11/10/2018 Impact of Feral Deer, Pigs and Goats in Australia Submission 53
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I draw to the attention of the Senate the need to control and manage pest animals on Queensland public land. I, therefore, request the Senate to establish the "Queensland Pest and Game Management Authority" for managing licensed conservation hunting of game and pest animals on Queensland public land, with the purpose of assisting with an effective integrated pest management program. The objective is to manage established pest animals using sanctioned hunting to reduce pest species by cost-effective and humane means. The role of the Queensland Pest and Game Management Authority will be to support the Queensland Government to undertake responsible and orderly volunteer licensed conservation hunting on Queensland public land. It will assist in the achievement of goals for game and feral pest animal control, natural resource management and growth of regional and rural economies through a reduction of agricultural losses and opportunities for beneficial tourism and business ventures. Lee Franklin The Queensland Pest and Game Management Authority will participate in the facilitation and regulation of licensed hunting in Queensland with an interest in game and pest animal control and conservation management. It will represent the interests of stakeholders across the State and act as a statutory body for the benefit of Queensland, environmentally, socially and economically. 11/10/2018 My name is Lee Franklin I am a Queensland resident, I am a Work Health and Safety Advisor by profession, and I am also a hunter, conservationist and environmentalist. I grew up in south east Queensland where I learnt the importance of our great countryside I was also educated by my father how to hunt and safely handle firearms from the age of seven. News Headlines “Feral cats tear through last wild bilby population in Queensland’s Astrebla Downs National Park As few as 200 native bilbies remain in the wild in Astrebla Downs National Park, after a recent plague of feral cats devastated Queensland's former stronghold for the endangered marsupial. The dwindling numbers have been confirmed by Queensland Environment and Heritage Minister Andrew Powell in an interview with Radio National's Background Briefing. Astrebla Downs previously was home to an estimated 700 bilbies. More than 3,000 feral cats have been shot by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service within the park over the last two years, costing the department $350,000. But regardless, the wild bilby population has plummeted, falling victim to feral cat attacks.” (Source: ABC News 10/10/2014) “Greg Hunt calls for eradication of feral cats that kill 75m animals a night Mr Hunt this morning responded to a landmark CSIRO-published study which found mammal extinctions were 40 per cent higher than previously thought and identified feral cats as the major cause of population decline, way ahead of climate change. The Action Plan for Australian Mammals, co-authored by three conservation experts, placed 133 mammals in the “extinct or threatened” category, yet only 115 are listed under the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The CSIRO estimates there are 15 million feral cats in Australia, with each killing an average five animals a night.” (Source: The Australian 02 June 2014) One of the most important things I and other conservation hunters are able to do for our country is to be of assistance in ridding our countryside of feral pest animals. I hope you find the information contained a useful aid in the formation process of the Queensland Pest & Game Management Authority and if any further clarification or assistance is required please do not hesitate to contact me. I welcome the opportunity to make this submission regarding the establishment of the Queensland Pest & Game Management Authority for managing the licensed hunting of game and feral pest animals on Queensland public land including State forest, vacant and unallocated crown land, timber reserves and pastoral leases under State management for the purpose of assisting state and local governments to form a fully integrated pest management programme. As you can see there is strong belief and evidence that the forming of the Queensland Pest & Game Management Authority is not only a good thing for our countryside, our rural communities, the tax payer and the Queensland government. I am available to come to you and give a full explanation of the benefits that licensed public land hunting brings to Queensland. Page 1 of 20 Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... 4 Cultural benefits to the community ......................................................................................................... 5 Recreational benefits to the community ................................................................................................ 5 Establishment of the “Queensland Pest & Game Management Authority” .................................. 5 The Board ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 The Board's role ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Board Membership ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Board Functions ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Member Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 7 Applicants for Chairperson of the Board ..................................................................................................... 7 Context:. .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Aims & Objects ............................................................................................................................................... 7 The System ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Qualifications, Rights and Responsibilities ................................................................................................. 8 Licensing ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Permission to hunt ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Junior hunting ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Game animal regulations ............................................................................................................................ 10 Deer hunting regulations ............................................................................................................................. 10 Deer seasons ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Game bird regulations ................................................................................................................................. 10 Hunting with dogs ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Using dogs to hunt pigs on public land ..................................................................................................... 11 Code of Practice ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Handling and dispatch of pest and game animals ................................................................................... 12 Wounded Animals ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Obligation to avoid suffering ....................................................................................................................... 12 Lactating female with dependant young. .................................................................................................. 13 Awareness of relevant legislation. ............................................................................................................. 13 Game Council NSW Study June 2013 ................................................................................................... 14 Table E.1: Summary of All Benefits ........................................................................................................... 14 Table E.3: Assessment of the Net Public Benefit of the Game Council ............................................... 15 Regional Economic Impact of Hunting Expenditure ................................................................................ 15 Page 2 of 20 Table E.4: Regional NSW Economic Impact Due to Game Council Licensed Hunter Expenditure .