts of wild dogs. The lead for this project has had extensive discussion with the EIC to facilitate the move towards a comprehensive reporting system which would allow for the centralization of data and determination of what data is relevant and can be reported at a whole of state level.

The National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWDAP) 2020-2030 and new website was formally announced on July 1, 2020. A “Learn how to use muzzles for working dog safety” video was developed by the NWDAP through funding from NSW LLS, Sheep Producers Australia, Wool Producers Australia and Animal Health Australia. Muzzles purchased through this project have now been distributed across the country through the wild dog coordinator and NSW LLS network. The use of muzzles for protecting working dogs is being actively promoted and monitored through our wild dog management networks, with many organisations now purchasing additional muzzles to support ongoing wild dog and fox management in their local regions.

The Coordinator has overseen the completion of the National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWAP) 5-year review, the report of which was accepted in August 2019. The independent review found the plan successful, meeting 94% of its formal activities. The plan, which was funded to the value of $2.62 million, generated a net present value between $13.1 million and $40.68 million. This was achieved through more efficient expenditure and resource allocation for RD&E investment on wild dog management, enhanced social license to undertake wild dog control, improved leadership and increased capacity in wild dog management at all levels of government and community and increased government and industry confidence in wild dog management activities.
Discussions have been held with the Department of Environment regarding support for the NWDAP for 2020-2030 based on the outcomes from the review of the 2014-2019 plan. A focus on maintaining support for the use of 1080 for the protection of agricultural and biodiversity assets. The NWDAP best practice management planning approaches are risk based and support Dingo conservation on public estate.
A video demonstrating the use of muzzles on working dogs has been developed featuring a prominent working dog trainer explaining how to use muzzles correctly. The coordinator continues to communicate regularly with stakeholders through ABC radio and online and workshops and meetings.

This project oversaw and led the development of a Certificate III in rural and environmental pest management training program – https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC30318.

The course comprises 29 competencies related to the management of rural and environmental pests and meets the NWDAP Stage 2 operational plan objective of developing nationally endorsed pest animal controller training.

As a member of the MLA Southern Australia Livestock Research Council the Coordinator provides updates of current research and investment into wild dog management and other pest species being research through CISS. Attendance at these meetings has highlighted the need for ongoing and even greater communication to the broader on farm production stakeholders across Australia.

The Coordinator is a member on a number of state-based wild dog advisory groups, ensuring consistency among jurisdictions with wild dog management policies and processes.

To further strengthen consistency, the Coordinator-led an AWI sponsored a workshop in Toowoomba for the industry funded wild dog coordinators from across the country as well as one NT Landcare officer directly involved in coordinated wild dog management programs. The majority of the wild dog coordinators work alone in regional areas and the workshop was a valuable networking and team building exercise that has generated significant ongoing communication between the coordinator team.