The state government is introducing a region-specific control plan to combat Whittlesea’s feral deer issue.
The Peri-urban Deer Control Plan sets out to reduce the threat feral deer pose to the environment, farming, public safety and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio launched the plan, setting out a long-term approach to control feral deer numbers in the outskirts of Melbourne’s north.
Ms D’Ambrosio said: “We’re taking action to safely control Victoria’s feral deer population and reduce the significant negative impacts they have on our wildlife and biodiversity.
“We’ve worked with local communities and experts to develop a strong plan which not only protects our environment from the impacts of feral deer, but also increases public safety.”
National parks, reserves and waterways will be targeted for deer control within a number of council areas including Whittlesea.
Feral deer poses a significant threat to public safety, causing a rise in the number of traffic accidents as well as native plants and wildlife habitat.
The Government has invested $18 million to reduce the impacts of deer, a key part of the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan.
