Shepparton Mooroopna Urban Landcare Group Submission to Federal House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy inquiry into feral and domestic cats in Australia

Key discussion points

a. the prevalence of feral and domestic cats in Australia;

b. the impact of feral and domestic cats including on native wildlife and habitats;

c. the effectiveness of current legislative and regulatory approaches;

d. the effectiveness of Commonwealth action and cooperation with states and territories on this issue, including progress made under the Threat Abatement Plan, national framework and national declaration relating to feral and domestic cats in Australia;

e. the efficacy (in terms of reducing the impact of cats), cost effectiveness and use of current and emerging methods and tools for controlling feral cats, including baiting, the establishment of feral cat-free areas using conservation fencing, gene drive technology;

f. the efficacy of import controls for high risk domestic cat varieties to prevent the impacts of feral and domestic cats, including on native wildlife and habitats;

g. public awareness and education in relation to the feral and domestic cat problem; and

h. the interaction between domestic cat ownership and the feral cat problem, and best practice approaches to the keeping of domestic cats in this regard.

Dear Committee members,

I write on behalf of the Shepparton Mooroopna Urban Landcare Group in response to the inquiry into feral and domestic cats in Australia and thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on this inquiry.

The Shepparton Mooroopna Urban Landcare Group has been involved with caring for our local environment for many years and have formed partnerships with many agencies on projects, events and general Landcare activities and concerns with Parks Victoria, Greater Shepparton City Council, RiverConnect and Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton.

Key discussion points addressed.

a. The prevalence of feral and domestic cats in Australia; It is already scientifically proven that there is a high incidence of feral cats in Australia with an incredible detrimental effect on wildlife. The Goulburn Valley region in Victoria has little natural habitat left leaving wildlife particularly vulnerable to many threats including feral cats and wandering domestic cats. From surveys done in areas where squirrel gliders are found over several years there has been declining populations of gliders and birdlife. In the same areas, cats have also been detected through spotlighting and cat trapping. Community members who live along local waterways Reedy Swamp, part of the Lower Goulburn National Park, the Goulburn River and Sevens Creek all have had numerous sightings and trapping. Feral cats have been seen increasingly during the day as well as night at Gemmill’s Swamp Nature Conservation Reserve as reported by Don Roberts, Conservation Officer of this reserve. Reedy Swamp is a popular dumping spot of unwanted cats and an ideal location for breeding as Reedy Swamp is a wildlife drought refuge (receives environmental water) and a very vulnerable area for wildlife.

b. The impact of feral and domestic cats including on native wildlife and habitats;

The impact of cats on our local environment has been devastating. They are contributing to the decline of birdlife and other animal species including threatened squirrel gliders in our area. This is mainly shown from reduced sightings and wildlife carer reports of injured animals (from cats) brought in by community and cat owners.

The lack of action by local landowners and agencies such as Council and Parks Vic has meant with no control there has been an increase in numbers and an increase in spread of cats throughout our bushland areas.

c. The effectiveness of current legislative and regulatory approaches; In our area there has been no effective approach. People in general disregard legislation and there has been no resources allocated for enforcement. A suggestion is that anyone living near bushland, National Parks or waterways should have no cats such as in Sherbrooke Shire or be able to prove containment.

Wide range trapping should be occurring and if domestic cats are caught, large fines should be incurred and a further fee to have their cats returned. More resources is required to address the proven threat to our wildlife Australia wide. The threat of cats, climate change and destruction of habitat by logging and clearing is having a devastating affect on our environment and wildlife with many species facing extinction. We as a nation need to step up and address these issues. It is feared that it is too late for many habitats, flora, and fauna species. It is a time for quick action and many resources to address these issues. g. public awareness and education in relation to the feral and domestic cat problem;

The Landcare group when giving talks at public events would give information about our beautiful birds, gliders and other wildlife and refer to their threats, specifically mentioning cats and how people can help. This however is not enough. More community needs to be reached through council and Parks Vic information and a nationwide education campaign. The zoos are doing a wonderful job in campaigning and reaching some of the community, but it is not reaching far enough.

Our Landcare group hopes that this inquiry results in swift action and abundant resources in addressing this serious impact, one of many, on our precious Australian wildlife species.