Hunting Tourism Action Plan Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report

July 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 3 INTRODUCTION ...... 4

BACKGROUND ...... 4

THE DRAFT HUNTING TOURISM ACTION PLAN ...... 4

HUNTING TOURISM STEERING GROUP ...... 5 COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN ...... 5

NEGOTIABLES AND NON-NEGOTIABLES ...... 6

IDENTIFIED STAKEHOLDERS ...... 6 INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ...... 7

FACT SHEET ...... 7

WEBSITE ...... 7

ADVERTISING AND MEDIA RELEASES...... 7

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS ...... 8

SUBMISSIONS ...... 16

SURVEY (ON-LINE AND HARD COPY)...... 22

SOCIAL MEDIA ...... 31 RECOMMENDATION...... 33

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Towong Shire Council (Council) identified hunting tourism as a potential strategy for generating economic development after it was raised during community consultation for a number of key strategic community plans, including the Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan and the Our Valley, Our Future project.

During December 2016, Council worked with Tourism North East to produce a Draft Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

In August 2017, Council adopted the Draft Plan in principle. Following such, Council formed the Towong Shire Hunting Tourism (stakeholder) Steering Group to undertake a community and stakeholder engagement process and deliver a revised plan.

Following the formation of the Steering Group, a comprehensive engagement process was conducted during April and May of 2018. The engagement process sought to receive feedback on the Draft Plan from stakeholders via a survey (both on-line and in hard copy), community information sessions, and a call for submissions. The engagement process was promoted widely through community groups, social media, advertising and media engagement.

23 submissions were received from 14 residents and 1 organisation. 159 surveys were completed and the average participation rate at the three information sessions was 35. Social media also provided insight into stakeholders’ perceptions of the Draft Plan.

Feedback received through submissions and the information sessions was predominantly from landholders within the Shire. It was made clear that farmers in Towong Shire have a problem with deer numbers, however equally face issues presented by illegal hunting. Such issues include cattle being shot, fences being cut, and trespassers entering private property.

The vast majority of feedback received from residents suggests that the community is not in favour of the Plan being pursued in its current form. Concern mainly related to the potential increase in hunters, particularly irresponsible hunters, which many community members believed would occur as a result of the Plan and specifically the marketing and promotion of the region as a hunting destination.

Strategies for potential inclusion in a Plan were also identified. Recurrent suggested strategies included the creation of informative material (brochures/websites) which allowed hunters to be better informed on hunting expectations, locations and opportunities within the Shire, and advocacy from Council for more resources to be allocated to the policing of illegal hunting.

Upon reviewing all feedback received, the Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Steering Group recommends that Council does not pursue the development of a Hunting Tourism Action Plan. However, Council has an opportunity to advocate on behalf of Towong residents; advocate for improving resources and communication addressing illegal hunting, and for facilitating economic development opportunities.

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INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

Towong Shire is home to a range of pest animals including foxes, rabbits and wild dogs. In addition, there is an abundance of game deer.

The pest animals and deer have a serious impact on local natural flora and fauna, and affect farming properties where they destroy fences, consume fodder and graze paddocks intended for domestic livestock. The quantity and quality of deer in particular has made Towong Shire a popular destination for recreational hunters.

Hunting tourism was identified in the Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan as an activity with strong potential, capable of leveraging the Shire’s abundant deer population and scenic natural environment. Hunting tourism was recognised as having potential to significantly boost visitation to the region.

The Mitta Valley community has also identified hunting tourism as a potential tourism opportunity, with a small number of operators already active in this space.

Opportunities include guided hunting, accommodation tailored to hunters, and facilitated access to private land populated with deer. In addition, various auxiliary services have the potential to benefit.

THE DRAFT HUNTING TOURISM ACTION PLAN

The Draft Plan was developed following consultation with Council, TNE, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local industry that are active in the hunting tourism space.

The Draft Plan was presented at an Ordinary Council Meeting in August 2017, where Council provided in principle support and authorisation to seek feedback from key stakeholders and the broader Towong Shire community.

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HUNTING TOURISM STEERING GROUP

Following the decision by Council to provide in principle support to the Draft Plan and release it for feedback from the community, a Hunting Tourism Steering Group was established.

The Steering Group included representatives from: • Agriculture Victoria • Towong Shire Council • Community members • Upper Murray Business Inc. • Hancock Victorian Plantations • Victorian Department of Economic • Landcare Development, Jobs, Transport and • North East Catchment Management Resources Authority • Victorian Department of • NSW Department of Industry Environment, Land, Water and • Parks Victoria Planning • Tourism North East • Victoria Police.

A key objective of the Steering Group was to facilitate the community and stakeholder engagement process.

COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN

The Steering Group developed a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Appendix 1) to gather feedback from key stakeholders and community members on the content of the Draft Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan. The core purpose of the engagement process was to ensure the final Plan considered the broad range of opportunities and issues surrounding hunting in the Shire.

In producing the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the Steering Group adopted the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) engagement model.

The engagement process aimed to meet the following five principles:

1. Key stakeholders and community members will be provided with balanced and objective information: Information provided will assist key stakeholders and community members understand the issues surrounding hunting in the region, and how the Plan will seek to address those issues. The information provided will be supported with evidence and will reflect a range of viewpoints.

2. There will be sufficient opportunities for high quality feedback: Key stakeholders and community members will be given a variety of opportunities to be accurately informed and to provide feedback into the process. These opportunities will include being able to communicate directly with members of the Steering Group.

3. The process for seeking feedback will be fair and equitable: Some key stakeholders and community members will be directly impacted by the Draft Plan, while others will have an indirect interest. All key stakeholders and community members will have an opportunity to be heard and provide input.

4. Feedback opportunities will reach a diverse range of key stakeholders and community members: In addition to the Plan affecting a broad geographical area, key stakeholders and

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community members represent a range of interests, industries and demographics. All key stakeholders and community members will have access to feedback opportunities.

5. All feedback will be considered: Key stakeholders and broader community members must be confident that their feedback is being sought genuinely and that it will be taken seriously.

NEGOTIABLES AND NON-NEGOTIABLES

The Steering Group reviewed the Draft Plan and developed a series of negotiables and non- negotiables (see Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan – Appendix 1). The Steering Group was working on the principle that elements of the Draft Plan were negotiable, not the Plan itself. However, following the first week of engagement, the Steering Group reconsidered its approach and the Plan in its entirety was deemed negotiable.

IDENTIFIED STAKEHOLDERS

The following provides a list of the identified stakeholders. Stakeholders were informed of the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan and the engagement process being undertaken. Responses via submissions or the on-line survey were also invited from a majority of these stakeholders.

• Australian Deer Association • Mitta Valley Inc. • Bill Tilley MLA, Member for Benambra • North East Water (State) • North East Catchment Management • Cathy McGowan MP, Member for Indi Authority (Federal) • NSW DPI • Council Planning and Environmental • Parks Victoria Health Departments • Ratepayers – non-resident • Farmers • Ratepayers - resident • Game Management Authority • Regional Development Victoria Hume • Goulburn-Murray Water Office • Hancock Victorian Plantations • Tourism North East • Hon Jaala Pulford, Minister for • Upper Murray Business Inc. Agriculture (Victoria), Minister for • Victorian Department of Environment, Regional Development Land, Water and Planning • Hunters • Victorian Department of Economic • Individual businesses Development, Jobs, Transport & • Landcare Resources • Local Visitor Information Centre • Victoria Police • Man from Snowy River Tourism Association

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INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

A variety of engagement activities were undertaken to inform and consult with stakeholders and community members.

FACT SHEET

Council Officers produced a fact sheet (Appendix 2) that summarised the purpose of developing a Hunting Tourism Action Plan, the feedback that Council was seeking, and the process that had been undertaken to date.

The fact sheet was available to download from the Council website, in hard copy at the information sessions and at designated information locations within the Shire.

WEBSITE

Towong Shire Council’s website promoted all aspects of the engagement process: • The An overview of the Project • A link to the Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Draft Plan • Details of where the information sessions were being held and how residents could register attendance • A link to the fact sheet • A link to the on-line survey • Information related to where residents could complete a hard copy of the survey

ADVERTISING AND MEDIA RELEASES

The fact sheet, survey, information sessions and calls for submissions were promoted via: • Council’s Facebook page o A total of 5 posts informed residents of the information sessions and/or directed residents to the Council website to complete an on-line survey or find more information o The first post alone received 21 shares and reached a total of 6,831 people • Advertisements in the Tallangatta Herald and Corryong Courier* • Media releases were distributed to local media, including the Tallangatta Herald and Corryong Courier* • A direct email campaign to various community groups and government authorities requested that details of the information sessions and survey opportunity be shared.

*Content was also sought in the Bush ‘n’ Bulldust, however due to an early April release the deadline was not met.

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COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

Community information sessions were held at: Mitta Valley Sports Precinct – 7pm, Monday 16 April 2018 Corryong Lions Club – 7pm, Tuesday 17 April 2018 Tallangatta Recreation Reserve – 7pm, Wednesday 18 April 2018

Host: Towong Shire Council

Facilitator: Michelle Kent, Enviroplan

Representation at the three information sessions was as per the table below:

Total attendees recorded Stakeholder representation recorded Mitta Valley 40 plus Steering Group and Landowner/property manager – 19 Sports Precinct Council representatives Community member – 13 Sporting Shooters Association Australia – 3 Ratepayer – 2 Visitor – 1 Hunter – 1 Not recorded – 2 Corryong Lions 27 plus Steering Group and Landowner/property manager – 12 Club Council representatives Community member – 3 Hunter/ hunting-specific industry – 3 Hobby farmer – 1 Small business – 1 Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning – 1 Not recorded – 2 Tallangatta 39 plus Steering Group and Landowner/property manager – 20 Recreation Council representatives Hunter – 9 Reserve Community member – 6 Government body – 2 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party – 2 Hunting specific industry – 1

Information sessions were broken into two main sections:

Section One: Presentation The facilitator presented key information on the Draft Plan and the process that had been undertaken to date. Appendix 3 is a copy of the presentation delivered by the facilitator at all three sessions.

Section Two: Workshop The facilitator ran a workshop to identify the concerns, opportunities and benefits of having a Hunting Tourism Action Plan. The following table records the feedback received as part of that process. The original workshop report provided by the facilitator forms Appendix 4.

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Number of times identified Identified concerns Mitta Valley Corryong Tallangatta Sports Lions Recreation Precinct Club Reserve With Council process and involvement Deer numbers and their impacts on residents should 4 be a focus of the Council, not deer hunting tourism, given that deer impacts were a focus of 2030 consultations. Deer hunting was ranked number 8 and was not a priority. The Draft Plan was developed with no consultation 4 with landholders or ratepayers. Council contribution to the Draft Plan re-directs 3 3 efforts that would be of greater benefit elsewhere. Cost to ratepayers and/or taxpayers. 1 3 No opportunity for submissions. Survey does not 1 2 allow for responses outside the designated survey questions and is unfair. The Draft Plan is not supported by evidence including 1 2 current numbers of hunters, proposed numbers of hunters, and expected economic benefit and economic costs to the community of actions in the plan. The Draft Plan is already determined – actions are 2 non-negotiable and the Draft Plan is a path the Council wants to take irrespective of resident wishes. SWOT Analysis conducted for the implementation of 2 1 the Draft Plan inadequately addresses risks and potential negative impacts. The Draft Plan does not address negative impacts on 2 residents. Even without marketing actions, the Draft Plan still 1 assists with marketing Towong Shire as a deer destination because of the assistance given to businesses that will then market themselves to hunters. Council shouldn’t be funding building and promotion 1 of businesses. The Draft Plan has so many flaws and inconsistencies 1 it should be thrown out. The Steering Group does not include affected 1 residents and/or landholders. Council reception staff did not know locations and 1 times of the meetings. Staff need to be briefed to inform the public. FAQ sheet does not answer the questions identified. 1 Poor consultation process – time allocated in 1 community sessions to public consultation is inadequate.

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Poor consultation process – not publicised 5 adequately and the Draft Plan was developed without community input. Greatest impact is on landholders who have not been 2 adequately consulted. Businesses who benefit from the Draft Plan should be 2 the ones to promote their products. Landholders should chase options themselves. Council shouldn’t be playing a role. Poor facilitation. 1 With potential for increased number of hunters and impacts on private land The Plan will mean more hunters, which will mean 8 6 illegal shooting (shooting on private land without permission, spotlighting, and use of illegal firearms). Increased threats (and costs) to landholders’ property 9 10 4 and stock, and on-farm biodiversity, and increased demand on time to manage impacts of hunters. Biosecurity and biodiversity risks from more hunters 1 going through private property. No compensation for stock shot either by accident or 3 intentionally due to increased numbers of hunters. Council liable for loss of stock and fence damage if the Plan goes ahead. Threats to public safety. Increased numbers of un- 6 4 3 regulated and un-monitored hunting on public land leading to fatalities. People don’t feel safe in the bush anymore. Confrontation with shooters and hunters. 3 Increased hunting activity will decrease peace and 4 quiet lifestyle of Towong Shire. It goes against current livelihoods and focus of bringing families into the Shire. Hunting dogs adding to the wild dog population and 4 associated problems. Creation of an open season period would lead to a 2 high number of guns in a small area. Safe work environment. 1 1 - On farm boundaries with public land. Increased hunting activity will decrease privacy. 1 1 Increased traffic on roads and 4WD tracks from 2 1 additional hunters will require increased maintenance. Where is maintenance funding coming from? Hunters with too many dogs resulting in disturbance 1 to stock. Availability of some private land areas to paying 1 hunters will push illegal shooters and deer into other areas. Marketing the area as a hunting destination will have 1 impacts on landholders not involved in hunting tourism.

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Impacts on liability of landholders allowing access to 1 hunters. With indirect impacts on recreation, tourism and business Negative impacts on other tourism types, particularly 11 1 4 recreational and nature-based tourism, resulting in decreased visitation and economic benefit in other tourism areas. Marketing Towong Shire as a hunting destination will 2 decrease options and access for honest, respectful, local hunters. Concentrating on providing high-end 1 accommodation will decrease availability of camping, which is what many hunters really want. With policing of illegal shooting Under resourcing of police to respond to current 11 1 5 concerns and problems with illegal shooting and threats to landholders. Increased purchases of firearms and ability of police to check licenses. Interface of public and private land means 1 4 1 trespassing occurs as people try to access public land and as 4WD tracks on public land cross into private land. How do farmers control boundaries? With deer numbers The Plan will not result in decreased deer numbers. 3 4 Only 35% of 70% of land in the Shire is able to be 1 hunted. Sustainable hunting will mean an increase in deer 1 numbers. The Draft Plan suggests implementing a hunting 1 ‘season’. This could inhibit culling of deer in the ‘off’ season. With carcass management Carcass remnants left on-site will attract wild dogs 4 3 and foxes. Carcass remnants left on-site will attract wild dogs 2 and foxes, are unsightly and deter other tourists. Other concerns There are enough local hunters for landholders to 5 access and the Plan may jeopardise local (responsible) hunters’ access to land to hunt on. Current maps published are inaccurate and show 1 farms as accessible properties, leading to issues for farmers. Spread of weeds by deer, particularly blackberries. 1 Deer hunters from Melbourne do not spend locally. 1 They buy all their supplies before leaving Melbourne. Pushing illegal and irresponsible shooters to other 1 areas is not a solution. Unregulated free campers that are not subject to 1 having licences checked and do not sign contracts are the problem.

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Benefits from the project will not be realised as the 1 negatives will overwhelm the initiative. Planning restrictions may limit the extent to which 1 landholders are able to cater to hunters. E.g. many are unable to build a second dwelling. Total number of concerns identified 87 34 80

Number of times identified Identified opportunities Mitta Valley Corryong Tallangatta Sports Lions Recreation Precinct Club Reserve There is an opportunity for farmers with deer 2 problems to use local shooters. Develop specific strategies to outlaw/de-incentivise 3 illegal hunting and shooting and encourage legal/responsible hunting. Opportunity to improve the profile of hunters by 1 attracting good people. Local employment and business opportunities 3 including in farm-based guided hunting, cool room rental, stalking, bush walking and horseback hunting. Opportunity to exercise some control over illegal 2 shooters and change the demographic of hunters visiting the Shire. Create a map identifying land areas where hunting is 1 allowed with permissions and no-go zones. Only properties where hunting is permitted would have contact details attached. Supplementary income streams for landholders and 1 businesses. Ability to keep young people in the Shire with more 2 employment opportunities and career options. Potential for hunting-related events. 1 A guiding industry will provide a more professional 1 approach to hunting in general. A landholder could invest in a meat chiller and 1 charge hunters for the use of the chiller. Growing development and demand for hunting 1 opens opportunities for grant money to be sought. Local area access fees for hunting in State Forests 1 could cover costs of additional GMA and Police resources. The GMA could develop a guide and a standardised 1 accreditation process for hunters. Creation of a standardised legal contract pro-forma 1 for landholders to use to get hunters accessing their land to sign. Reduction in illegal shooting. 1 Hunters are going to come and we are better off 1 knowing who is on the property.

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GMA could develop a voluntary code of ethics that 1 hunters agree to abide to. Include respect for property boundaries, respect for domestic stock, responsible disposal of carcasses. Opportunity to have State Parks opened to hunters. Opportunity to have deer classified as a pest. Controlled campsites on controlled land with access 1 fees will encourage economic growth. The Draft Plan is an opportunity to create revenue 1 from a situation that is not going away. Total number of opportunities identified 12 10 5

Number of times identified Identified benefits Mitta Corryong Tallangatta Valley Lions Club Recreation Sports Reserve Precinct Sales for local food outlets, retail outlets, and 3 2 accommodation are increased. Feral animal control. 2 Gain Control over hoon activity. 2 Responsible hunters value hunting and receive 1 benefits. Diversify opportunities for farm businesses. 2 Reduced deer population. 1 Increased tourism. 1 Potential for guiding dollars. 1 Increased employment opportunities and retention 1 of local community members. Total number of benefits identified 8 7 1

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS AND GENERAL STATEMENTS

Further to the feedback received as part of the workshops, attendees also made the following suggestions and general statements. Note that many of the below comments also take the form of a concern, opportunity or benefit, however the attendee did not present them as such in the workshop, rather opted to have them listed as suggestions.

In relation to the process in developing the Draft Plan

Mitta Valley Sports Precinct • The Draft Plan needs to clarify meaning of non-negotiables. Re-release key messages on the intent of the Draft Plan and commitment to consider community input. • A second round of ?? could be added to the Draft Plan development process that allows for formal submissions. An FAQ should accompany any further consultation that responds to the concerns raised during initial community sessions.

Tallangatta Recreation Reserve

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• The Draft Plan needs considerable further consideration of additional policing and resources required. • The Draft Plan needs to consider compensation to landholders for losses incurred by increased numbers of hunters.

In relation to further development of the Draft Plan and other opportunities for content

Mitta Valley Sports Precinct • Further development of the Draft Plan requires a full risk analysis in integration of action to address risks. • Further development of the Draft Plan requires an evaluation and monitoring program to monitor project outcomes and address unforeseen outcomes that may arise. • The Draft Plan needs to further consider avenues for policing and resourcing of policing of illegal hunting and shooting activity and risk of increased hunter and illegal shooter numbers in the area. • Include in the Draft Plan recognition that landowners could charge land-access fees for controlled camp-based hunting. • The Draft Plan could include an action where Council offers controlled carcass dump points. • [Advocacy by Council for the] removal of barriers for game meat processing.

Corryong Lions Club • [Advocacy by Council for] the creation of a full-time Wildlife Officer or Game Warden position with powers of arrest to police illegal shooting and camping. • [Advocacy by Council for] an increase in areas available for hunting, keeping in mind other public land uses. • [Advocacy by Council for] changes to legislation to reduce barriers for utilisation of game meat. • [Advocacy by Council for] changes to legislation to improve levels of carcass removal from State Forests. • [Advocacy by Council for] changes to legislation to include a 3km exclusion zone on public land around private land boundaries. • [Advocacy by Council for] better regulation models for hunting (e.g. US legislation around hunting management as an example). • Emphasise carcass management and avenues for carcass removal in the Draft Plan. • Development of a mechanism to register deer kills and use of meat so meat quality can be measured. • Towong Shire Council form a partnership with pet food processors (Uncle Ben’s) to utilise deer carcasses. • Offer free or subsidised courses in carcass management. • Ensure that discussion on packaging in the Draft Plan includes provision and encouragement for provision of cool storage facilities for hunters to store processed meat while they are in the area. • To reduce risk of increasing hunter numbers in the area the Draft Plan should avoid all actions that include a marketing and promotion of hunting element. • Further consideration of avenues for policing and resourcing of policing of illegal hunting and shooting activity and risk of increased hunter and illegal shooter numbers in the area. • Registration of hunters prior to admittance on private property. Two suggestions were made: That hunters accessing private property must show Sporting Shooters or Australian Deer Association membership; and that the Draft Plan could include provision for a member-based website where hunters can register (for a fee) and landholders can register. Only registered members can access the site. (Note this could be an action undertaken through a partnership approach with either the ADA or SSAA).

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Tallangatta Recreation Reserve • Council to advocate to State Government for extra police resources and compliance officers. • More parks opened up for hunting. • Development and distribution of information on liability of landholders allowing paid access to hunters and on insurance. • Development of a network private landholders to access responsible hunters. • The Draft Plan should include provision for local hunters working with local farmers. • The Draft Plan should be broadened to support all private tourism enterprises. • The Draft Plan should include avenues for local hunters to access training to become a professional shooter. • The Draft Plan should require hunters to have a permit from DELWP to be in parks hunting, for example near Pilot Hill near Batlow. • The Draft Plan should not include any activity around marketing and promotion of the region as a hunting destination.

Other general statements and observations

Mitta Valley Sports Precinct • With new infrared technology, poachers will be able to access and hunt on private property without lights and without anyone knowing they are there. • “It is great to see a pro-active approach to a complex issue. Congratulations Towong.”

Corryong Lions Club • Use of venison, as evidenced across the border in NSW, is lucrative as venison is expensive.

Tallangatta Recreation Reserve • Attendees overwhelmingly did not support the Draft Plan and majority voted they did not want a Hunting Tourism Action Plan at all. • One attendee submitted results of an informal Facebook poll conducted on a motorhome page, indicating that 66% of respondents would avoid the area if it was a deer-hunting destination. 33% would still come. • Many attendees indicated that, should the Hunting Tourism Action Plan development continue, they wanted a second Draft Plan to be released for consultation. However, there was some opposition to the additional cost to ratepayers that this would entail.

INFORMATION SESSIONS FACILITATION PROCESS

There were a number of concerns expressed in regard to the facilitation process: • The facilitator answered queries and defended the Draft Plan on occasion at the information sessions; thus was perceived by some attendees as biased. • The format the facilitator ran the three sessions was not consistent.

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SUBMISSIONS

Submissions were sought and received from the Towong Shire community. In addition, key stakeholder groups were approached via email to provide a submission. Whilst the community response to the call for submissions was considered reasonable, the targeted stakeholder groups’ response rate was low.

A total of 23 submissions were received from 14 individuals and 1 organisation.

For a full list of submissions received, refer to Appendix 5).

KEY MESSAGES

Below are some common messages raised in submissions.

The implementation of a Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan goes against the clean and pure image that Council has invested in to date.

“Over the years Council has spent copious amounts of money on the Shire attributes – clean and pure with its bushwalking, camping, horse riding, fishing, 4WD driving, rail trails walking or cycling”.

“The ideas of this Shire being promoted as a ‘hunting destination’ really flies in the face of the Shire’s ‘pure’ tagline.”

“The adoption of such a strategy as has been proposed will only position Towong Shire as a ‘red neck, gun toting, animal killing destination’. Is this what we really want? I do not want this.”

“Towong Shire promotes itself with the words ‘pure’ and ‘serenity’. Deer hunting strongly contradicts this image.”

The Draft Plan lacks validation.

“The Draft Plan bases many premises on anecdotal data, which renders it fundamentally flawed while it fails to provide hard data, reference and facts. The Draft Plan trades the validity of its ideas on quite a deal of guesswork.”

An increase in hunters is not going to make a positive impact on local economies.

“Hunters with disposable income may be more likely to stop off in towns, take meals at a hotel or sleep in provided accommodation, however their numbers in an increased hunter paradigm, are more likely to be less than, the number of budget hunters or those wanting to do the bush living and camping experience.”

“I don’t think this type of tourism strategy will result in money being spent in the Shire as hunters bring their food, fuel and like to sleep in the bush for obvious reasons.”

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Becoming a hunting destination will have a negative impact on other tourism and recreational activities undertaken within the Shire.

“The Draft Plan failed to account for any negative costs associated with a drop off in tourism from other parts of the tourist market, as a result of the real (or perceived) fears of using bushland where there were hunters, dogs, guns and bullets that didn’t know about.”

“The Shire of Towong has for years promoted our area as pristine clean and green for tourists to enjoy, whether young families riding bikes, walking or seeing wildlife, or older people wanting a quiet and peaceful holiday. I believe they will be put off coming to, or stopping in our Shire knowing that hunting is promoted.”

“I believe that the general and public promotion of Towong Shire as a ‘Deer Hunting Destination’ will create an adverse image (perceived or genuine) of the Shire as a tourism destination for other potential visitors and tourists to the region.”

“We are very much against your proposed deer hunting idea. We run [local tourism businesses] and neither of these businesses will benefit from deer hunting. Our target market is families, reunions, get together s and weddings. Whenever our guests hear gunshots at night or see spotlights at night they are frightened. We are happy with the success of our current marketing and increase in clients and only see negative effects from deer hunting.”

“The draft proposal does not consider the potential economic cost to existing or potential tourism strategies and promotions, such as bushwalking, fishing and the rail trail, to name a few, should the Shire gain a reputation of being a hunting mecca and other tourists become reluctant to visit.”

An increase in any hunters will create an even more unsafe environment for the community.

“I want a safe environment so I can go about my duties when mustering or fixing fences along the bush line without attracting a stray bullet. I think the Towong Shire has a duty of care to all ratepayers, residents and visitors to our area to provide a safe and pleasant environment to work and visit.”

“Deer shooting is already nearly out of control on public roads and public land.”

“If more hunters are encouraged to come here and shoot deer, then more irresponsible hunters will come here with an increase in the problems they create.”

“Why has the focus of the deer hunting Tourism Plan been on the supposed economic benefits? Why is there no discussion of the non-economic issues such as the social and psychological effects of the proposed increase in deer hunters? Numbers of farmers and other ratepayers who use the bush, are already not feeling safe, to fence in the back paddock or walk in the bush.”

“I believe my safety will be compromised when I go about my daily work with my husband when we are in close proximity to the bush on our property. It will be only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed by a bullet fired by a deer hunter without awareness of what’s around.”

“I do not believe it is possible to encourage only responsible hunters without encouraging irresponsible hunters.”

“The Shire needs to be a great place to live – for all its residents - not just a nice place to visit.”

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“Already some horse-riders and walkers are not using the bush, as they fear being shot by hunters.”

“With an ‘open all season’ approach, I believe numbers of shooters will naturally increase and safety to shooters, landowners and livestock will be jeopardised.”

Community members have concern with the expense Council has spent on the project to date.

“I’m appalled at the cost presented, for three meetings and a little preparation time $4285 and all the associated costs not presented e.g. other working party costs?”

“Towong Shire has repeatedly told its ratepayers and residents that it is strapped for cash. Funding this strategy is not a worthwhile use of ratepayers’ money.”

Council is not going to compensate negatively impacted residents.

“The Council is not going to compensate me for the losses and the stress of spot lighters, poachers on our property that I have incurred after the August press release inferring that hunters come to Towong Shire and hunt deer.”

“The draft is a wish list and does not address in any way the negatives of a Hunting Tourism Strategy.”

“If other businesses suffer a financial loss due [to] the area becoming a ‘hunting destination’ being promoted by Towong Shire Council, will Towong Shire Council reimburse those businesses for their loss?”

“I will consider the Towong Shire Council responsible for any loss of livestock or damage to property by trespassers in areas of deer populations.”

“A big concern for us [as an ethical hunting family] with the current plan and community’s current response is that we as local hunters will face backlash and be categorised negatively along with those ‘hunters’ [that] choose to engage in disrespectful, unethical and illegal practices.”

“What happens if a farmer loses livestock, i.e.: shot – how is that farmer to be compensated or does it just become collateral damage?”

The process undertaken in producing the Draft Plan was inadequate and unreasonable.

“There has been no cost-benefit analysis. Why not?”

“While the survey sought to gain feedback from the community, the questions were phased in such a way as to lead the respondent to believe that the plan as a certainty and that deer hunting tourism in Towong Shire was a foregone conclusion.”

“The plan itself was revealed at the Tallangatta Community Consultation to be 2 years out of date and not in-line with the current views of those working to get this Action Plan into action.”

“I believe that if a different approach were taken initially in putting forward this proposal that the community would have received it in a more positive manner and be less up in arms about it.”

“The lack of initial consultancy with the landholders and ratepayers creating further divide between the Council and its community.”

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“The shire missed the first step of good governess (governance), with no consultative process with its ratepayers. This was very disappointing.”

There is very little community support for a Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

“Strong community support, as cited numerous times in the Draft has been gauged from where? I do not believe this to be true.”

“As was seen at the community meetings, there is not widespread community support for this Plan.”

“Landholders want the total eradications of deer, encouraging development of business to cater for sustainable harvest and long-term continuance of the hunting industry is diametrically opposed to the objectives of landholders. Maintaining and supporting a ‘never to be stopped but ever-growing service industry for increasing numbers of deer hunters’ is not the direction that the majority of landholders would like the Council to take.”

“One of the critical success factors is ‘Strong community support for recreational hunting’. To date this seems to have not been met.”

“Why are only a few people who stand to gain financially being considered over a majority of landholders?”

Concern related to the engagement process.

“A document called ‘Negotiables and non-negotiables’ was prepared by Towong Shire Council staff which it appears was way out of line and beyond their brief.”

“The Deer Hunting Survey was a biased survey and did not allow the exploration or assessment of the negative aspects of this proposal. The survey did not assess whether the proposal was supported or not by the wider community.”

“No equal time was allowed by the [information sessions] meeting organiser/s for a presentation by those against this proposal.”

“The [information sessions] ‘facilitator’ hired by Towong Shire Council, at great cost, was not neutral and did not facilitate in the true sense of the term.”

“The worst aspect was her [the facilitator’s] inability to project and command proceedings.”

“The publicity around the survey has been very poor.”

“No provision was made to lodge objections. You should have treated this as you would have treated a Town Planning application, with proper regard to your dominion.”

“I was appalled at the blatantly biased online feedback survey for the deer hunting proposal. I found it to be structured in such a way that is was already assumed there was full support for the strategy and the survey was merely looking at how to tweak it to improve it.”

An increase in hunters will require an increase in policing/governing resources.

“Who will pay for this increased need for policing, control and surveillance?”

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“Why is the Shire promoting a strategy that will encourage visitors who require greater surveillance and police input to keep them honest? Ratepayers may question the Shire’s commitment to their needs.”

“Why would a Shire actively promote a policy that will need extra police numbers to keep law and order on weekends and public holidays, just to protect their rate payers?”

Individual businesses who wish to pursue hunting activities as an income stream should be exploring the potential at their own expense.

“If businesses and individuals see the opportunities for increasing the deer hunting as worthwhile, shouldn’t they be exploring this at their expense?”

“If private business and land owners want to tap into the hunting tourist dollar, then that is fantastic and credit to them for the initiative, but to have it as a shire wide strategy supported by rate payer dollars is wrong.”

“I do support local businesses and land holders tapping into the deer hunting market in a private capacity.”

Council should consider lobbying government to assist with the current deer population numbers.

“Deer are a feral, pest animal. Tagging them as a game species is disingenuous. Maybe Towong Shire could lobby to have deer reclassified as a pest feral species.”

“I do support Towong Shire viewing deer as a massive pest problem (not a game species or hunting tourism draw card) and actively working towards a solution to substantially reduce their numbers in the Shire.”

“Time and resources would be better spent lobbying the State Government to address the escalating deer numbers and the rogue hunters – both of which are an increasing problem and concern to landholders, especially those that have a private/public interface.”

Hunting tourism in Towong Shire has economic development potential.

“Having a FOCUSED hunting initiative could have been a real boom for the shire and for economic development.”

“Part of what the Shire Council is to do is attract new business, new development and it’s not easy in a Shire like ours!”

“I hope my involvement as a landowner/tourism operator will eventually bring additional visitations to my venue, obviously providing added dollars to the Upper Murray economy.”

A hunting plan has the potential to address some deer related land management issues.

“Encourage, facilitate and support a local hunter and farmer relationship or develop a register that enables farmer to access a contact list of local hunters and invite them to their property to eradicate the feral deer impeding on their farm."

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Redirect funds towards other tourism and recreational activities.

“Expend more energy on developing (bush) tracks, huts, riding, school camps etc.; cater for more genuine tourists and not the rabble you are enticing. This Shire has beauty, many stories and a fascinating history. Promote that and back up these ‘Pure Serenity’ and similar signs.”

“Other tourism groups that could, and should, be explored include: motorhome/caravan/grey nomad touring, horse riding, mountain biking, 4wd touring, motorbike touring (sealed and unsealed roads), canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hang-gliding (Corryong is a world class site for this activity), recreational aviation, triathlons, rail trail activities, hiking, art/photography nature/yoga/meditation/health retreats and weekends.”

“There are many other ways that Towong Shire can entice more tourism to this area that are user friendly to many more people. Grey nomads (advertise free camping sites and attractions to this area). Rail trail (encourage businesses to utilise the rail trail by setting up refreshments along the trail such as coffee, small meals, even boutique wineries etc.), advertise the pure air etc. to entice more families into the area are just a few.”

Council should be putting its efforts into advocating for change to current legislation.

“If the Shire generally wants to improve the economy, returns and bottom line for its ratepayers it could put its energy into removing impediments and encouraging professional commercial unitization of the deer population. While the Shire cannot do this of itself it could seek change at the State political level and with the regulatory authorities.”

An increase in hunters to Towong Shire will impede on agricultural biosecurity measures.

“Biosecurity on farm is now considered of National importance. How can farmers guarantee their farms biosecurity when they have hunters and dogs trespassing on their land?”

“Illegal incursions by hunters onto private freehold land already occurs and jeopardises the integrity of industry systems, e.g. LPA, and can lead to loss of market access.”

Other comments.

“My proposal to you all is that you refocus your purpose, direction and the way you approach this action plan going forward in the hope that more community support will follow.”

“In closing the feeling is that the farming community is really being forgotten about as tourism becomes the prime focus for Council. I think it is an insult to the farming communities’ shrewdie to continue with the Hunting Tourism Action Plan when Council should be supporting local farmers and shooters. After all Towong Shire is a farming community and has been for generations.”

“The Deer Hunting Tourism Strategy Plan needs to be stopped immediately and Council needs to publicly declare the draft as not being endorsed by the general public and that the general public is against more rogue deer hunters.”

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SURVEY (ON-LINE AND HARD COPY)

An on-line survey (Appendix 6) using Survey Monkey ran for a six-week period from the start of April to mid-May. Links to the Survey were available from the Towong Shire Council website, social media and email direct email campaigns. Links were well shared by community organisations.

The on-line survey was opened 159 times, with a completion rate of 59%. An additional 14 hard copy surveys were completed. Copies of the survey in a hard copy were available from the Tallangatta Library, Murray Goulburn in Eskdale and the Corryong Library.

On-line respondents typically spent 6 minutes completing a survey.

Question 1: Have you read the Draft Hunting Tourism Acton Plan? Answered: 159 Skipped: 0

No (15%)

Yes (85%)

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Question 2: How importantly do you rate the following strategies within the current Draft Plan? Answered: 119 Skipped: 40

Customising accommodation

facilities to attract hunters

Secondary product development

Development and potential accreditation of hunting guides

Managing land access

Exploring the potential of an annual deer hunting season

Addressing restrictions to game

meat processing

Marketing

Promotional partnerships and product packaging

Deer hunting outfitter partnerships

Question 3: Do you have additional ideas or strategies that could be included in the Plan? If so, please tell us about your idea? Answered: 67 Skipped: 92

Below are representative responses only; refer to Appendix 7 for the complete list.

Many respondents took the opportunity to respond to this open-ended question to express their lack of support for the Draft Plan and/or process.

Some of the identified additional ideas or strategies that could be included in the Plan were:

• Tailoring businesses to better accommodate ensure some sort of stable quality. Any deer hunters; provide firearm lockup, dog kennels, that do not meet the requirements can still meat processing/cleaning facilities be eaten and shared with family and friends • Better access to hunting land, especially • Open more public land to licensed hunters fringe country with permission of landholders would do wonders to ensure a vehicle can be utilised within minutes of a clean kill and thus

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• Registration of who is hunting where, for living on the bush lines. Exclusion zones need safety, better policing of illegal hunting to be enforced. Who do we contact when activities living remotely we have issues with these hunters on or near our land. Perhaps hunters • Keep designated deer hunting areas at least must register their movements so if there is 1km from boundaries of private property any trouble they can be identified. Therefore • [Lobby for] heavier penalties for illegal landholders would know who and how many hunting are in their area. Also as often there is no • [Lobby for] sufficient game management mobile service in these areas it would also personel to ensure compliance with hunting assist in the event of an accident regulations • Commercial deer processing plant to turn the • A local farmer/hunter register to address the carcasses into a useful by-product such as pet deer issue in the Shire food and fertilizer. This comment recognises the significant hurdles that must be • The hunting areas could be managed like the overcome in order to make the meat NSW R licence, where bookings for certain available for human consumption areas are made to ensure the safety of other • hunters if the areas are not as large as the Commercially licensed hunters to cull deer alpine park • No promotion from Council avenues - • More campgrounds in the area Council can be an enabler but shouldn’t be seen as a promoter • Hunting information package, including maps • and camps, new campsites Property that joins state park be fully deer fenced as to draw a straight line as to where • ‘Hunter friendly’ local businesses they can and can’t go • Multi-function outfitters offering fishing and • Providing clear access "hunting maps" to hunting options registered deer hunting clubs and • Coolrooms for hunters to tag and hang their associations so that their members know meat rather than relying on eskys what is available and are encouraged to attend this area. • Hunting expos.... such a big drawcard for a • variety of possible events and expertise in the "Accrediting" deer hunters through a area. registration and badging process so that those who are hunting in our area can be • Taxidermy clearly identified as passing the muster and • Retail /online camping store set up as a are OK. physical place to book meet and purchase • Entering into a commercial partnership with gear carriers and processors (e.g. Uncle Bens in • Clear mapping to provide to hunters of Wodonga) to provide well publicised pick up designated hunting areas, access conditions points for deer carcasses in the Shire, so as to and define properties and no go zones to encourage deer hunters to NOT leave protect livestock/fencing from trespass and carcasses in the bush for wild dogs to feed over-shots. Coordination with police and on. rangers to restrict and penalise non • Encourage local tourism accommodation accredited/licensed hunters or those that suppliers to welcome accredited deer break the code hunters. • Maybe focus on local hunting community • Obtaining the approval of the local Farmers and help them make a living from the deer Federation people to endorse accredited • I believe for the safety of YOUR ratepayers hunters. more consideration must be given to those

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Question 4: If you rated any of the draft strategies as ‘Not at all important’, please tell us why? Answered: 56 Skipped: 103

Below are representative responses only; refer to Appendix 8 for the complete list.

In response to customising accommodation facilities to attract hunters

“Accommodation I believe in pubs etc. could become an issue with alcohol and firearms. Designated camping areas within the hunting areas and also designated accommodation within the town that has the suitable requirements for hunters like areas to hang wet clothing, hang meat without being offensive, stainless steel bench tops to clean up skins or trophies again without being offensive to the public or in plain view. As we all know not everyone likes hunting deer and I believe it’s best to keep the butchering and trophy prep away from the public eye if there are people that find it offensive.”

In response to exploring the potential of an annual deer hunting season

“Annual Deer hunting season - the status quo should be sufficient.”

“A restricted season on Game will reduce hunting opportunities and thus reduce the revenue opportunity.”

“Deer may be hunted year round in VIC, formalising a hunting season could restrict impact management.”

In response to addressing restrictions to game meat processing

“Unsure about lifting restrictions on deer for processing as it would need to be heavily tested to ensure it was clean of any diseases for processing. I understand a lot of hunters feed their families pets and friend with what they hunt but turning it into a commercial process where food regulations are so strong to prevent mass contamination is high risk.”

Generalised responses

The respondents of the comments below responded “not at all important” to four or more listed strategies. Below are representative responses only; refer to Appendix 8 for the complete list.

“I strongly believe this is not a worthwhile project for our Shire. The money spent on this could be much better spent on more pressing problems e.g. road maintenance, recycling, youth activities, health & wellbeing. I don’t believe a vast majority of ratepayers and businesses will not benefit from these hunters coming to our area. All hunters I know come up and head bush to camp. Many do not access any services you list. Also, will campsites and areas be policed? If yes by who, the local police do not have the resources to go around ensuring all hunters are doing “the right thing” e.g. storing firearms and ammunition correctly, only hunting in approved areas, ensuring if animals are shot are they being killed humanely or are they left wounded.“

“I live on a farm and I am aware of the problem of deer on local farms and in the Forrest I think deer are best managed by local shooters and farmers. Does Towong Shire wish to be known as a shooters mecca? We have much better attributes to promote than encouraging more shooters into the area. I find it quite disturbing. We certainly don’t want shooters and we don’t want hunting dogs. We have a serious wild dog problem now.”

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“Would not answer any of them because any reply would endorse your collective thought bubble. Here is my story:- 12 ac, spotlight within 40m of house 1 deer shot on my place - 3 voices against mine 2 wombats I know of - one I had to put down, shot in the neck, starving (good photo!) Gun-shy dog wakes me up at all hours Bullet hole in caravan (which is on the block) One group uses "my" UHF channel One local (breeder??) looking for three lost hunting dogs Two cowboys walked up to a semi tame deer, shot, missed, run it down in car on property where they were told not to go.”

“Our accommodation is doing well without hunters. We have trouble maintaining a peaceful and tranquil environment already without extra gun shots nearby at all hours of the night. Duck hunting is a bloody nightmare with shooting starting well before dawn - why would anyone suggestion adding to our misery. The hunters I know sleep in a swag during the day and hunt at night - they don't want to spend money.”

“Deer should be designated a pest species and farmers should be allowed to hunt anytime but most importantly Government needs to clean up its land - feral animals and plants out of control and impacting on farmers. None of this needs Shire funding. This is all to benefit private enterprise. Deer control is important but this is a problem of the government making. Why are deer a protected species? What other non-native animal has this status? The government has allowed, actually encouraged, the spread of deer on Crown Land because they have been too slow to perceive the huge and rapid population explosion as a threat. They have allowed shooting bodies to take over control of the whole issues because they have no will to do anything about it. Firstly, change the law to make deer a pest animal, not a protected one. Change the law in Victoria to be able to use deer meat for human consumption and pet food and encourage it. What a waste of good meat when shooters take the antlers and leave the carcasses further feeding wild dogs and creating more problems.”

“Need to spend Council and Government money on better roads, lower rates and better services to your Community.”

“Think you need to build the infrastructure and market it well, it’s untapped at the moment.”

“Not in favour of bring in hunters.”

“The local community will make minimal money from hunters as they come completely prepared. Guns, ammo, tents, fully equipped 4wd, dogs, knives, food and drink they have it all ready before they hit the Shire.”

“I find the plan is off topic to the real issues at hand.”

“Because you shouldn’t be inviting the country to come here and start shooting everything.”

“I don't believe the Draft Plan to be something that will benefit the Towong Shire.”

“Deer hunting season is asking for trouble, marketing hunting in the area is also asking for trouble and not what our community want bring money in, in other safer ways that aren't risking people's lives.”

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Question 5: What do you see as the biggest barrier to the success of the Plan and why? Answered: 78 Skipped: 81

Below are representative responses only; refer to Appendix 9 for the complete list.

“Illegal hunting and policing it. Resources.”

“People feel hunting is wrong and won’t see long term economic gain from it. People are too small minded.”

“People don’t like hunting and would see Council involvement as a waste of money.”

“The Greens and the notion of locking up the bush and leaving it, etc.”

“One difficulty is the amount of illegal hunting activities taking place. If this cannot be regulated properly then neither could an increase in hunting traffic.”

“Anti-hunting agenda pushing in the opposite direction.”

“Getting community support.”

“The community. I don’t think the engagement has been strong enough. A lot of people are not happy about this concept. Farmers, local hunters, residence. I mean how does it actually benefit the people that live here. Who wants to live next to a dog kennel for hunting dogs? That has to be the worst idea of the lot.”

“The lack of commercial intellect and sound commercial statistics that would put paid to this nonsense. This is not a strategy it is childish and wishful thinking. Show me the cost benefit analysis, show me the percentage of shooters who hire guides, hire vehicles, stay in accommodation of any type rather than 'under canvas' show me the viable industry figures from anywhere in Australia that support this garbage. Show me the figures for when the majority of shooters arrive, day of week, time of day, how they would access 'these businesses' set up to service the industry... How do these businesses remain viable out of season or on other days?”

“The red-neck element who illegally spotlight, poach and ignore land owners rights. Unfortunately, this element does a great deal of damage to the sport and steps must be taken to bring them to account, otherwise non-hunting people have the misconception that all hunters just want to shoot animals and disrespect the rule of law.”

“This question implies that the plan can be a success – yes it will be for a few – but not for everyone!! The plan does not adequately address the concerns of the majority of residents and ratepayers who will be impacted by it. The plan can never address the concerns of landholders regarding compliance of hunters to their legal obligations. The plan can never adequately address – for landholders the issues regarding their own safety/trespassing/poaching/illegal entrance etc… because it is not in the Shires sphere to make legislative changes that would put some monitoring and regulating of hunting within the Shires public land, in place.”

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Question 6: What do you see as the greatest opportunity in relation to developing Hunting Tourism in Towong Shire? Answered: 79 Skipped: 80

Below are representative responses only; refer to Appendix 10 for the complete list.

Many respondents took the opportunity to respond to this open-ended question to express their lack of support for the Draft Plan and/or process.

Opportunities identified inlcuded:

“A local Game abattoir. Improved access for hunters.”

“There are great opportunities to lobby state government to have deer declared vermin and get funding for a control/eradication program like the wild dog program.”

“Provide a point of difference to other hunting destinations.”

“Good for farmers as an additional stream of income.”

“Getting funding.”

“Retail outlets including Food, Fuel, Accommodation and Associated hunting gear outlets would realise the greatest opportunities. Also add on income for farmers who allow access to their land.”

“National ad campaigns.”

“Guided hunting tours and accommodation.”

“Additional visitation. More visitors to our accommodation providers and shops in towns. It’s exciting.”

“Local employment. Butchers, taxidermy, land access, accommodation. All working together to see what is a natural resource like any other tourism activity.”

“I’d like to see a pest control part in place for the farmers as well so they can either make a second income off the meat etc. or engage legal registered hunters too do it and maybe they get a fee for letting them harvest the meat etc.”

“Addressing the issue of large numbers of the introduced species.”

“Greater visitor numbers. More suitable accommodation options may see more people accompanying a hunter, not hunting themselves, using other activities etc.”

“The promotion of the use of venison as a regular addition to people’s diets and the offal/offcuts as feed for dogs.”

“Sell the hunting experience, not trophies - it has the broadest impact on deer populations, the greatest value to the most people, and carries the least liability and admin burden.”

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Question 7: Please indicate your age. Answered: 91 Skipped: 68

55-64 (17.58%) 65 plus (13.9%)

Rather not say

18-24 (1.10%)

45-54 (18.68%)

25-34 (24.18%)

35-44 (20.88%)

Question 8: Please tell us your gender. Answered: 91 Skipped: 68

Rather not say (6.59%)

Male (58.24%)

Female (35.16%)

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Question 9: Please tell us where you live. Answered: 90 Skipped: 69

Responses received:

Location No. Percentage Bellbridge 1 1.11% Bethanga 2 2.22% Biggara 2 2.22% Burrowye 1 1.11% Colac Cola 2 2.22% Corryong 9 10.00% Cudgewa 2 2.22% Dartmouth 1 1.11% Eskdale 7 7.78% Guys Forest 1 1.11% Jarvis Creek 1 1.11% Koetong 1 1.11% Mitta Mitta 6 6.67% Nariel Valley 4 4.44% Old Tallangatta 1 1.11% Tallangatta 13 14.44% Tallangatta Valley 8 8.89% Towong 1 1.11% Other 27 30.00%

Question 10: Which best describes your current occupation? Answered: 68 Skipped: 91

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

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Question 11: How did you hear about the Hunting Tourism Action Plan consultation? Answered: 68 Skipped: 91

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Those that indicated ‘other’ mostly listed social media, ABC Radio or ‘word of mouth’ as their source.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Council’s Facebook page was a key tool in promoting the community engagement process and provided a channel to receive feedback. Council’s hunting tourism call to action posts were shared to various public pages from which feedback/comments were noted. Feedback related to both the Draft Plan and elements of the engagement process:

See below a selection of random comments made on Facebook.

Tallangatta Village Voice:

“Local Police are not in favour of this proposal. Hope they are allowed to express their concerns and thoughts. Have they been invited?”

“I'm a local Hunter/Shooter, I can see the pros and cons to this but unfortunately the cons will out way the pros the Tallangatta and surrounding area already has its fair share of so called hunters consistently doing the wrong thing and also some so called Guides as well might I add. The poaching around this area is already bad enough some locals some blow-ins. Unfortunately it's the same old story you may have 8 out for 10 people do the correct thing but the other 2 will ruin it. I hunt a fair few local farmer’s property that's private land and some of it is consistently pouched by people trespassing. All I can see if this proposal passes is more and more land getting pouched more gates getting ripped off there hinges and more stock getting shot it's the nature of the beast that's just my opinion but it's that of a local hunter.”

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“We are not America... our gun laws are different. The tourism report isn’t about making our area unsafe because we have hunting grounds it’s about encouraging businesses to open and thrive. Any taxidermists out there looking to start a business in the area? Camping and supply shop? Ways to bring in extra economy to help the shire grow not encourage rogue and dangerous shooting. It may not happen, it may be ruled out as not feasible but if we don’t investigate the opportunities of an obvious practice that is happening in our back yard how can you assume the worst-case scenario will come from it??? Having a focused hunting tourism action plan helps uncover all risks involved to help the shire and its residents make informed decisions... adding fear to the process isn't helpful. In 2013 Victoria govt. Carried out Victoria’s economic impact of hunting report, and it was found that the total economic impact came to a total of 439 million dollars and supported almost 3,500 full time equivalent jobs directly and indirectly across Victoria. 40% of this spending occurs in Melbourne and 60% from regional Victoria....”

Daniel Young, Victorian MP for Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party:

“Some of those complaining seem totally unaware that we have been hunting those hills, legally and without problems, for decades. If they think that hunting will detract from other tourism ventures, they should be reminded that towns like Bright, Myrtleford, Porepunkah and Wandiligong are located in some of the highest-profile hunting areas in NE Victoria, and suffer no shortage of tourists.”

Australian Deer Association:

“Why can’t SA do this? Deer are being slaughtered at taxpayers’ expense and left to rot. Wake up government.”

WIN News Albury:

“The irony here is that it wasn’t that long ago that people were complaining about hunters not doing enough to reduce the number of deer. As usual, people will complain about one thing but don’t want it in their backyard. Encourage & welcome hunters because poachers will always be willing to go onto others property & illegally shot & destroy property.”

“I hunt down there. What is wrong with me spending my money in the shire? I would spend more money in 5 days down there than most of the locals would spend in a month. Sometimes accommodation if not camping, Heaps of fuel, pub feeds and buying food in the shops. I also take the family with me on some trips, so add 3 other mouths to that. I love the Towong Shire, this anti- hunting sort of crap is not news.”

“Very happy for hunters to hunt legally, but when fences are continually being cut by illegal hunters, bio security of farming property is threatened and livestock shot dead regularly, it's not ok. Not a one sided argument. Just genuine concerns being raised by landholder already dealing with the negative impacts.”

WIN News also conducted a public poll on its Facebook page, asking the question “Do you think deer hunting should be used to boost tourism numbers?” The poll generated more than 3,500 votes, with the following result: No – 21% Yes – 79%

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RECOMMENDATION

In reviewing feedback received from the community and stakeholders throughout the engagement process, the Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Steering Group recommends:

1. Towong Shire Council does not pursue the development of a Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

2. Council considers: − Advocating to State Government and relevant authorities to gain support in addressing the communities’ issues with illegal hunters Promoting current support available for residents facing issues with illegal hunters (Rural Watch, Neighbourhood Watch etc.) − Supporting relevant economic developments that arise organically (new business development or business growth/diversification) − Advocating for a communication plan be developed by Government Agencies And supporting the proposed plan’s activities − Contributing to and supporting relevant State Government policy development/change − Working with MAV to consult and advocate action through the State Government’s Deer Management Strategy − Facilitating the development of a local deer management group.

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APPENDIX 1

COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN

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Hunting Tourism Action Plan Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan

March 2018

Contents

Introduction...... 3 Engagement principles ...... 5 Decision/ project scope ...... 6 Community profile ...... 9 Key messages ...... 10 Key contacts and spokespersons ...... 12 Stakeholder identification and analysis ...... 13 Engagement activities ...... 19 Community engagement action plan...... 20 Evaluation plan ...... 22

Hunting Tourism Action Plan – Engagement Plan Page 2 of 22

Introduction

Background

Towong Shire is home to a range of pest animals including foxes, rabbits and wild dogs. In addition, there is an abundance of game deer. The pest animals and deer have a serious impact on local natural flora and fauna, as well as impacting on farming properties where they destroy fences, consume fodder and graze paddocks intended for domestic livestock. The quantity and quality of deer in particular has made Towong Shire a popular destination for recreational hunters. Hunting tourism was identified in the Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan as an activity with strong potential, capable of leveraging the Shire’s abundant deer population and scenic natural environment. Hunting tourism was recognised as having potential to significantly boost visitation to the region. The Mitta Valley community has also identified hunting tourism as a potential tourism opportunity, with a small number of operators already active in this space. Opportunities include guided hunting, accommodation tailored to hunters, and facilitated access to private land populated with deer. In addition, various auxiliary services have the potential to benefit.

Development of the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan

To explore the options for recreational hunting in Towong Shire and the opportunity that this presents for tourism, Tourism North East (TNE) collaborated with Towong Shire Council (TSC) to prepare a Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan. The Draft Plan was developed following consultation with TSC, TNE, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local industry that are active in the hunting tourism space. The Draft Plan was presented at an Ordinary Council Meeting in August 2017, where Councillors provided in principle support and authorisation to seek feedback on the Draft Plan from key stakeholders and the broader Towong Shire community.

Hunting Tourism Steering Group

Following the decision by Councillors to provide in principle support to the Draft Plan and release it for consultation, a Hunting Tourism Steering Group was established.

The objectives of the Steering Group are to:  Review and resolve the Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan  Advocate the Towong Shire Council Hunting Tourism Action Plan  Facilitate community consultation  Prioritise and seek implementation of actions identified within the final Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan  Monitor delivery of all actions  Periodically review the outcomes of actions implemented.

Hunting Tourism Action Plan – Engagement Plan Page 3 of 22

The Steering Group includes representatives from:  Agriculture Victoria  Community members  Hancock Victorian Plantations  Landcare  North East Catchment Management Authority  NSW Department of Industry  Parks Victoria  Tourism North East  Towong Shire Council  Upper Murray Business Inc.  Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources  Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning  Victoria Police.

Hunting Tourism Action Plan – Engagement Plan Page 4 of 22

Engagement principles

The purpose of this Engagement Plan is to gather feedback from key stakeholders and community members to ensure the final Tourism Hunting Action Plan considers and addresses the broad range of opportunities and issues surrounding hunting in the Shire.

The consultation program will meet the following five principles:

4. Feedback opportunities will reach a diverse range of key stakeholders and community members: In addition to the Plan affecting a broad geographical area, key stakeholders and community members represent a range of interests, industries and demographics. All key stakeholders and community members will have access to feedback opportunities.

5. All feedback will be considered: Key stakeholders and broader community members must be confident that their feedback is being sought genuinely and that it will be taken seriously.

Hunting Tourism Action Plan – Engagement Plan Page 5 of 22

Decision/ project scope

Purpose: To identify stakeholders’ influence in the development of the revised and final Towong Shire Council Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

The table below list aspects that are either negotiable or non-negotiable in relation to developing the final Plan. It does not relate to the implementation of strategies identified within the Plan.

Item Negotiable Not Negotiable GENERAL 1.1 Community representation on Steering Group 1.2 Requirement for a Plan 1.3 Title of the Plan 1.4 Timeframe for the development of the Plan HUNTING TOURISM PLAN CONTENT 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Strategic Context 2.3 Victorian Hunting Industry 2.4 Game Hunter Profile 2.5 Competitive Landscape 2.6 Towong Shire Situation Analysis 2.7 Hunting Tourism Plan Objectives 2.8 Hunting Tourism Objectives 2.9 Promotional Opportunities 2.10 Funding 2.11 Next Steps HUNTING TOURISM PLAN ACTION CONTENT Addition of actions Work with the Australian Deer Association to survey its database to better understand and prioritise the facilities/services that it would most value in a ‘hunting friendly business’. Using the above survey, determine criteria for a ‘hunting friendly business’ program and any associated processes and controls. How the survey results are used is negotiable. Identify Towong Shire based accommodation operators that have an interest in attracting hunting tourists, and also have capacity to diversify their offering. Work with these businesses to meet the identified criteria. Scope the potential for a group buy of storage cool rooms/meat storage and gun storage within the context of the hunting friendly business program. If potential exists, consider government funding that might be available to subsidise a group buy if required.

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Advocate for standardised guide accreditation with particular consideration given to leveraging State Government focus on improving hunting opportunities and promoting responsible hunting. Formally approach the Game Management Authority about trialling a guiding accreditation program in Towong Shire. Scope what Towong Shire Council’s role could be within a guide pilot program with assistance from existing local guides, with consideration for how a partnership with HVP could assist with the process. Identify ways in which to grow and enhance the guide offering in Towong Shire, including developing a view of how the industry could support career pathways for local youth and support entrepreneurial efforts for businesses interested in this space. Determine and implement a model to facilitate both immediate and long-term access to greater amounts of private land for hunting tourism. Unify and promote private land hunting access network as part of a concerted marketing effort, looking at how it can be positioned as a destination strength for Towong Shire. Develop a three-year scalable event plan to officially launch and celebrate the start of the proposed season. Leverage State Government’s commitment to using social media and other technology to promote seasonal hunting arrangements. Work with peak industry bodies and Government (as per its Sustainable Hunting Action Plan) to advocate for the facilitation of local game meat processing. If legislation changes, look to take the lead in developing meat processing as supporting hunting tourism services. And consider how Towong Shire Council and operators can leverage broader regional efforts and their focus on the food and wine sector. Following product development, develop a three-year marketing and communications strategy to take the offering to market. This strategy should consider the targeting of messages and products in line with the hunting tourist profiles outlined in Section 4 of the Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

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Leverage any State Government initiatives associated with its Sustainable Hunting Action Plan that support improving hunting information (including mapping), driving awareness of hunting locations, and promoting regional hunting opportunities through targeted communication. Identify a network of existing operators who have complementary product for the hunting tourists. Work with Tourism North East to deliver packaging workshops to assist businesses in developing product in the hunting space. Determine the potential for the development of a single call to action for packaging, which could be managed in-region, online or via a partnership with an established outfitter or tourism operator. Bring new operators into the marketing and promotions space as product development comes to fruition. Identify the top outfitters servicing the Victorian market and work with them to ensure that the Towong Shire hunting tourism offering is included and well represented within their portfolio. Consider an incentive program designed to encourage outfitters with a multi-destination portfolio to prioritise visitation to the Towong Shire. Towong Shire Council develop a Hunting Tourism Steering Group to review and endorse the recommendations of this strategy. The Steering Group should develop a supporting business plan that prioritises and timelines the actions highlighted in this document, as well as identifying key action proponents. The proponents should then properly scope and cost each action, and report back to the Steering Group. Steering Group should then lead efforts to secure budget and support for prioritised actions.

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Community profile

Mitta Valley - Mitta Mitta, Eskdale and Dartmouth

The alpine landscape of the upper reaches of the valley experience snow most years and give way to forested ranges and valleys. The Mitta Mitta River traverses the valley and feeds into Dartmouth Dam. Together, the River and Dam are 2 of 8 nationally important wetlands in the area. Below the Dam, the River meanders through extensively cleared floodplains and rolling hills. The landscape in the lower reaches of the valley supports dairy farms, mixed farms, cropping and alternative enterprises such as hazelnuts and hops. The total population of the Mitta Valley is 517, down from 591 in 2006. A relatively even split between females and males, 8.7% were born outside of Australia, and 1.1% identify as having an Indigenous heritage. The median age is 47 with 49% of the population over the age of 55. The vast majority of the population entered the workforce following school with 62% now employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. 54% work full-time whilst 32% work in a part-time capacity.

Tallangatta - Including Tallangatta Valley

Tallangatta lies on the banks of the Mitta arm of Lake Hume, approximately 38kms southeast of Wodonga along the Murray Valley Highway. The current location of the town was established in the 1950s; the town being required to move from 8km east to allow the expansion of Lake Hume. The agricultural community of the Tallangatta Valley extends from the Murray Valley Highway south along the length of Tallangatta Creek Road.

The total population of Tallangatta and Tallangatta Valley is 1137, down from 1290 in 2006. A relatively even split between females and males, 9.2% were born outside of Australia and 1.8% identify as having an Indigenous heritage.

The median age is 46, with 40% of the population being 55 years of age or older. 40% of the population achieved an advanced diploma or higher in schooling. Employment is across a spread of industries, primarily health and agriculture (beef). 54% work full-time, whilst 31% work in a part-time capacity.

Upper Murray – Corryong and surrounds

The Upper Murray area of Towong Shire is located at the headwaters of the Murray River and the foot of the Australian Alps. The area is known for its rugged mountain peaks, rocky outcrops and rich pastoral lands. The river plains and undulating pastures support a strong agricultural and forestry industry. The population of the largest town, Corryong, is approximately 1200 and the catchment area’s total population is approximately 2015. A relatively even split between females and males, 1.3% were born outside of Australia and 1.4% identify as having an Indigenous heritage. The median age is 53, a significant rise from 48 in 2011. 43% of the population is 55 years of age or older. 17% of the total population achieved an advanced diploma or higher in schooling with 42% currently working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.

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Key messages

Why do we need the Hunting Tourism Action Plan?

 Pests and game, particularly deer, are creating management issues for farmers and landowners in Towong Shire.  Because of the strong number of deer, hunters are increasingly coming to Towong Shire.  Conflict exist between farmers and some hunters over issues such as the unauthorised use of private land, hunting ethics, safety and liability; there is need for stronger governance.  Hunters travelling to the region have limited access to suitable accommodation and niche hunting tourism products such as guiding.  Hunting tourism has been identified by the Upper Murray and Mitta Valley communities as having strong potential for growth.

What will the Hunting Tourism Action Plan do?

 TSC wants to establish the Towong Shire region as a destination that supports a thriving hunting tourism industry, and deliver resultant positive social and economic outcomes for the community  The Plan will meet four objectives: o Increase visitation and yield opportunities associated with recreational hunting o Grow employment opportunities associated with hunting tourism, including the development of career pathways o Build community satisfaction and town pride off the back of a strong hunting tourism market o Develop a safe framework and environment for hunting activity to occur.

What evidence is there that hunting tourism is successful elsewhere?

 In Australia, Bob and Kay Penfold in South Australia successfully implemented a business plan to develop Hunt Australia. Hunt Australia caters exclusively for international hunters and sportspersons wishing to experience high quality hunting. Hunting is guided, with properties in Australia (predominantly deer on a SA property), New Zealand and New Caledonia.  Carmor Wildlife Reserve in the Northern Territory offers a broad range of hunting experiences including guided hunts of feral water buffalo and goats. Additional economic stimulus is created through auxiliary services including trophy preparation (ready for taxidermist), sealed cool room, and rifle rental. A self-contained lodge is a key component of their packaging.  Inland Hunting Properties (IHP) is a successful small business leveraging off hunting across the eastern states. A family run business, IHP matches reputable, highly rated hunters and their needs (camping, accommodation etc.) with rural properties. Through the IHP program, hunters pay a fee to hunt and/or camp on the property. Participating properties receive a minimum of $300 cash at the gate per booking and all other administration and vetting is undertaken by IHP.  Local business, Red Oak Farmstay, is successfully operating in the hunting space. A fully operational dairy farm with a ‘farm-stay’ accommodation house; the business owners had issues with hunters illegally accessing the property. By leveraging their already established asset (the farmstay), they set about directly targeting the hunting market. Since, the business owners have seen a significant increase in their accommodation occupancy; 60% of their accommodation income is now derived from hunting, and the average length of stay has increased by 50%. Additionally, illegal hunting on the property has significantly decreased.

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Offering a high standard accommodation house at a reasonable price, the Red Oak Farmstay case study is an example of how businesses can utilise (what are often) unused assets on farms, to create additional income streams for the farm’s core business.

If farmers are already having issues with hunters, why do we want to encourage more to come to the region?

 Increasing the number of hunters coming to the region provides opportunities for farmers to cost-effectively address their pest management issues.  The concerns that have been raised by farmers have been addressed in the Draft Plan and will be given stronger recognition in the Final Plan.  The implementation of strategies such as creating more formal opportunities for hunters to access private land (through agreements with farmers), and growing the number of guides in the area will lessen the likelihood of issues recurring.

What are the benefits for the wider community?

 There are more than 50,000 licensed game hunters in Victoria, up 186% in the last decade.  Game hunting is worth more than $282 million each year to the Victorian economy.  More than $138 million alone is spent annually on deer hunting.  Of the $138 million spent, 40 per cent is spent while on their hunting trip on purchases such as transport, ammunition, accommodation, meals and tours.  Deer hunters spend the most days per year hunting (6.4 compared to 3.7 for ducks)  The increasing number of hunters (particularly those with a higher disposable income), the amount they spend on hunting trips and the length of time they spend hunting all create significant opportunities for creating new businesses to cater to this market.  Hunters have a strong connection with the land and the environment, and often undertake other outdoors activities while on a hunting trip, benefiting existing operators.  Hunters’ connection to the land and interest in outdoor activities presents an opportunity to invoke return visitation to partake in other outdoor pursuits.

Why didn’t we get a say in putting together the Hunting Tourism Action Plan?

 The current Plan is a draft.  It was developed based on consultation with TSC, Tourism North East, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local industry that are active in the hunting tourism space  The Plan isn’t final – TSC wants to hear feedback on the Plan from ALL community members  All of the feedback received will be considered when finalising the Plan.

What happens after the plan is finalised?

 The final Hunting Tourism Action Plan will be developed and presented to TSC for adoption.  Following adoption of the Plan, a business plan will be developed which will cost the actions from the plan and assign timeframes and responsibilities.  Once the Plan has been approved, the Steering Group will oversee its implementation.

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Key contacts and spokespersons

Media spokesperson Cr Aaron Scales, Mayor Technical issues Jim de Hennin, Steering Group Chair General community/ stakeholder contact person Kerissa Heritage

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Stakeholder identification and analysis

The following provides a list of the identified stakeholders that need to be engaged with during the engagement process.

The level of engagement is described in the following table:

Inform Consult Involve Collaborate Empower Promise: Promise: Promise: Promise: Promise: We will keep you informed. We will keep you informed, We will work with you to We will look to you for direct We will implement what you listen to and acknowledge ensure that your concerns advice and innovation in decide. concerns and provide and aspirations are directly formulating solutions and feedback on how your input reflected in the alternatives incorporate your advice and influenced the decision. developed and provide recommendations into the feedback on how your input decisions to the maximum influenced the decision. extent possible.

Stakeholder Level of Reason for engagement Issues and risks Tool/ activity engagement NSW DPI Inform  Proximity of land governance to  Compatibility of policies and  Fact sheet TSC’s borders planning North East Water Inform  Interested Party  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Compatibility with policies and planning  Lack of support Hon Jaala Pulford Inform  Keep factually informed  Becoming ill-informed Fact sheet Minister for Agriculture  Potential to assist identify  Need to respond to media (State) funding opportunities and/or community concerns Minister for Regional  Lobbying Minister by group/s Development (State) adverse to the Plan’s development Local Visitor Information Inform  Empower to accurately respond  Incorrect messaging to public  Fact sheet Centres to external queries  Media releases

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Game Management Inform  Keep factually informed  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet Authority  Potential for future partnerships  Compatibility with policies  Media releases  Advocate Plan and planning  Lack of support Bill Tilley MLA Inform  Keep factually informed  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet Member for Benambra  Potential to assist identify  Need to respond to media (State) funding opportunities and/or community concerns

Cathy McGowan MP Inform  Keep factually informed  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet Member for Indi (Federal)  Potential to assist identify  Need to respond to media funding opportunities and/or community concerns

RDV Hume Office Inform  Keep factually informed  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Assist identify funding  Plan’s actions meeting RDV’s opportunities requirements to seek funding Hancock Victorian Consult  Keep factually informed  Missed identification of  Fact sheet Plantations  Land ownership opportunities  Submission  Demonstrate opportunities for the party to become engaged/active in the hunting space Goulburn-Murray Water Consult  Adjoining land ownership  Becoming ill-informed  Submission  Potential opportunities and  Compatibility with policies  impacts and planning  Lack of support Man from Snowy River Involve  Keep factually informed  Lack of support/community  Fact sheet Tourism Association  Identify opportunities for the buy-in  Website Association to express interest  Credibility in assisting with potential projects Australian Deer Association Involve  Interested party  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Future partnership  Poor relationship and lack of  Feedback forms opportunities support  Website

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 Potential for party to advocate  Duplication of Plan activities Plan Mitta Valley Tourism Involve  Identify opportunities for the  Generating aversion to the  Fact sheet Association Association to become Plan’s development  Website engaged/active in  Lack of understanding how driving/assisting with potential the Shire can benefit from projects hunting tourism  Lack of support – credibility damage Mitta Valley Inc. Involve  Identify opportunities for the  Generating aversion to the  Fact sheet Association to become Plan’s development  Website engaged/active in  Lack of understanding how driving/assisting with potential the Shire can benefit from projects hunting tourism  Lack of support – credibility damage Victoria Police Involve  Current and potential impact  Lack of support  Fact sheet hunting has on Victoria Police  Plan actions being non-  Website resources compliant  Access intel  Both parties being poorly informed Recreational users Involve  Joint land user  Conflict of interest in land use  Fact sheet  Becoming ill-informed  Website Ratepayers – non-resident Involve  In-line with informing  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet ratepayers of Council’s  Generating aversion to the  Website investment and activity Plan’s development  Online survey  Potential impact and  Missed identification of  Facebook opportunities of land use opportunities  Media releases Ratepayers - resident Involve  In-line with informing  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet ratepayers of Council’s  Generating aversion to the  Website investment and activity Plan’s development  Online survey  Express business opportunities  Missed identification of  Facebook opportunities  Media releases

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 Lack of understanding how  Information displays the Shire can benefit from  Feedback forms hunting tourism  Ratepayers not taking up opportunities to develop businesses Farmers Involve  In-line with informing  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet ratepayers of Council’s  Generating aversion to the  Website investment and activity Plan’s development  Online survey  Potential impact and  Lack of understanding how  Facebook opportunities of land use farmers can leverage from  Media releases  Shared desire to control deer hunting tourism  Information displays population  Missed identification of  Feedback forms opportunities Tourism North East Involve  Knowledge base  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Shared interest/desired  Lack of support – credibility  Submission objectives damage  Potential future partnerships  Actions not having an  Support funding opportunities economic/tourism aim and therefore not relevant to organisation Landcare Involve  Experience  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Knowledge base  Lack of support – credibility  Submission  Potential future partnerships damage  Network  Support funding opportunities  Shared desire to control deer population Hunters Involve  Key stakeholder  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet  Target market of Plan’s actions  Lack of support – credibility  Website  Knowledge base damage  Online survey  Facebook  Media releases

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 Information displays  Feedback forms Council Planning and Involve  Plan’s actions meeting  Adopted actions not being  Fact sheet Environmental Health compliance feasible Departments  Involvement with current and future land zoning  Knowledge base Individual businesses Involve  Potential to grow/expand  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet business to meet hunter  Generating aversion to the  Website demands Plan’s development  Online survey  Lack of understanding of how  Facebook businesses can benefit from  Media releases hunting tourism  Information displays  Missed identification of  Feedback forms opportunities Upper Murray Business Inc. Involve  Identify opportunities for the  Generating aversion to the  Fact sheet party to become Plan’s development  Website engaged/active in  Lack of understanding how driving/assisting with potential the Shire can benefit from projects. hunting tourism  Lack of support – credibility damage North East Catchment Collaborate  Knowledge base  Becoming ill-informed  Fact sheet Management Authority  Involvement with current and  Compatibility of actions with  Submission future land management party’s policies and planning  Networks  Support for funding  Networks  Support for funding applications Parks Victoria Collaborate  Landownership  Compatibility with policies  Fact sheet  Knowledge base and planning  Submission  Access to user-groups

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 Networks  Lack of support – credibility  Support for funding damage applications  Shared desire to control deer population Department of Collaborate  Landownership  Compatibility with policies  Fact sheet Environment, Land, Water  Knowledge base and planning  Submission and Planning  Access to user-groups  Lack of support – credibility  Networks damage  Shared desire to control deer population Department of Economic Collaborate  Shared objectives  Compatibility with policies  Fact sheet Development, Jobs,  Knowledge base and planning  Submission Transport & Resources  Funding opportunities  Lack of support – credibility damage  Missed opportunties Towong Shire Councillors Empower  Driving and funding Plan  Change in Council  Workshop development  Change in policy direction  Representing wider community  Impacted by lobbying against  Governing future funding Plan development applications

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Engagement activities

A variety of engagement activities will be undertaken to inform and consult with key stakeholders and community members. These same activities, along with others, will be used to promote the Draft Plan and the opportunities to provide feedback.

Public Information sessions will be held in the Mitta Valley, Upper Murray and consultation Tallangatta. The sessions will be facilitated by Michelle Kent, and will provide a meetings mix of information and discussion. Fact sheets and feedback forms will available at the information sessions. Fact sheet The fact sheet will provide information on the Draft Plan, as well as details on the information sessions, information displays and online survey. Feedback forms The feedback forms will give key stakeholders and community members the opportunity to answer specific questions on the Draft Plan, as well as to provide detailed feedback on their views. The fact sheet will be available at information sessions, information displays and on the TSC website. Online survey The online survey will contain the same questions as the feedback form. The survey will be hosted on Survey Monkey and promoted on the TSC website, social media, fact sheets and information displays. Information The information displays will feature the fact sheet, feedback form and a displays lodgement box and will be installed at the Tallangatta Library, Corryong Library, and Murray Goulburn in Eskdale. Submissions Specific key stakeholders will be invited to provide a submission on the Draft Plan. A letter with a link to the online survey, as well as a copy of the feedback form, will be sent to all identified key stakeholders. Social media The TSC Facebook page will be used to promote the information sessions and information displays. It will also link to the TSC website so people can download a copy of the fact sheet and feedback form, as well as the online survey. Comments on posts related to the Draft Plan, and any messages received, will be recorded. TSC website The fact sheet and feedback form will be uploaded to the website. The link to the online survey, details regarding the information sessions and information displays will also be made available on the website. Advertising and Information sessions, information displays, the feedback forms and online media releases survey will be promoted through advertising (general and public notice) and media releases.

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Community engagement action plan

General action plan:

Activity Responsibility Completion Active date/s date Coordinate public Information Sessions Kerissa Heritage W/C 9 April Confirmation of bookings required prior to advertising of  Manage delivery of community information sessions commencing. information sessions schedule of Running sheet required one week out from information sessions activities (see below). commencing.  Book facilities  Catering  Guest speaker  Facilitator Write and distribute media releases Kerissa Heritage 19 March Various, depending on local paper publication dates. Bridie Edwards Need to complete press release prior to 1/4 to have it included in Mitta Valley Bush and Bulldust. Write and produce fact sheet Tracey Farrant 19 March Throughout consultation process 19 March - 3 May.

Produce feedback forms Tracey Farrant 19 March Throughout consultation process 19 March - 3 May. Produce online survey Tracey Farrant Throughout consultation process 19 March - 3 May. Load fact sheet and link to survey monkey on Tracey Farrant 19 March Throughout consultation process 19 March - 3 May. TSC website Bridie Edwards Set-up information displays Tracey Farrant 19 March Throughout consultation process 19 March - 3 May. Write and distribute letters requesting Kerissa Heritage 6 April 26 March – 6 April submissions Write TSC Facebook posts and provide to Kerissa Heritage Various dates throughout consultation process. communications team with appropriate Bridie Edwards imagery. Advertising Tracey Farrant Various, depending on local paper publication dates. Bridie Edwards Need to submit advert prior to 1/4 to have it included in Mitta Valley Bush and Bulldust.

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Community information sessions schedule of activities:

Activity W/C W/C W/C W/C WC 16/3 W/C W/C 19/3 26/3 2/4 9/4 23/4 30/4 16/4 17/4 18/4 Consultation commences Media release announcing commencement of consultation Facebook post announcing commencement of consultation Advertisement announcing commencement of consultation Letters requesting submissions distributed Information on website Information displays Online survey Media release promoting information sessions B&B Advertisement promoting information sessions B&B Facebook post promoting information sessions Mitta Valley Information session held Upper Murray Information Session held Tallangatta Information Session held Media release advising when consultation concludes Facebook post advising when consultation concludes Advertisement advising when consultation concludes Consultation concludes

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Evaluation plan

Evaluation of Key evaluation Who is interested Sources of Methods of Who is When? what? questions in the answers? evidence measurement responsible? The process Was the target TSC Response rate to Measurement of Tracey Farrant At the completion undertaken audience well informed online survey, responses received and of the consultation of the consultation Steering Group. feedback forms number of participants process. process? and participation at information sessions. at information cessions Participation at Tracey Farrant At the completion information sessions. of the consultation process. Engagement of Social media reach. Tracey Farrant Ongoing social media. Did the information TSC Anecdotal. Feedback forms from Facilitator At the completion sessions run smoothly participants at of information and to schedule? Observation by information session. sessions. organisers The outcome of Did the Steering Group Steering Group Quantity and Facilitator’s report. Facilitator At the completion the process receive sufficient variation of of the consultation input/feedback from feedback process. the community? received. Feedback received from Tracey Farrant online survey and feedback forms. Did participants of the TSC Feedback from Feedback forms from Facilitator At the completion information sessions information participants at of information leave with a feeling session information session. sessions. they were adequately participants. informed of the Plan’s development.

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APPENDIX 2

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM ACTION PLAN FACT SHEET

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Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan – Fact Sheet

What is the Hunting Tourism Action Plan?

Licensed game hunters spend approximately $1.5million in our Shire each year. The Action Plan identifies opportunities for our tourism operators and farmers to capitalise on the deer population and create a new, managed and well-controlled hunting tourism product. The Action Plan will also go some way toward reducing the number of pest deer negatively impacting on our environment and our farming businesses.

Why do we need a Hunting Tourism Plan?

Because of the strong number of deer across the region, hunters are increasingly coming to Towong Shire. Deer are creating management issues for farmers and landowners. Conflict exist between farmers and some hunters over issues such as the unauthorised use of private land, hunting ethics, safety and liability; there is need for stronger governance.

Hunting tourism has been identified by the Upper Murray and Mitta Valley communities as having strong potential for creating economic growth in the area as well as providing the a means to positively influence hunter behaviour.

At present, hunters travelling to the region have limited access to suitable accommodation and niche hunting tourism products such as guiding.

What will the Hunting Tourism Action Plan do?

The finalised Plan will meet four objectives:

• Establish the Towong Shire region as a destination that supports a thriving hunting tourism industry, and deliver resultant positive social and economic outcomes for Increase visitation and yield opportunities associated with recreational hunting

• Grow employment opportunities associated with hunting tourism, including the development of career pathways

• Build community satisfaction and town pride off the back of a strong hunting tourism market

• Develop a safe framework and environment for hunting activity to occur.

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What evidence is there that hunting tourism is successful elsewhere?

In Australia, Bob and Kay Penfold in South Australia successfully implemented a business plan to develop Hunt Australia. Hunt Australia caters exclusively for international hunters and sportspersons wishing to experience high quality hunting. Hunting is guided, with properties in Australia (predominantly deer on a SA property), New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Carmor Wildlife Reserve in the Northern Territory offers a broad range of hunting experiences including guided hunts of feral water buffalo and goats. Additional economic stimulus is created through auxiliary services including trophy preparation (ready for taxidermist), sealed cool room, and rifle rental. A self-contained lodge is a key component of their packaging.

Inland Hunting Properties (IHP) is a successful small business leveraging off hunting across the eastern states. A family run business, IHP matches reputable, highly rated hunters and their needs (camping, accommodation etc.) with rural properties. Through the IHP program, hunters pay a fee to hunt and/or camp on the property. Participating properties receive a minimum of $300 cash at the gate per booking and all other administration and vetting is undertaken by IHP.

Local business, Red Oak Farmstay, is successfully operating in the hunting space. A fully operational dairy farm with a ‘farm-stay’ accommodation house; the business owners had issues with hunters illegally accessing the property. By leveraging their already established asset (the farmstay), they set about directly targeting the hunting market. Since, the business owners have seen a significant increase in their accommodation occupancy; 60% of their accommodation income is now derived from hunting, and the average length of stay has increased by 50%. Additionally, illegal hunting on the property has significantly decreased. Offering a high standard accommodation house at a reasonable price, the Red Oak Farmstay case study is an example of how businesses can utilise (what are often) unused assets on farms, to create additional income streams for the farm’s core business.

Why are deer being targeted?

The population of deer in the Shire has increased alarmingly in recent decades, causing serious problems. The sheer number of deer in the region are having a destructive impact on biodiversity, including on native fauna, aquatic ecosystems, and macro invertebrate specie. They are negatively affecting waterways and endangered peatlands through rutting, wallowing, pugging and erosion.

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Deer are heavy grazers or browsers, reducing plant diversity and competing with other native animals. They cause physical damage through trampling, erosion and wallowing, and spread weeds and diseases. Deer create extensive tracks through moist gullies, removing ground cover and assisting the movement of other feral animals.

Deer graze and browse crops, fruit trees and grassy paddocks meant for livestock as well as destroy fencing, causing thousands of dollars damage.

Deer hunting is already popular in the region and one the few options available to farmers for managing deer numbers. The Action Plan looks for ways to meet the need to manage deer numbers with creating positive economic opportunities. The flow-on effect will assist not only primary businesses such as guiding services, farms which allow hunting and provide accommodation, but also auxiliary services to grow and develop (such as petrol stations, food operators etc).

If farmers are already having issues with hunters, why do we want to encourage more to come to the region?

Increasing the number of hunters coming to the region provides opportunities for farmers to cost-effectively address their pest management issues. The concerns that have been raised by farmers have been addressed in the Draft Plan and will be given stronger recognition in the Final Plan.

The implementation of strategies such as creating more formal opportunities for hunters to access private land (through agreements with farmers), and growing the number of guides in the area will lessen the likelihood of issues recurring.

The more formalised approach to deer hunting plus the increase in number of responsible, well-prepared hunters is very likely to push any reckless and irresponsible hunters to other areas.

What are the benefits for the wider community?

There are more than 50,000 licensed game hunters in Victoria, up 186% in the last decade. Game hunting is worth more than $282 million each year to the Victorian economy.

More than $138 million alone is spent annually on deer hunting. Of the $138 million spent, 40 per cent is spent while on their hunting trip on purchases such as transport, ammunition, accommodation, meals and tours.

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Deer hunters spend the most days per year hunting (6.4 compared to 3.7 for ducks). The increasing number of hunters (particularly those with a higher disposable income), the amount they spend on hunting trips and the length of time they spend hunting all create significant opportunities for creating new businesses to cater to this market.

Hunters have a strong connection with the land and the environment, and often undertake other outdoors activities while on a hunting trip, benefiting existing operators. Hunters’ connection to the land and interest in outdoor activities presents an opportunity to invoke return visitation to partake in other outdoor pursuits.

What has happened so far?

In 2017, Council commissioned the development of a Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan based on a facilitated workshop with key government agencies, local farmers and hunting tourism operators, hunting groups and other key stakeholders. The Draft Plan was presented to Towong Shire Councillors in August 2017, where they provided in principle support and authorisation to seek feedback on the Draft Plan from key stakeholders and the broader Towong Shire community.

Council established a stakeholder Steering Group to review and finalise the Action Plan. This includes engaging the community in revising the plan to ensure that it captures all feasible opportunities.

Where is the Action Plan up to?

The Steering Group has developed a comprehensive Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan to ensure that the final Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan takes advantage of local knowledge, experience and ideas. The Group has appointed an independent consultant to facilitate three public information sessions.

Once the engagement phase is completed, the document will be revised and submitted to Council for final adoption.

How will the community be consulted?

The Engagement Plan includes, but is not limited to, public consultation meetings, online and hard copy surveys, and the invitation for submissions. Feedback gained will assist in fine- tuning the Action Plan.

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Consultation activities will be advertised in local newspapers and through social media. The Steering Group will also organise information displays and make the Draft Plan available on Council’s website.

Public consultation will begin in March, and conclude at the end of April.

What is the community being consulted about?

Council has ascertained that development of a Hunting Tourism Action Plan is in the best interests of the Shire. Council will adopt the final Action Plan at a future council meeting.

The strategies and actions within the Plan have not been finalised and this is where the Steering Group is seeking community input. Success of the Plan is dependent on community involvement and support.

Why didn’t we get a say in putting together the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan?

The Draft Plan was developed based on consultation with Towong Shire Council, Tourism North East, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local industry that are active in the hunting tourism space.

The Draft Plan provides a comprehensive starting place to identifying existing assets and future opportunities that can create economic benefit from the local pest deer population.

It is essential to gain community input into revising the Plan to ensure practicality, efficiency, effectiveness and local relevance.

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Who are the Steering Group?

The Steering Group includes representatives from:

• Community members • Towong Shire Council • Hancock Victorian Plantations • Upper Murray Business Inc. • Hunters • Landcare • Victorian Department of • Victorian Department of Environment, Economic Development, Jobs, Land, Water and Planning Transport and Resources • Tourism North East • Parks Victoria • NSW Department of Industry • Victoria Police • North East Catchment Management Authority

What happens after the plan is finalised?

Towong Shire Council will be presented the finalised Hunting Action Plan for adoption. Following adoption of the Plan, a business plan will be developed which will detail the actions from the plan and assign budgets, timeframes and responsibilities. On approval of the Plan, the Hunting Steering Group will oversee its implementation.

How do I find out more?

Information on the Hunting Tourism Action Plan can be found on Council’s website: www.towong.vic.gov.au

For further information, contact Towong Shire Council’s Economic Development Officer, Kerissa Heritage on 02 6071 5100 or via [email protected]

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APPENDIX 3

INFORMATION SESSIONS PRESENTATION

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Hunting Tourism Action Plan Towong Shire Council  The Plan will put in place mechanisms that will allow the community to derive economic benefit from hunting.

 The Plan will not replace deer management approaches to reduce impacts of deer. Purpose of the Plan  The Plan could result in other benefits for individual landholders and the broader community

 Economic Development Plan – to be implemented via partnerships and grants  50,000 registered hunters in Victoria  $138 million spent annually on deer hunting Hunting in Towong and  $1.5 million spent in Towong Shire (13th LGA) Business  On-trip spend (40%) includes accommodation, Opportunities food, tours, meals, other products  Hunters chiefly hunting for food and to connect with the outdoors and with friends.  Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan and Our Valley Our Future Hunting Tourism Action  Council commitment to deliver Plan  Developed by Tourism North East with input Development from a Steering Group  Strategic approach to support and enable business to interact with the hunting community to their advantage Costs: Facilitator - $4,285 Advertising - $332.17 Venue Hire - $450 Resources Catering - $600 Total committed expenditure - $5,667.17

Total staff time expected – 125 hours  The Plan is an approach to enable people to benefit from hunting tourism.  Objectives:  To increase opportunities associated with Hunting recreational hunting Tourism Action  To grow employment opportunities associated Plan with hunting tourism  To build community satisfaction off the back of strong hunting tourism  To develop a safe framework and environment for hunting activity to occur  Consultation and Engagement Plan  Steering Committee established with broad representation  Community sessions to inform and gather feedback on the draft Consultation  Opportunity to give feedback in a community survey  Feedback will be considered by the Steering Group and the Plan will be finalised by Council.  Implementation will be overseen by the Steering Group

APPENDIX 4

INFORMATION SESSIONS WORKSHOP REPORT

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DRAFT HUNTING TOURISM ACTION PLAN COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS Report prepared for Towong Shire Council by Michelle Kent

Contents

CONTENTS 2

BACKGROUND 3

ESKDALE 3

SUGGESTIONS IDENTIFIED AT THE INFORMATION SESSION 6 OBSERVATIONS AND GENERAL STATEMENTS 6

CORRYONG 7

SUGGESTIONS IDENTIFIED AT THE INFORMATION SESSION 8 OBSERVATIONS AND GENERAL STATEMENTS 9

TALLANGATTA 10

SUGGESTIONS IDENTIFIED AT THE INFORMATION SESSION 12 OBSERVATIONS AND GENERAL STATEMENTS 12

APPENDIX 1: INFORMATION SESSION AGENDA 14

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Background To explore the options for recreational hunting in Towong Shire and the opportunity that this presents for tourism, Tourism North East (TNE) partnered with Towong Shire Council (TSC) to prepare a Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

The Draft Plan was developed following consultation with TSC, TNE, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local industry that are active in the hunting tourism space.

The Draft Plan was presented to Towong Shire Councillors in August 2017, where they provided in principle support and authorisation to seek feedback on the draft plan from key stakeholders and the broader Towong Shire community.

In April 2018 three Information Sessions were held in Eskdale, Corryong and Tallangatta to inform the community about the Draft Plan and to gather suggestions on the Plan from the community. This report summarises outcomes of the three sessions.

Each Information Session began with a presentation from a local farm business benefiting from hunting tourism followed by a presentation on the Draft Plan. Participants were then invited to provide feedback on concerns they had and benefits and opportunities they saw. The Information Sessions ended with discussion on how to turn identified concerns, benefits and opportunities into suggestions for the Draft Plan. An Information Session agenda is attached in Appendix 1.

Eskdale Date: 16 April 2018

Time: 7PM – 9:30PM

Location: Mitta Valley Sports Precinct

Number of attendees: 40 Plus Steering Group and Council Representatives

Forty people attended the Session at the Mitta Valley Sports prescient. The following tables outline concerns attendees raised, along with the potential opportunities and benefits identified.

CONCERNS NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED With potential for increased number of hunters Increased threats to landholders’ lives, stock and property from increased 9 numbers of hunters and increased surveillance and security costs. The Draft Plan will mean more hunters, which will mean more illegal 8 shooting (shooting on private land without permission, spotlighting, and use of illegal firearms). Threats to public safety. Increased numbers of un‐regulated and un‐ 6 monitored hunting on public land leading to fatalities. People don’t feel safe in the bush anymore.

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Increased hunting activity will decrease peace and quiet lifestyle of 6 Towong Shire. It goes against current livelihoods and focus on bringing families into the Shire. Hunters with too many dogs insufficiently supervised resulting in loss of 4 hunting dogs and increased wild dogs. Increased traffic on roads and 4WD tracks from additional hunters will 2 require increased maintenance. Where is maintenance funding coming from? Availability of some private land areas to paying hunters will push illegal 1 shooters and deer into other areas. Marketing the area as a hunting destination will have impacts on 1 landholders not involved in hunting tourism. With indirect impacts on recreation, tourism, and business Negative impacts on other tourism types, particularly recreational and 11 nature‐based tourism, resulting in decreased visitation and economic benefit in other tourism areas. Marketing Towong as a hunting destination will decrease options and 2 access for honest, respectful, local hunters. Concentrating on providing high‐end accommodation will decrease 1 availability of camping, which is what many hunters really want. With policing of illegal shooting Under‐resourcing of police to respond to current concerns and problems 11 with illegal shooting and threats to landholders, let alone any increase. Interface of public and private land means trespassing occurs as people try 1 to access public land and as 4WD tracks on public land cross into private land. With Council process and involvement Poor consultation process – not publicised adequately and the Draft Plan 5 was developed without community input. Shire contribution to the Draft Plan re‐directs efforts that would be of 3 greater benefit elsewhere. The Draft Plan is already determined – actions are non‐negotiable and the 2 Draft Plan is a path the Shire wants to take irrespective of resident wishes. SWOT Analysis conducted for the implementation of the Draft Plan 2 inadequately addresses risks and potential negative impacts. Greatest impact is on landholders and landholders have not been 2 adequately consulted. Businesses who benefit from the Draft Plan should be the ones to promote 2 their products. Landholders should chase options themselves. Council shouldn’t be playing a role. No opportunity for submissions. Survey does not allow for responses 1 outside the designated survey questions. The Draft Plan is not supported by evidence including current numbers of 1 hunters, proposed numbers of hunters, and expected economic benefit to the community. With deer numbers The Draft Plan will not result in decreased deer numbers. 3 Sustainable hunting will mean an increase in deer numbers. 1 The Draft Plan suggests implementing a hunting ‘season’. This could 1 inhibit culling of deer in the ‘off’ season.

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With carcass management Carcass remnants left on‐site will attract wild dogs and foxes, are unsightly 2 and deter other tourists. Other concerns Benefits from the project will not be realised as the negatives will 1 overwhelm the initiative. Total number of concerns identified 89

OPPORTUNITIES NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED Develop specific strategies to outlaw/de‐incentivise illegal hunting and 3 shooting and encourage legal/responsible hunting. Create a map identifying land areas where hunting is allowed with 1 permissions and no‐go zones. Only properties where hunting is permitted would have contact details attached. A guiding industry will provide a more professional approach to hunting in 1 general. A landholder could invest in a meat chiller and charge hunters for the use 1 of the chiller. Growing development and demand for hunting opens opportunities for 1 grant money to be sought. Local area access fees for hunting in State Forests could cover costs of 1 additional GMA and Police resources. The GMA could develop a guide and a standardised accreditation process 1 for hunters. Creation of a standardised legal contract pro‐forma for landholders to use 1 to get hunters accessing their land to sign. GMA could develop a voluntary code of ethics that hunters agree to abide 1 to. Include respect for property boundaries; respect for domestic stock; responsible disposal of carcasses. Controlled camp‐sites on controlled land with access fees will encourage 1 economic growth. Total number of opportunities identified 12

BENEFITS OF HUNTING NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED Sales for local food outlets, retail outlets, and accommodation are 3 increased. Feral animal control. 2 Responsible hunters value hunting and receive benefits. 1 Increased tourism. 1 Increased employment opportunities and retention of local community 1 members. Total number of benefits identified 8

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Suggestions Identified at the Information Session The following suggestions for changes to the Draft Plan were made at the Information Sessions during discussions on concerns, opportunities and benefits.

Suggestions on Improving the Development Process of the Draft Plan

1. The Draft Plan needs to clarify meaning of non‐negotiables. Re‐release key messages on the intent of the Draft Plan and commitment to consider community input. 2. A second round of consultation could be added to the Draft Plan development process that allows for formal submissions. A FAQ should accompany any further consultation that responds to the concerns raised during initial community sessions.

Suggestions to Mitigate Risks Present in the Draft Plan

1. Further development of the Draft Plan requires a full risk analysis in integration of action to address risks. 2. Further development of the Draft Plan requires an evaluation and monitoring program to monitor project outcomes and address unforeseen outcomes that may arise. 3. The Draft Plan needs to further consider avenues for policing and resourcing of policing of illegal hunting and shooting activity and risk of increased hunter and illegal shooter numbers in the area. 4. Include in the Draft Plan recognition that land‐owners could charge land‐access fees for controlled camp‐based hunting. 5. The Draft Plan could include an action where Council offers controlled carcass dump points.

Suggestions around Council Advocacy to be Included in the Draft Plan

1. Removal of barriers for game meat processing.

Observations and General Statements The following observations and general statements were made at the Information Session during discussion on concerns, opportunities and benefits.

2. With new infra‐red technology poachers will be able to access and hunt on private property without lights and without anyone knowing they are there. 3. “It is great to see a pro‐active approach to a complex issue. Congratulations Towong.”

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Corryong Date: 17 April 2018

Time: 7PM – 9:30PM

Location: Lions Club Hall

Number of attendees: 27 Plus Steering Group and Council Representatives

Thirty people attended the Information Session in Corryong at the Lions Club Hall. The following tables outline concerns attendees raised, along with the potential opportunities and benefits identified.

CONCERNS NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED With potential for increased number of hunters and impacts on private land Increased threats to landholders’ property and stock, and on‐farm 10 biodiversity, and increased demand on time to manage impacts of hunters. Threats to public safety. Increased numbers of un‐regulated and un‐ 4 monitored hunting on public land leading to fatalities. Confrontations with shooters and hunters. 3 Safe work environment on farm boundaries with public land. 1 Increased hunting activity will decrease privacy. 1 Biosecurity and biodiversity risks from more hunters going through private 1 property. Impacts on liability of landholders allowing access to hunters. 1 With policing of illegal shooting Interface of public and private land means trespassing occurs as people try 4 to access public land and as 4WD tracks on public land cross into private land. How do farmers control boundaries? Under‐resourcing of police to respond to current concerns and problems 1 with illegal shooting and threats to landholders. Increased purchases of fire‐arms and ability of police to check licenses. With carcass management Carcass remnants left on‐site will attract wild dogs and foxes. 4 With Council process and involvement Cost to rate payers. 1 SWOT Analysis inaccurately represents risks. 1 With indirect impacts on recreation, tourism, and business Negative impacts on other tourism types, particularly recreational and 1 nature‐based tourism, resulting in decreased visitation and economic benefit in other tourism areas. Other concerns Planning restrictions may limit the extent to which landholders are able to 1 cater to hunters. Eg: many are unable to build a second dwelling. Total number of concerns identified 34

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OPPORTUNITIES NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED Local employment and business opportunities including in farm‐based 3 guided hunting, cool room rental, stalking, bush walking and horseback hunting. Opportunity to exercise some control over illegal shooters and change the 2 demographic of hunters visiting the Shire. Supplementary income streams for landholders and businesses. 1 Ability to keep young people in the Shire with more employment 1 opportunities and career options. Potential for hunting‐related events. 1 The Draft Plan is an opportunity to create revenue from a situation that is 1 not going away. Total number of opportunities identified 9

BENEFITS OF HUNTING NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED Sales for local food outlets, retail outlets, and accommodation are 2 increased. Gain control over hoon activity. 2 Diversity opportunities for farm businesses. 2 Reduced deer population. 1 Total number of benefits identified 7

Suggestions around Council Advocacy to be Included in the Draft Plan

1. The creation of a full‐time Wildlife Officer or Game Warden position with powers of arrest to police illegal shooting and camping. 2. An increase in areas available for hunting, keeping in mind other public land uses. 3. Changes to legislation to reduce barriers for utilisation of game meat. 4. Changes to legislation to improve levels of carcass removal from State Forests 5. Changes to legislation to include a 3km exclusion zone on public land around private land boundaries. 6. Better regulation models for hunting (eg: US legislation around hunting management as an example)

Suggestions on Information and Pro‐formas the Draft Plan Should Provide for

1. Information compiled on liability of landholders allowing paid access to hunters 2. Development of a Pro‐forma on registration personal details and medical details that guides and landholders should be collecting. 3. Development of a Pro‐forma of contract to sign by hunters accessing private land. 4. Information compiled on legislation around hunting and use of game‐meat. 5. Education on respectful and ethical hunting practices for guide what landholders can expect from hunters.

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6. Development and distribution of better information on recreational activities that are allowed and those that are not allowed in different areas and at different times of the year.

Suggestions on Carcass Management

1. Emphasise carcass management and avenues for carcass removal in the Draft Plan. 2. Development of a mechanism to register deer kills and use of meat so meat quality can be measured. 3. Towong Shire Council form a partnership with pet food processors (Uncle Ben’s) to utilise deer carcasses. 4. Offer free or subsidised courses in carcass management.

Suggestions on Business development

1. Ensure that discussion on packaging in the Draft Plan includes provision and encouragement for provision of cool storage facilities for hunters to store processed meat while they are in the area.

Suggestions to Mitigate Risks Present in the Draft Plan

1. To reduce risk of increasing hunter numbers in the area the Draft Plan should avoid all actions that include a marketing and promotion of hunting element. 2. Further consideration of avenues for policing and resourcing of policing of illegal hunting and shooting activity and risk of increased hunter and illegal shooter numbers in the area. 3. Registration of hunters prior to admittance on private property. Two suggestions were made: That hunters accessing private property must show Sporting Shooters or Australian Deer Association membership; and that the Draft Plan could include provision for a member‐ based website where hunters can register (for a fee) and landholders can register. Only registered members can access the site. (Note this could be an action undertaken through a partnership approach with either the ADA or SSAA).

Observations and General Statements The following observations and general statements were made at the Information Session during discussion on concerns, opportunities and benefits.

1. Use of venison, as evidenced across the border in NSW, is lucrative as venison is expensive.

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Tallangatta Date: 18 April 2018

Time: 7PM – 9:30PM

Location: Tallangatta Sports Club

Number of attendees: 39 Plus Steering Group and Council Representatives

Forty people attended the Information Session in Tallangatta at the Tallangatta Sports Club. The following tables outline concerns attendees raised, along with the potential opportunities and benefits identified.

CONCERNS NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED With Council process and involvement Deer numbers and their impacts on residents should be a focus of the 4 Shire, not deer hunting tourism, given that deer impacts were a focus of 2030 consultations. Deer hunting was ranked number 8 and was not a priority. The Draft Plan was developed with no consultation with landholders or 4 ratepayers. Shire contribution to the Draft Plan re‐directs efforts that would be of 3 greater benefit elsewhere. Cost to rate payers and/or taxpayers. 3 No opportunity for submissions. Survey does not allow for responses 2 outside the designated survey questions and is unfair. The Draft Plan is not supported by evidence including current numbers of 2 hunters, proposed numbers of hunters, and expected economic benefit and economic costs to the community of actions in the plan. The Draft Plan does not address negative impacts on residents. 2 Even without marketing actions the Draft Plan still assists with marketing 1 Towong as a deer destination because of the assistance given to businesses that will then market themselves to hunters. The Shire shouldn’t be funding building and promotion of businesses. 1 The Draft Plan has so many flaws and inconsistencies it should be thrown 1 out. The Steering Committee does not include affected residents and/or 1 landholders. Council reception staff did not know locations and times of the meetings. 1 Staff need to be briefed to inform the public. FAQ Sheet does not answer the questions identified. 1 Poor consultation process – time allocated in community sessions to public 1 consultation is inadequate. Poor facilitation. 1 With potential for increased number of hunters and impacts on private land The plan will mean more hunters, which will mean more illegal shooting 6 (shooting on private land without permission, spotlighting, and use of illegal firearms).

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Increased threats (and costs) to landholders’ property and stock, and on‐ 4 farm biodiversity, and increased demand on time to manage impacts of hunters. No compensation for stock shot either by accident or intentionally due to 3 increased numbers of hunters. Council liable for loss of stock and fence damage if the Plan goes ahead. Threats to public safety. Increased numbers of un‐regulated and un‐ 3 monitored hunting on public land leading to fatalities. Creation of an open season period would lead to a high number of guns in 2 a small area. Safe work environment. 1 Increased hunting activity will decrease privacy. 1 Increased traffic on roads and 4WD tracks from additional hunters will 1 require increased maintenance. Where is maintenance funding coming from? Hunters with too many dogs resulting in disturbance to stock. 1 With policing of illegal shooting Under‐resourcing of police to respond to current concerns and problems 5 with illegal shooting and threats to landholders. Increased purchases of fire‐arms and ability of police to check licenses. How do farmers control boundaries? 1 With deer numbers The Plan will not result in decreased deer numbers. 4 Only 35% of 70% of land in the Shire is able to be hunted. 1 With indirect impacts on recreation, tourism, and business Negative impacts on other tourism types, particularly recreational and 4 nature‐based tourism, resulting in decreased visitation and economic benefit in other tourism areas. With carcass management Carcass remnants left on‐site will attract wild dogs and foxes. 3 Other concerns There are enough local hunters for landholders to access and the Plan may 5 jeopardise local (responsible) hunters’ access to land to hunt on. Current maps published are inaccurate and show farms as accessible 1 properties, leading to issues for farmers. Spread of weeds by deer, particularly blackberries. 1 Deer hunters from Melbourne do not spend locally. They buy all their 1 supplies before leaving Melbourne. Pushing illegal and irresponsible shooters to other areas is not a solution. 1 Unregulated free campers that are not subject to having licences checked 1 and do not sign contracts are the problem. Total number of concerns identified 78

OPPORTUNITIES NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED There is an opportunity for farmers with deer problems to use local 2 shooters. Reduction in illegal shooting. 1 Opportunity to improve the profile of hunters by attracting good people. 1

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Hunters are going to come and we are better off knowing who is on the 1 property. Opportunity for State Parks to be opened to hunters. 1 There is an opportunity for deer to be classified as a pest. 1

Total number of opportunities identified 7

BENEFITS OF HUNTING NUMBER OF TIMES IDENTIFIED Potential for guiding dollars. 1

Suggestions around Council Advocacy to be Included in the Draft Plan

1. Council to advocate to State Government for extra police resources and compliance officers. 2. More parks opened up for hunting.

Suggestions on Information and Pro‐formas the Draft Plan Should Provide for

1. Development and distribution of information on liability of landholders allowing paid access to hunters and on insurance. 2. Development of a network private landholders to access responsible hunters.

Suggestions on Business development

1. The Draft Plan should include provision for local hunters working with local farmers. 2. The Draft Plan should be broadened to support all private tourism enterprises. 3. The Draft Plan should include avenues for local hunters to access training to become a professional shooter.

Suggestions to Mitigate Risks Present in the Draft Plan

1. The Draft Plan should require hunters to have a permit from DELWP to be in parks hunting, for example near Pilot Hill near Batlow. 2. The Draft Plan needs considerable further consideration of additional policing and resources required. 3. The Draft Plan should not include any activity around marketing and promotion of the region as a hunting destination. 4. The Draft Plan needs to consider compensation to landholders for losses incurred by increased numbers of hunters.

Observations and General Statements The following observations and general statements were made at the Information Session during discussion on concerns, opportunities and benefits.

1. Attendees overwhelmingly did not support the Draft Plan and majority voted they did not want a Hunting Tourism Action Plan at all.

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2. One attendee submitted results of an informal Facebook poll conducted on a Motorhome page, indicating that 66% of respondents would avoid the area if it was a deer hunting destination. 33% would still come. 3. Many attendees indicated that, should the Hunting Tourism Action Plan development continue, they wanted a second Draft Plan to be released for consultation. However, there was some opposition to the additional cost to ratepayers that this would entail.

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Appendix 1: Information Session Agenda

Agenda

Mayor Welcome 7PM Introduction 7:10 Presentation – Karen Moroney 7:20 Presentation – Introduction and background to the 7:40 Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan Feedback Session Part 1: 8:05 - Concerns - Benefits

- Opportunities 8:30 Refreshment break 8:45 Feedback Session Part 2: - Suggestions for changes 9:20 Where to from here 9:25 Mayor close

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APPENDIX 5

SUBMISSIONS

Page 38 of 44

APPENDIX 6

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM SURVEY

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Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

Introduction

This survey seeks your feedback on the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

To understand and capitalise on opportunities associated with deer hunting in Towong Shire, Council initiated the development of the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan. The DRAFT Plan was developed following consultation with Tourism North East, Game Management Authority, North East Catchment Management Authority, Australian Deer Association, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, local landholders and businesses active in the hunting tourism space.

The Draft Plan has been developed to initiate discussion that will underpin the development of a final Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

The Draft Plan contains the following strategic approaches. Please note that the draft strategies have been provided as a starting place for discussion.

Accommodation Customisation - Accommodating hunters in pubs, hotels and lodges will make the most of our existing businesses and potentially support growth of new commercial opportunities like packaging of accommodation with food hampers, meals, alcohol and other services.

Secondary Product Development – for example: hunting supplies, taxidermy, kennels for hunting dogs, 4WD hire.

Development and potential accreditation of hunting guides - In addition to supplying hunting tours, guides could offer tours associated with wildlife observation, photography and environmental education.

Managing land access - Managing land access could ensure greater opportunity and choice for hunting tourists and has the potential to mitigate current issues associated with illegal land access.

Exploring the potential of an annual deer hunting season - While deer, particular Sambar Deer, enjoys a year-round hunting season, the peak offering is available between late March and October. An official season opening could mark the start of the peak hunting period and provide increased marketing opportunities.

Addressing restrictions to game meat processing - If local suppliers in Towong Shire were able to take the game captured by visitors and convert it into food by-products, a new range if opportunities would present themselves.

Marketing – Development of a comprehensive hunting tourism product will promote Towong Shire’s unique offering as well as differentiate the Shire as a destination from competing and often more established hunting destinations Promotional partnerships and product packaging - Packaging is the grouping of tourism products and experiences to sell them to customers as a single purchase item.

Deer hunting outfitter partnerships - there are existing outfitters who advertise commercial hunting throughout Australia. Towong Shire Council and relevant operators should look to engage these operators with a view to ensuring that the destination’s hunting tourism offering is available and being sold by organisations that are active and recognised by the market.

* 1. Have you read the Draft Hunting Tourism Action Plan?

Yes

No Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

2. How importantly do you rate the following strategies within the current draft Plan?

Very important Important Not very important Not at all important Don't know

Customising accommodation facilities to attract hunters

Secondary product development

Development and potential accreditation of hunting guides

Managing land access

Exploring the potential of an annual deer hunting season

Addressing restrictions to game meat processing

Marketing

Promotional partnerships and product packaging

Deer hunting outfitter partnerships Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

3. Do you have additional ideas or strategies that could be included in the Plan? if so, please tell us about your idea.

4. If you rated any of the draft strategies as "Not at all important", please tell us why.

5. What do you see as the biggest barrier to the success of the Plan and why?

6. What do you see as the greatest opportunity in relation to developing Hunting Tourism in Towong Shire? Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

About you

Let's start by find out a little about you. This will help us to understand who is most interested in the subject of Hunting Tourism in our Shire.

7. Please indicate your age

Under 18 45-54

18-24 55-64

25-34 65+

35-44 Would rather not say

8. Please tell us your gender.

Male

Female

Would rather not say

9. Please tell us where you live.

Bellbridge Jarvis Creek

Berringama Koetong

Bethanga Lucyvale

Biggara Mitta Mitta

Burrowye Nariel Valley

Colac Cola Old Tallangatta

Corryong Pine Mountain

Cudgewa Shelley

Dartmouth Tallangatta

Eskdale Tallangatta Valley

Guys Forest Towong

Other (please specify) 10. Which best describes your current occupation?

Farming Government

Forestry Office administration

Retail Utility services

Transport and logistics Retired

Education and Training Not currently working

Health and community services

Other (please specify)

11. How did you hear about the Hunting Tourism Action Plan consultation?

Newspaper advertisement Internet

Poster Newsletter

Email from a community group or network Word of mouth

Email from a friend/community member

Other (please specify)

Thank you for participating in the survey. Your input will provide valuable data in the development of a final Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Action Plan.

Please encourage your friends, family and other contacts to participate in the survey. A link to the survey can be found on Council's website: www.towong.vic.gov.au

12. If you would like to be kept updated on progress of the development of the Action Plan, please enter your email below.

APPENDIX 7

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM SURVEY QUESTION 3 RESPONSES

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Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

Q3 Do you have additional ideas or strategies that could be included in the Plan? if so, please tell us about your idea.

Answered: 67 Skipped: 92

# RESPONSES DATE 1 Helping small secondary businesses to start up. 6/5/2018 4:00 PM 2 Encourage fishing hiking or bird watching. There is a very Gung Ho element among some 6/5/2018 3:56 PM shooters and I certainly dont want them hunting deer out of the bush with their dogs onto anyones private property.

3 Mayor and Councillors. I strongly object to this 'PLAN" particularly the way it has been handled. 5/29/2018 5:22 PM Like any town planning procedure it should have been submitted to those who are affected most. I believe this imposition is a serious breach of your vision and mission statements. Therefore regard this as a formal complaint and log it as such.Your AQ auditors should deal with it. At this stage I regard your actions as insensitive, arrogant, underhanded and opportunistic. Initial research might have been more prudent. DROP IT! And let people live in "pure serenity". You might redeem at least a little respect. Let farmers make their own arrangements and don't usurp your imagined power.

4 The best thing would be to shelve the plan. Why are these surveys not available at shopping 5/29/2018 4:45 PM centres in Corryong and Tallangatta? 5 I am very against the Shire being promoted as a hunting destination. We have enough trouble 5/29/2018 12:57 PM already with shooters. This whole plan is a grab for money for accommodation providers. Most farmers are happy to allow hunters who are known to be good and ethical on their property but the draft report is very vague about safeguards for landholders. Our Shire has so many beautiful features we really don't need to rely on attracting hunters 6 Dont do it, get on with basics, this is not a priority 5/29/2018 11:14 AM 7 No 5/29/2018 10:06 AM 8 Its all important, need to get existing businesses on board too. 5/29/2018 9:59 AM 9 How about focusing on environmental impact more. 5/29/2018 9:48 AM 10 Havent read it 5/29/2018 9:44 AM 11 Would like to know more about promotions of hunting activities and who pays for it. 5/29/2018 9:40 AM 12 Would like to know more about promotions of hunting activities and who pays for it 5/29/2018 9:39 AM 13 No 5/29/2018 9:25 AM 14 As a Farmer I am not interested in this as I have property that adjoins State Forrest and a Fire 5/29/2018 9:19 AM track at the back of the property. I have had cattle shot by other shooters. I feel it would be very hard to control this venture. 15 Get deer allowed to be used for pet food 5/10/2018 10:29 PM 16 As a farmer I am not interested in this as I have property that adjoins the state forest and a fire 5/9/2018 11:21 AM track at the back of the property. I have had cattle shot by other shooters. I feel it would be very hard to control this venture.

1 / 4 Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

17 In regards to tailoring businesses, firearm lockup and perhaps dog kennels and some sort of 5/8/2018 12:33 PM meat processing / cleaning facilities would go a long way. But hunters will find somewhere to camp regardless. Meat processing is a big one especially with large bodied deer like sambar. Although restrictions as to ensuring a consistent quality is hard, if they can do it with roos they can do it with deer. Carrying out sambar meat is where contamination happens as it is usually a time consuming activity. Better access to hunting land, especially fringe country with permisiion of landholders would do wonders to ensure a vehicle can be utilised within minutes of a clean kill and thus ensure some sort of stable quality. Any deer that do not meet the requirements can still be eaten and shared with family and friends. they used highland ponies to transport deer back to a vehicle and then back to the estates processing facilities (essentially a chiller). They were processed and left to hang for 3 or 4 days and once a week a meat truck would come and pickup for further processing elsewhere. They managed the game animals (red deer etc) while providing meat and pulling top dollar for eco tourism. Obviously Australia is a different country but their system is worth a look in this regard. Hunting should not be demonised but seen as a beneficial socio-economic resource. We can also assist in Rural Watch etc and be the eyes and ears in the wonderful Australian bush. Cheers.

18 Open more public land to licensed hunters 5/8/2018 6:24 AM

19 Registration of who is hunting where, for safety, better policing of illegal hunting activities. 5/6/2018 2:40 PM

20 Do not allow deer hunters into the area, they camp and do not spend any money, they leave 5/5/2018 3:19 PM rubbish in the bush, miss use land and do not adhere to rules.

21 Keep designated dear hunting areas at least one Kilometer from boundaries of private property. 5/4/2018 9:36 AM No shooting on private property.Heavier penalties for illegal hunting. 22 Sufficient game management personel to ensure compliance with hunting regulations. 5/4/2018 6:53 AM 23 Some defense against unlawful protest and boycotts 5/4/2018 12:56 AM 24 No 5/3/2018 9:09 PM 25 Maybe get the ssaa involved as they do this all the time help the farmers with pest control 5/3/2018 8:16 PM 26 I think this needs to very carefully thought through and much more consultation needs to 5/3/2018 8:07 PM happen 27 A local farmer/hunter register to address the deer issue in the Shire. 5/3/2018 8:03 PM 28 No 5/3/2018 7:07 PM 29 Not going through with it at all would be the best idea had to many problems in the past with 5/3/2018 12:20 PM them just shooting anything thats eyes glow for example cattle and horses 30 The hunting areas could be managed like the nsw r licence, where bookings for certain areas 5/3/2018 9:48 AM are made to ensure the safety of other hunters if the areas are not as large as the alpine park. 31 Policing illegal hunting on public land outside of hunting hours (ie; spotlighting) 5/3/2018 9:20 AM 32 more campgrounds in the area 5/3/2018 9:11 AM 33 Hunting information package, including maps and camps, New campsites 5/3/2018 8:38 AM 34 Access and ‘hunter friendly’ local businesses 5/3/2018 8:14 AM 35 N/A 5/2/2018 8:03 PM

36 Multi function outfitters offering fishing and hunting options 5/2/2018 5:17 PM

37 The plan has been developed on a false premise - that the residents of the Shire are supportive 5/2/2018 2:43 PM of deer hunting tourism. This is not the case - as the plan states recreational hunting is not seem in a positive light by a lot of people. A large proportion of residents and ratepayers are not at all supportive of increased hunting in the Shire. The plan states that it relates to the Vic Gov Sustainable Hunting Action Plan, yet that plan does not provide any role for local government within it's strategies. The Upper Murray 2030 plan identifies a range of tourism opportunities - have these been comparatively investigated? Why focus on deer hunting rather than other tourism opportunities? The Our Valley Our Future plan doesn't mention deer hunting at all - this is misleading in the TSHTAP draft. Towong Shire has a good opportunity to further develop nature based tourism, please focus on this, instead of wasting money on promoting deer- hunting.

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38 Scrap bringing in outside hunters , there are enough local hunters that will help someone out if 5/2/2018 2:40 PM they want deer shot , put your time into helping farmers with their deer problem rather than encouraging them to make money , if the deer numbers are controlled they will then in turn make money anyway . Local hunters have more respect for our land and our farms and know the area better. I am a local beef farmer and hunter and we already have an issue with illegal hunters and 30 cars going up our lane a week to get to the state forest. 39 I am against hunting and tourism 5/2/2018 1:00 PM

40 Coolrooms for hunters to tag and hang their meat rathet than relying on eskys. Campfire 5/2/2018 12:58 PM cooking with game meat... hunting expos.... such a big drawcard for a variety of possible events and expertise in the area. Taxidermy . Retail /online camping store set up as a physical place to book meet and purchase gear...

41 Clear mapping to provide to hunters of designated hunting areas, access conditions and define 5/2/2018 12:50 PM properties and no go zones to protect livestock/fencing from trespass and over-shots. Coordination with police and rangers to restrict and penalise non accredited/licensed hunters or those that break the code. 42 As I do not think the plan is beneficial or value added , or well thought out , I cannot add to this 4/30/2018 9:37 PM draft in this form

43 Maybe focus on local hunting community and help them make a living from the deer. 4/30/2018 8:38 PM

44 A more serious strategy would be to give up this action plan in order to protect the always 4/30/2018 3:25 PM growing number of tourists coming in the valley to enjoy bush walks, local products and quiet time. It would also provide a much safer life for the farmers and their families.

45 What about a general tourism plan. We have fishermen, Bush walkers and people Ike that who 4/30/2018 11:45 AM are becoming terrified or the high powered rifles being fired around them along walking tracks . 46 I believe for the safety of YOUR ratepayers more consideration must be given to those living on 4/29/2018 1:50 PM the bush lines. Exclusion zones need to be enforced. Who do we contact when living remotely we have issues with these hunters on or near our land. Perhaps hunters must register their movements so if there is any trouble they can be identified. Therefore landholders would know who and how many are in their area. Also as often there is no mobile service in these areas it would also assist in the event of an accident.

47 I have already filled out a hard copy but would like to add the following. Towong already has 4/27/2018 3:08 PM many tourism opportunities without the blood sport of deer hunting necessary.The Mitta Valley is becoming a food destination with it;s promotion of Mitta Valley Food and its many eating places. Corryong has established itself as' The man from Snowy River Country" . The Bethanga Peninsular can be the ideal "rural living" destination, and Tallangatta is buzzing , it is great to drive in to town and struggle to find a place to park. Well done Towong Shire, with the Murray River Road promotion we don't need the hunters. The State should be controlling the feral pests and the landholders will be able to do their bit. 48 I can't see at all why the Council would drive this. it is a matter for private enterprise. 4/25/2018 12:34 PM 49 Stop this foolishness now. The premise upon which this flawed strategy is not supported by any 4/25/2018 9:52 AM robust or other business case. No lending institution will outlay funds to any business reliant upon this or the deer hunting fraternity. That in and of itself is telling beyond any other purported pie in the sky nonsense touted by vested interests. 50 Commercial deer processing plant to turn the carcasses into a useful by-product such as pet 4/21/2018 9:08 PM food and fertilizer. This comment recognises the significant hurdles that must be overcome in order to make the meat available for human consumption. 51 All year hunting 4/21/2018 8:33 AM

52 Scrap the plan, no way to secure ideas listed safely 4/21/2018 7:29 AM

53 No 4/20/2018 7:57 AM

54 This is a terrible idea to encourage slaughtering of these animals in such an inhumane way. If 4/20/2018 7:46 AM deers are such an issue rather than cowboys taking aim it should be left to professionals. This further encourages the gun culture. I,m very disappointed to hear of this idea. My ancestors who were responsible for settling this district would be horrified ,

55 Commercially licensed hunters to cull deer, carcass utilisation, greater resourcing for policing of 4/18/2018 8:23 AM illegal behaviours. No promotion from Council avenues - Council can be an enabler but shouldn’t be seen as a promoter 56 Hunters notifying police of there hunting activity so police can identify rogue activity . 4/17/2018 11:28 PM

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57 The plan does not address the very real impact of poachers and illegal trespassers on private 4/17/2018 5:37 PM land and the damage they do. This needs to be included in the plan The SWAT analysis and economic considerations in the plan need to be improved to include a proper list of the negatives - such as reduction in family and other recreational use as guns, dogs and bullets don't mix with other users of private and public land. The plan then needs to consider how the negatives are to be dealt with 58 Secure all properties that are adjacent to the state park where you will be offering these hunters 4/17/2018 5:26 PM to go to. 59 Property that joins state park be full deer fenced as to draw a straight line as to where they can 4/17/2018 5:23 PM an can’t go

60 The plan itself is well thought out however our main concern should be to ensure not to attract 4/17/2018 10:55 AM the wrong crowd into the area and create more problems. I am talking about recent arrests in Mansfiled/Jamieson area for the problem that has been spanning for decades, with irresponsible gun owners/hunters coming to the area. 61 Providing clear access "hunting maps" to registered deer hunting clubs and associations so that 4/15/2018 2:00 PM their members know what is available and are encouraged to attend this area. "Accrediting" deer hunters through a registration and badging process so that those who are hunting in our area can be clearly identified as passing the muster and are OK. Entering into a commercial partnership with carriers and processors (e.g. Uncle Bens in Wodonga) to provide well publicised pick up points for deer carcasses in the Shire, so as to encourage deer hunters to NOT leave carcasses in the bush for wild dogs to feed on. Encourage local tourism accommodation suppliers to welcome accredited deer hunters. Selling the general population of Towong Shire as to the benefits of having deer hunters active in the Shire. Obtaining the approval of the local Farmers Federation people to endorse accredited hunters. 62 How do you stop idiots poaching, non locals getting lost, are we going to be putting up with 4/14/2018 8:15 PM heros with guns?

63 Do not promote the activity at all. Why is everything commercially bound. Residents in these 4/3/2018 11:31 AM areas do not get any benefit only HARRASSMENT and inconvenience by a few shooters and their dogs 64 getting laws changed to process the venison and sell it to the community 3/30/2018 8:53 AM 65 DO NOT DO IT 3/27/2018 4:09 PM 66 Target marketing to nsw hunting clubs provide group accommodation 3/21/2018 11:54 PM

67 Inclusions for interstate hunters in the wild dog bounty and provisions for farms/property owners 3/21/2018 5:07 PM who wish to be contacted by reputable hunters.

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APPENDIX 8

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM SURVEY QUESTION 4 RESPONSES

Page 41 of 44

Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

Q4 If you rated any of the draft strategies as "Not at all important", please tell us why.

Answered: 56 Skipped: 103

# RESPONSES DATE 1 I live on a farm and I am aware of the problem of deer on local farms and in the Forrest I think 6/5/2018 3:56 PM deer are best managed by local shooters and farmers.Does Towong Shire wish to be known as a shooters mecca? We have much better attributes to promote than encouraging more shooters into the area.I find it quite disturbing. We certainly dont want shooters and we dont want hunting dogs. We have a serious wild dog problem now. 2 Would not answer any of them because any reply would endorse your collective thought 5/29/2018 5:22 PM bubble. Here is my story:- spotlight within 40m of house 1 deer shot on my place - 3 voices against mine 2 wombats I know of - one I had to put down, shot in the neck, starving (good photo!) Gun-shy dog wakes me up at all hours Bullet hole in caravan (which is on the block) One group uses "my" UHF channel One local (breeder??) looking for three lost hunting dogs Two cowboys walked up to a semi tame deer, shot, missed, run it down in car on property where they were told not to go 3 s doing well without hunters. We have trouble maintaining a peaceful and 5/29/2018 4:45 PM tranquil environment already without extra gun shots nearby at all hours of the night. Duck hunting is a bloody nightmare with shooting starting well before dawn - why would anyone suggestion adding to our misery. The hunters I know sleep in a swag during the day and hunt at night - they don't want to spend money. 4 Deer should be designated a pest species and farmers should be allowed to hunt anytime but 5/29/2018 12:57 PM most importantly Government needs to clean up its land - feral animals and plants out of control and impacting on farmers. None of this needs Shire funding. This is all to benefit private enterprise. Deer control is important but his is a problem of the government making. Why are deer a protected species? What other non native animal has this status? The government has allowed, actually encouraged, the spread of deer on Crown Land because they have been too slow to perceive the huge and rapid population explosion as a threat. They have allowed shooting bodies to take over control of the whole issues because they have no will to do anything about it. Firstly, change the law to make deer a pest animal, not a protected one. change the law in Victoria to be able to use deer meat for human consumption and pet food and encourage it. What a waste of good meat when shooters take the antlers and leave the carcasses further feeding wild dogs and creating more problems 5 Need to spend Council and Government money on better roads, lower rates and better services 5/29/2018 11:14 AM to your Community 6 Think you need to build the infrastructure and market it well, its untapped at the moment. 5/29/2018 10:06 AM 7 They are all important, just make sure you do it well. 5/29/2018 9:59 AM 8 Its a waste of time and money dont agree with hunting in any shape or form. 5/29/2018 9:48 AM 9 N/A 5/29/2018 9:44 AM

10 Not a big focus area for me 5/29/2018 9:39 AM

11 No 5/29/2018 9:25 AM

12 Not in favor of bringing in Hunters 5/29/2018 9:19 AM

13 Not in favor of bringing in hunters. 5/9/2018 11:21 AM

14 you should be encouraging tourism of people who are not toting guns around. 5/7/2018 7:08 AM

15 No deer hunters 5/5/2018 3:19 PM

16 The local community will make minimal money from hunters as they come completely prepared. 5/4/2018 8:23 PM Guns, ammo, tents, fully equipped 4wd, dogs, knives, food and drink they have it all ready before they hit the shire. 17 Please refer to paragraph 3 5/4/2018 9:36 AM 18 Don't want to see a situation where certain individuals have exclusive rights on public land. 5/4/2018 6:53 AM 19 None 5/4/2018 12:56 AM

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20 N/A 5/3/2018 9:09 PM

21 Its all extremely important 5/3/2018 8:07 PM

22 I find the plan is off topic to the real issues at hand. 5/3/2018 8:03 PM

23 Annual Deer hunting season - the status quo should be sufficient 5/3/2018 7:07 PM

24 A restricted season on Game will reduce hunting opportunities and thus reduce the revenue 5/3/2018 12:25 PM opportunity.

25 Because you shouldnt be inviting the country to come here and start shooting everything 5/3/2018 12:20 PM

26 Accomodation I believe in pubs etc could become an issue with alcohol and firearms. 5/3/2018 9:48 AM Designated camping areas within the hunting areas and also designated accomodation within the town that has the suitable requirements for hunters like areas to hang wet clothing, hang meat without being offensive, stainless steel bench tops to clean up skins or trophies again without being offensive to the public or in plain view. As we all know not everyone likes hunting deer and I believe it’s best to keep the butchering and trophy prep away from the public eye if there are people that find it offensive.

27 No 5/3/2018 8:38 AM

28 I don't believe the draft plan to be something that will benefit the Towong Shire. 5/2/2018 8:03 PM

29 Deer hunting season is asking for trouble , marketing hunting in the area is also asking for 5/2/2018 2:40 PM trouble and not what our community want , bring money in ,in other safer ways that aren't risking people's lives

30 I don’t want the area to be promoted as a hunting tourism 5/2/2018 1:00 PM

31 Unsure about lifting restrictions on deer for processing as it would need to bw heavily tested to 5/2/2018 12:58 PM ensure it was clean of any diseases for processing. I understand alot of hunters feed their families pets and friend with what they hunt but turning it into a commercial process where food regulations are so strong to prevent mass contamination is high risk . 32 N/A 5/2/2018 12:50 PM

33 I don’t think that the questions asked gave enough scope . There seems to be a great space 4/30/2018 9:37 PM between this idea of the council , what the townsfolk , farmers and hunters want . Who want to be known as Target Towong. It is a very short sighted plan that has latched onto a much larger problem! 34 I dont agree with the area becoming s hunting tourism destinstion. The key demograghic is not 4/30/2018 8:38 PM broad enough. 30 to 40 year old males with guns. To br honest this does not sound like the most friendly environment to visit.

35 I absolutely don't believe that hunting tourism will be any good for the economy. They come with 4/30/2018 3:25 PM all their food and equipment and camp in the bush, sometimes on private properties without any permission. It will however scare away any other holiday makers. Creating a hunting season would concentrate the pressure created by hunters and potentially be more dangerous. Marketing and packaging : spending money on marketing something that I believe will adversely impact our community is obviously a bad idea. 36 Because there should be these pans for all the tourists we try to attract not just people with 4/30/2018 11:45 AM guns who are the last ones we want to encourage even though they will still come anyway. 37 I strongly believe this is not a worthwhile project for our shire. The money spent on this could be 4/29/2018 1:50 PM much better spent on more pressing problems eg: road maintenance, recycling, youth activities, health & wellbeing. I don’t believe a vast majority of rate payers and businesses will not benefit from these hunters coming to our area. All hunters I know come up and head bush to camp. Many do not access any services you list. Also will campsites and areas be policed? If yes by who, the local police do not have the resources to go around ensuring all hunters are doing “the right thing” eg storing firearms and ammunition correctly, only hunting in approved areas, ensuring if animals are shot are they being killed humanely or are they left wounded.

38 they are not important for Council to be involved in. there are plenty of hunters here already and 4/25/2018 12:34 PM more will come. Business should respond to the demand when there is one.

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39 See earlier point. The strategy is fatally flawed and not addressing any of the short medium or 4/25/2018 9:52 AM long term issues affecting economic growth and sustainability in the shire. Any person with a modicum of intelligence and commercial experience knows the deer shooter is almost entirely self sufficient, bringing with them camping gear, food and all other equipment to avoid 'regional cost' add and risk of lack of local availability. Factor that most shoot over weekends and arrive late out of normal business hours and are established on the 'stalk' next day with a clear reluctance to travel other than when leaving the strategy is palpable nonsense dreamt up by certifiable fools. Who one must ask are almost to a person in charge of failed or failing businesses and looking for the most desperate of 'pie in the sky' initiatives to prolong their already lack of commercial viability

40 Deer may be hunted year round in VIC, formalising a hunting season could restrict impact 4/24/2018 6:15 AM management 41 I do not believe that the type of hunting that attracts deer hunters to the Shire is aligned or linked 4/21/2018 9:08 PM with commercial tourism; they are simply self sufficient outdoor types who prefer to camp outdoors and are not looking for homestead or BnB type accommodation.

42 Hospitality opportunities really only benefit pubs etc. The residents directly affected generally do 4/21/2018 7:29 AM not want hunting stuff in their homes, if BandB type accomodation is considered. The deer need controlling but not by people who could not be regulated properly. Also many land owners just don't want this element on or around their properties. 43 Nil 4/20/2018 7:57 AM

44 Just a very poor idea and lacking value 4/20/2018 7:46 AM 45 Council shouldn’t promote and market hunting instead it should give landowners and tourist 4/18/2018 8:23 AM operators the tools to greater enable the attraction of legal hunters

46 I do not believe that that the majority of individual lifestyles and community values will be 4/17/2018 5:37 PM enhanced in Towong Shire by encouraging more hunters into the area. Landholders already have enough problems with illegal trespassers who have no respect for them or their property The quiet serenity and bushland of Towong Shire are its strength and point of difference - it does not need to become the mecca for the Australian Deer Hunter. Those businesses that are benefiting from hunters are generating their own momentum and should not be dragging the rest of the Shire - particularly those who will be adversely affected by their personal businesses publicity – into a situation where it is more difficult to conduct normal business 47 I don't agree with the proposed draft as a whole. I believe the safety of those living in the area 4/17/2018 5:26 PM have not been considered.

48 I don’t think that this is a good idea at all not got my vote 4/17/2018 5:23 PM 49 The only important parts of this strategy is to stop idiots poaching and shooting stock, cutting 4/14/2018 8:15 PM fences and getting lost

50 Annual deer hunting season: creating an artificial season for the sake of marketing and 4/4/2018 12:57 PM promotion is the kind of thing that hunters will see through quickly. 51 This is purely a commercial activity that does not benefit the majority of people who only want to 4/3/2018 11:31 AM enjoy the natural surrounds 52 Why give the profits of our game meat to an outside organisation. 3/30/2018 8:53 AM

53 WE HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLES WITH DEER HUNTER, WHY IN HELL WOULD WE WANT 3/27/2018 4:09 PM MORE OF THEM, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL, WELL I WILL SELL YOU THE SYDNEY HARBOR BRIDGE FOR $50.00 54 Drawing the wrong crowd to a small community, will only cause further illegal hunting activities 3/22/2018 6:07 AM in the area if it is made well known for its deer population. 55 most hunters like to camp in the bush, most hunters do not need guides and are self relient 3/21/2018 4:24 PM 56 Because Hunting Tourism is a poorly conceived idea that will cause many more problems than 3/21/2018 2:05 PM it will solve. There are much better tourism potential projects that could be explored and implemented

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APPENDIX 9

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM SURVEY QUESTION 5 RESPONSES

Page 42 of 44

Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

Q5 What do you see as the biggest barrier to the success of the Plan and why?

Answered: 78 Skipped: 81

# RESPONSES DATE 1 Illegal hunting and policing it. Resources. 6/5/2018 4:00 PM 2 Farmer concern. Lack of ability to control shooters and where they will go. 6/5/2018 3:56 PM

3 a) publicity - sooner or later someone will Facebook dogs bringing down a deer b) (reported) 5/29/2018 5:22 PM rubbish left at camp sites c) cost of changing fuzzy "pure serenity" signs d) more cowboys spot lighting along road - irresponsible shooting, livestock, other animals (brumbies at Benambra!!), street furniture etc e) dogs left behind f) until recently, target (weekends) practice nearby g) potential conflict, injury. there are always more than one, thus proving anything is difficult h) traffic, recent 9 4WDs, 11pm, burning up the road

4 There is total opposition to the plan amongst farmers I have spoken to. Farmers don't need 5/29/2018 4:45 PM pushy hunters that are looking for places to hunt. Most people already have a coupe of hunters that they trust to cull deer.

5 The backlash from rate payers seeing their already exhortation rates being wasted on yet 5/29/2018 12:57 PM another non core shire issue. It looks like our rates will be going to support private enterprise. the shooters association have such power and are saying that they spend so much money that the government gets excited that this is yet another way to fill their coffers and let these associations take control of what should clearly be a government solution to a government problem 6 Its not a priority 5/29/2018 11:14 AM 7 people feel hunting is wrong and wont see long term economic gain from it. People are too 5/29/2018 10:06 AM small minded. 8 Youre existing businesses, they dont think broadly enough. 5/29/2018 9:59 AM 9 Environmentalists like me wont let it happen. 5/29/2018 9:48 AM 10 people dont like hunting and would see Council involvement as a waste of money 5/29/2018 9:44 AM 11 Public opinions and money 5/29/2018 9:39 AM 12 Money - Council has none and Community wont pay neither will businesses. 5/29/2018 9:25 AM 13 There is enough shooting in the country even in Corryong Without bringing in shooting groups. 5/29/2018 9:19 AM 14 Community opposition, As there is lots of bad anecdotal evidence which supports community 5/9/2018 10:45 AM concerns 15 The Greens and the notion of locking up the bush and leaving it, etc 5/8/2018 12:33 PM 16 lack of control in regards to compliance. cant control the hunters now. dont encourage more 5/7/2018 7:08 AM 17 One difficulty is the amount of illegal hunting activities taking place. If this cannot be regulated 5/6/2018 2:40 PM properly then neither could an increase in hunting traffic. One other big difficulty is that most often hunting occurs in shared use forests/parks where people are camping, fishing, bush walking and bike riding. If not managed properly hunting could deter this large market segment we already have from coming. Safety of all users should be top priority. Also the plan is too successful then it will not be feasible at all, as whilst deer numbers are currently high, there are only a finite number. If we had 5 years of heavy hunting traffic then we may no longer have anything to promote. 18 Deer hunters do not respect rules 5/5/2018 3:19 PM 19 There are some sections of the community who are against hunting at all costs. I think this plan 5/5/2018 1:04 AM strikes a very good balance and seeks to implement hunting tourism in a balanced and safe way. If people can be educated a lot of the noise will die away. 20 The local residents. We don't want dickheads with guns roaming around the valley. 5/4/2018 8:23 PM 21 As a hunter I do not want this activity promoted as I am inundated with requests to hunt on my 5/4/2018 9:36 AM property and some don't ask.

22 The current push to have deer declared a pest and lose their current status of Game Animal. 5/4/2018 6:53 AM

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23 Animal liberation types who may influence city elected representative who don’t understand rural 5/4/2018 12:56 AM areas

24 Corryong is the victim of its geographical location. We could possibly only attract hunters from 5/3/2018 9:09 PM relatively local areas.

25 Selling it too the ones that have had a gut full of the rogue hunters 5/3/2018 8:16 PM

26 Lack of good planning and communication 5/3/2018 8:07 PM

27 The lack of education in the community causing huge divides between the local hunters 5/3/2018 8:03 PM

28 Land owners not being happy with hunters on their properties 5/3/2018 7:17 PM

29 Anti hunting agenda pushing in the opposite direction. 5/3/2018 7:07 PM

30 With an increase in traffic will come Illegal hunting. This is not currently being policed 5/3/2018 12:25 PM effectively.

31 Far to difficult to regulate 5/3/2018 12:20 PM

32 The public’s fear/hatred of hunting deer and other animals. They are a resource and should be 5/3/2018 9:48 AM treated as such. Having a season and having hunters take animals only during that season is a great way for game management and also promoting the use of lean organic meat for their friends and families.

33 The greens and legal access to public land (parts of the Alpine NP) 5/3/2018 9:20 AM

34 getting community support 5/3/2018 9:11 AM

35 No reason a sound plan executed with integrity won't be able to capitalise in the market. 5/3/2018 8:38 AM 36 Hunter compliance 5/2/2018 10:55 PM

37 I don't want tourists coming and slaughtering deer with spotlights. Local deer hunters who do it 5/2/2018 8:03 PM for a hobby and who actually make good use of the meat have a hard enough time getting access to land to deer hunt. It is unfair to those local hunters 38 Clear benefit risk assessment well communicated 5/2/2018 5:17 PM

39 I don't believe developing this plan is a sound use of rate-payers money. The focus is on a 5/2/2018 2:43 PM business enterprise that may benefit a few, but cause concern and havoc for more people. The Shire needs to take a broader look at nature-based tourism.. 40 No local or farmer is going to be for a loan that will potentially encourage people with high 5/2/2018 2:40 PM powered rifles to our area , we dont know who they may be or whether they are competent with a gun , and it's to big or a risk .

41 Uneducated locals because of fear 5/2/2018 1:34 PM 42 Illegal shooters and spotlighters being attracted to our area and creating havoc with their 5/2/2018 1:07 PM unregulated activities. It is silly to suggest that current enforcement is anwhere near adequate. When I last phoned police regarding illegal spotlighting on our public road outside our house I was told there was nothing they could do as the nearest police were in Wodonga. 43 Renegade hunters 5/2/2018 1:00 PM

44 The small minded attitude of the community trying to keep the town from moving forward. Only 5/2/2018 12:58 PM promoting activities that they think are good for the town based on thier personal interests. The community needs education and reassurance that this is not about attracting poachers and criminals to the area. Hunting in every level is performed by everyday people just like us all. 45 If the restrictions on use of carcasses for human consumption or pet food are not amended then 5/2/2018 12:50 PM there will be a conflict between wild dog control and hunters as carcasses are left to feed dogs.

46 The Plan is the biggest barrier, full of Jargon and speculation. Not really caring about the greater 4/30/2018 9:37 PM community. 47 The community. I dont think the engagement has been strong enough. Alot of people a not 4/30/2018 8:38 PM happy anout this concept. Farmers, local hunters, residence. I mean how does it actually benifit the people thst live here. Who wants to live next to a dog kennel for huntimg dogs. That has to ne the worst idea of the lot.

48 An overwhelming community opposition against a full hardy proposal. That would not benefit the 4/30/2018 3:25 PM community. 49 Opposition from the ratepayers. What’s it got to do with Council and the use of our rates if we 4/30/2018 11:45 AM people want to encourage hunters and put them up.

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50 Lack of resources to ensure everyone plays the game in the manner in which you have set up. 4/29/2018 1:50 PM There will always be “rouge” hunters who will jeopardise the program and safety of others. I believe Towong Shire should not be known as the place to come to shoot randomly with little consequence. I believe the ratepayers are not being valued. Your happy to take our money for rates but don’t care about our feelings towards our land and our lives 51 Community and ratepayer opposition. The amount of time and effort already being taken up 4/25/2018 12:34 PM trying to manage illegal hunting and control dangerous behaviour. That should be a wakeup call for Council or do they expect people and farmers to manage it,

52 See earlier comments. Driven by vested interests (shooting organisations who've worn out their 4/25/2018 9:52 AM welcome elsewhere) with no commercial acumen or understanding of the real lack of 'economy' for local business from almost entirely 'drive in drive out' itinerant shooters. The anti social and stupid behaviour of so many of this fraternity threaten the very reason Towong touts 'pure'. Only this week a local found one of these fools 'stalking' a red deer in a bush block behind their property. Mustering cattle that had escaped into the block they were almost shot by this fool stalking a Hereford calf! Biggest barrier? The lack of commercial intellect and sound commercial statistics that would put paid to this nonsense. This is not a strategy it is childish and wishful thinking. Show me the cost benefit analysis, show me the percentage of shooters who hire guides, hire vehicles, stay in accommodation of any type rather than 'under canvas' show me the viable industry figures from anywhere in Australia that support this garbage. Show me the figures for when the majority of shooters arrive, day of week, time of day, how they would access 'these businesses' set up to service the industry... How do these business remain viable out of season or on other days? Is this a cottage industry? Puerile nonsense.

53 1. Matching landholder needs with hunter expectations. Those providers who sell an experience 4/24/2018 6:15 AM are doing well now because they are pioneers, and perhaps because they have bush on their property. Many farms in the shire are only attractive to hunters because they have a huntable public land boundary. How will such farms de-conflict hunter access and provide safety and exclusivity for clients? How will two neighboring properties de-conflict access - who will be liable? People will pay for good accommodation and exclusive access, but cannot charge for access to public land, nor advertise exclusive access to public land behind the private land. Properties with public land access tracks through or behind their boundaries will continue to have illegal hunting, and will have increased hunter traffic passing through to public land. 2. Trophy hunting, and managing trophy deer herds. Few hunters will pay to shoot female deer, so the focus will be on trophy stags. The landholder will still need to cull female deer to reduce impacts, but with the additional burden of not shooting stags that may be future trophies, and preventing illegal hunting. Properties such as Water Valley in SA (100km2) are fenced yet they still cant keep their deer in and poachers out. Given that we need the fire trail network in the public land - how will Towong farmers do it?. 54 Towong Council because they have no experience or understanding of the problem that 4/21/2018 9:08 PM landholders want to address in terms of deer; it's about control and reduction in the feral deer population.

55 Beaurocracy 4/21/2018 8:33 AM 56 Hunters are independent people who won't conform to regulations, many would flaunt any 4/21/2018 7:29 AM method of control

57 The red-neck element who illegally spotlight, poach and ignore land owners rights. 4/20/2018 7:57 AM Unfortunately, this element does a great deal of damage to the sport and steps must be taken to bring them to account, otherwise non-hunting people have the misconception that all hunters just want to shoot animals and disrespect the rule of law. In addition, it is my experience true hunters are deeply concerned about the environment and the animal they hunt, they are respectful to land owners and the law. These “good” hunters must be promoted so that others hear the good news stories about what a great sport hunting is.

58 Lack of humanity 4/20/2018 7:46 AM 59 Little to no understanding of the concept of the plan, negative attitudes limiting discussion from 4/18/2018 8:23 AM positive people. Load and outspoken negative people utilising social media to portray the plan in a negative fashion 60 Deer utilisation and carcass removal 4/17/2018 11:28 PM

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61 This question implies that the plan can be a success – yes it will be for a few – but not for 4/17/2018 5:37 PM everyone!! The plan does not adequately address the concerns of the majority of residents and rate payers who will be impacted by it. The plan can never address the concerns of landholders regarding compliance of hunters to their legal obligations. The plan can never adequately address – for landholders the issues regarding their own safety/trespassing/poaching/illegal entrance etc… because it is not in the Shires sphere to make legislative changes that would put some monitoring and regulating of hunting within the Shires public land, in place There are a lot of people in the community who do not know of this plan to attract more hunters to Towong Shire and if they did they are likely to not support it – as most people do not want to provide an opportunity for guns, dogs and camouflage dressed hunters acting irresponsibly in their neighbourhood and this can never be regulated or monitored. The majority of supporters of the plan are those who will benefit directly in the service industry (accommodation, food…) and their supporters who have not considered or are not aware of the many broad range of negatives associated with the plan. may have eliminated their yahoo 40 hunters, all they have done is move them on to another location – whether private or public land – and no one is talking about that!!

62 The safety of the community. The consideration of those who will have to put up with these 4/17/2018 5:26 PM people letting off their gun shots, noisy vehicles, general noisiness all hours of the day and night. People don't live in the country to put up hooligans and have constant fear for their safety.

63 Red necks drunk an high on god only knows what all running in the bush with high power rifles 4/17/2018 5:23 PM in area they not familiar with

64 I explained under #3, irresponsible gun owners/hunters, spot-lighting at night, destroying 4/17/2018 10:55 AM farmers' property and livestock. Unfortunately, our Laws and regulations are often not followed as strictly as they should be when guns are concerned. 65 To me the biggest barrier is getting rid of carcasses. If facilities are not available to do this then 4/15/2018 2:00 PM there is no incentive for removal of carcasses and no incentive for hunters to cull more than one deer each. The population of deer is ballooning to such a degree that it needs positive and effective management of the issue of how many deer hunters can kill and of the disposal of carcasses. 66 Idiots with guns who do not know the area 4/14/2018 8:15 PM 67 Not enough access to land to hunt. 4/4/2018 12:57 PM 68 Hopefully people will actively rally against the proposition 4/3/2018 11:31 AM 69 too much red tape 3/30/2018 8:53 AM 70 IF YOU THINK YOU WILL ONLY ATTRACT THE RESPONSIBLE HUNTERS-- YOUR 3/27/2018 4:09 PM DREAMING, YOU WILL ENCOURAGE ALL THE RAT BAGS 71 Finance issues 3/27/2018 2:30 PM 72 You will always have "groups" that don't agree with hunting that may protest against it 3/22/2018 2:31 PM 73 Poachers 3/22/2018 6:07 AM 74 Organised opposition from animal rights groups. They are social media savvy and know how to 3/22/2018 5:33 AM appear larger than they are. Press on regardless... the hunting community outnumbers them easily, and will reward your shire with their visits. 75 Green minority's influencing gov decision making 3/21/2018 11:54 PM

76 Anti hunting sentiment and illegal/poaching hunting 3/21/2018 5:07 PM

77 Encouraging and advertising Towong Shire as a hunting Mecca will encourage rogue hunters 3/21/2018 3:08 PM into the area. We already have huge issues with people illegally hunting on our property. This Plan will encourage some responsible hunters but will also advertise to irresponsible people that they can hunt in the Towong Shire.

78 Guns and hunting and the negative impacts on other people in the shire - residents and visitors 3/21/2018 2:05 PM alike.

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APPENDIX 10

TOWONG SHIRE HUNTING TOURISM SURVEY QUESTION 6 RESPONSES

Page 43 of 44

Towong Shire Hunting Tourism Strategy

Q6 What do you see as the greatest opportunity in relation to developing Hunting Tourism in Towong Shire?

Answered: 79 Skipped: 80

# RESPONSES DATE 1 A local Game abattoir. Improved access for hunters 6/5/2018 4:00 PM 2 Nothing 6/5/2018 3:56 PM

3 None! Except for a few who were at the right place at the right time! (Ho-hum to that one). 5/29/2018 5:22 PM Benefit for the community? Where is the research? That spurious article in the weekly times is a con!. How much of every tourist dollar is/was attributed to hunting? Locals, sight seers, snow traffic. A different geography, I have seen them driving in t 5-6am on weekends. Who.what is open in town at that time? Except maybe accommodation. but then, most are campers.

4 There is no opportunities - only negatives. There are great opportunities to lobby state 5/29/2018 4:45 PM government to have deer declared vermin and get funding for a control/eradication program like the wild dog program.

5 If there are deer, hunters will come. Word of mouth is enough. Do not spend money that the 5/29/2018 12:57 PM Shire doesn't have on this issue. IN PARTICULAR DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON SIGNAGE. This shire heeds to reduce signage ad strengthen laws about the proliferation of signs adverting businesses that are popping up in paddocks. 6 Dont do it. 5/29/2018 11:14 AM 7 provide a point of difference to other hunting destinations. 5/29/2018 10:06 AM 8 Your businesses 5/29/2018 9:59 AM 9 Become an environment tourism hub instead. 5/29/2018 9:48 AM 10 Good for farmers as an additional stream of income 5/29/2018 9:44 AM 11 Think its good youre after public opinion 5/29/2018 9:39 AM 12 Getting funding 5/29/2018 9:25 AM 13 I dont see any great opportunity in Tourism through this venture. A very poor way to get tourism 5/29/2018 9:19 AM into the area. 14 There is enough shooting in the country, even in Corryong, without bringing in shooting groups. 5/9/2018 11:21 AM 15 Retail outlets including Food, Fuel, Accommodation and Associated hunting gear outlets would 5/9/2018 10:45 AM realise the greatest opportunities. Also add on income for farmers who allow access to their land.

16 Well at the end of the day its bringing more visitors and dollars to regional and rural areas 5/8/2018 12:33 PM 17 National ad campaigns 5/8/2018 6:24 AM

18 greater opportunity of getting shot while out enjoying our bushland 5/7/2018 7:08 AM 19 Guided hunting tours and accomodation. 5/6/2018 2:40 PM 20 Deer Meat 5/5/2018 3:19 PM 21 Additional visitation. More visitors to our accommodation providers and shops in towns. It’s 5/5/2018 1:04 AM exciting. 22 Isn't the only real opportunity is the Shires Major getting more business for his family owned 5/4/2018 8:23 PM accommodation and pub in Dartmouth. 23 None, just more red tape. 5/4/2018 9:36 AM 24 Deer are the only plentiful large mammal that can be legally hunted by individuals where as all 5/4/2018 6:53 AM native wildlife are protected and cannot be hunted. 25 Local employment. Butchers , taxidermy, land access , acomodation. All working together to 5/4/2018 12:56 AM see what is a natural resource like any other tourism activity 26 If successful, the plan will bring additional revenue into the district. 5/3/2018 9:09 PM

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27 I’d like too see a pest control part in place for the farmers as well so they can either make a 5/3/2018 8:16 PM second income off the meat etc or engage legal registered hunters too do it and maybe they get a fee for letting them harvest the meat etc.

28 Possibly bring people into our beautiful area but we need to do this very carefully and keep the 5/3/2018 8:07 PM lines of communication open for some time yet

29 I currently see no opportunity that will benefit the Shire. 5/3/2018 8:03 PM

30 Addressing the issue of large numbers of the introduced species. 5/3/2018 7:48 PM

31 Bringing a lot of new people to the area and also the financial benefits 5/3/2018 7:17 PM

32 Greater visitor numbers. More suitable accommodation options may see more people 5/3/2018 7:07 PM accompanying a hunter, not hunting themselves, using other activities etc,

33 $ 5/3/2018 12:25 PM

34 Probably to upset the people who actually live in the shire 5/3/2018 12:20 PM

35 The promotion of the use of venison as a regular addition to people’s diets and the offal/offcuts 5/3/2018 9:48 AM as feed for dogs.

36 Financial gain for local economy 5/3/2018 9:20 AM

37 business for store owners 5/3/2018 9:11 AM

38 The fact hunters are welcomed publicly 5/3/2018 8:38 AM

39 More people into shire spending money 5/2/2018 10:55 PM 40 N/A 5/2/2018 8:03 PM

41 Expansion of business opportunities, income and employment 5/2/2018 5:17 PM 42 I don't see the development of hunting tourism as an ethical, environmentally sound, profitable 5/2/2018 2:43 PM or useful opportunity for Towong Shire.

43 Nil 5/2/2018 2:40 PM 44 Massive potential for business growth. 5/2/2018 1:34 PM

45 Nil 5/2/2018 1:00 PM 46 Showing a shire that is accepting of all visitors... boosting the visitors through the shire.... 5/2/2018 12:58 PM becoming a area to visit for many reasons... love that the building art on walls project is creating that for art. Think its amazing that it can be done through promoting hunting aswell.

47 Reduction in deer population 5/2/2018 12:50 PM 48 Deer hunters are coming to the region, why not capitalise on this? 5/2/2018 11:49 AM

49 Upsetting the constituents or perhaps getting a few shot. The council has no implementation for 4/30/2018 9:37 PM the rogue hunter now , let alone more coming in. Less deer maybe , but less holiday makers , less quiet , less community, take a look at what is happening in Omeo . 50 The processing of meat that otherwise is just going to be left for to rot. 4/30/2018 8:38 PM

51 I honestly can't see any good coming out of it. I live with my partner on a beef cattle property 4/30/2018 3:25 PM that is our livelihood. We had numerous problems with hunters over the years and I Don't believe that anything in the hunting tourism plan will improve this situation. 52 Letting it develop itself and people who want to setting up things to meet what they want to buy 4/30/2018 11:45 AM if anything. Most buy their stuff before they get here and just hunt.

53 NONE 4/29/2018 1:50 PM 54 Letting business do it .Then it is a business decision not being driven by an organisation outside 4/25/2018 12:34 PM our Shire which doesn"t have to face any of the consequences

55 There is no opportunity and nothing but downside for landholders, residents and rate payers 4/25/2018 9:52 AM and law enforcement. Other than identifying the rampant stupidity resident in the council, and/or, perhaps, the possibility that one of the brain dead proponents (including councillors) of this scheme is voted out of office next election by an enraged electorate suffering the consequences of this 'strategy' or involved in a failed business enterprise that makes them pack up and leave the area for ever! Heaven forbid that any one is injured through 'this opportunity'... 56 Sell the hunting experience, not trophies - it has the broadest impact on deer populations, the 4/24/2018 6:15 AM greatest value to the most people, and carries the least liability and admin burden.

57 None 4/21/2018 9:08 PM

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58 Reduce deer numbers 4/21/2018 8:33 AM 59 None, in fact this plan would put other tourists 'off' coming to holiday and visit this pristine area. 4/21/2018 7:29 AM Nobody wants to see crates of barking dogs and dead deer carcasses dripping over hunters vehicles as they park in towns. Also other visitors would fear the prospect of being shot at by these hunters, as was experienced by a family member.

60 Promoting hunting as a sport and increasing the tourism dollar coming to the region. 4/20/2018 7:57 AM 61 Poor idea, lacking compassion for the animals, encouraging the wrong type of tourist. 4/20/2018 7:46 AM

62 By enabling landowners and tourism operators to cater for this market an economic benefit can 4/18/2018 8:23 AM be achieved. As the good hunters come into the area the illegal hunters will be pushed out 63 More employment for local Small business 4/17/2018 11:28 PM

64 There are no ‘great opportunities in relation to developing Hunting Tourism in Towong Shire’ 4/17/2018 5:37 PM and this question illustrates the fallacy of the assumed premise!! A few service providers will make some $$$ and the rest of us will have our lifestyle compromised. How many of the Shires residents have actually been consulted regarding the Shire’s push for increased numbers of tourists anyway – getting to Albury Wodonga now takes longer as one crawls along behind caravan conveys??? 65 nothing 4/17/2018 5:26 PM

66 more jobs and opportunities for locals that will bring more money to the area 4/17/2018 10:55 AM 67 Increased visitation due to development of deer hunting accommodation and disposal facilities 4/15/2018 2:00 PM in the area, thus resulting in increased tourist $'s spent in our towns and outlying areas.

68 None 4/14/2018 8:15 PM 69 Exposure of the region to a broader audience 4/4/2018 12:57 PM

70 NONE 4/3/2018 11:31 AM 71 keeping deer numbers down 3/30/2018 8:53 AM

72 I ONLY SEE DOWNFALLS, PLEASE SHOW SOME COMMONSENSE AND THINK ABOUT 3/27/2018 4:09 PM THE RATE PAYERS AND THERE SAFETY. 73 I dont see alot of opportunity, quite frankly i just want the deer gone they do so much damage. I 3/27/2018 2:30 PM think the shire should be spending money on maintainibg water in the hume instead

74 You will have the opportunity to establish regular visits from hunters and their families which will 3/22/2018 2:31 PM only increase the revenue for the Towong Shire 75 There’s no way forward in this Avenue 3/22/2018 6:07 AM

76 The flow-on effect to businesses in the shire. Hunters come primarily to hunt, but will inevitably 3/22/2018 5:33 AM spend money on non-hunting activities and services within the shire. 77 Increasing deer numbers 3/21/2018 5:07 PM

78 small busness will benefit,food and drink,fuel and supplies 3/21/2018 4:24 PM 79 There is none. Hunting and guns are very bogan and this is not a good look. 3/21/2018 2:05 PM

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