AS the State Government has yet to completely rule out a policy to reintroduce dingoes (Wilkurr) into Gariwerd (Grampians) and other national parks, a public meeting will be held in Dunkeld in April, where all stakeholders can voice their concerns.
Parks Victoria undertook community consultation early in 2021 noting concerns by local communities and the farming sector regarding the dingo proposal, with fears for the safety of livestock and native fauna on properties adjacent to public land.
The proposal to reintroduce dingoes was included in an initial draft of the Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan, developed in partnership with Traditional Owners.
The proposal raised a red flag to landholders and farmers including local wool growers John and Rhonda Crawford of Victoria Valley who began a ‘No Dingo’ petition collecting 4300 signatures, both online and paper.
Parks Victoria subsequently removed the proposal from the draft plan and replaced it with a goal to raise awareness about their cultural significance.
Lowan MP, Emma Kealy stated that despite the government’s assertions that dingoes would not be reintroduced, a text box on page 62 of the management plan, stated that, “should there be broader community support in the future, investigations into reintroducing Wilkurr may be reconsidered”.
“This proves that the government was leaving the door open, despite landholders and agriculture stakeholders asking for the policy to be torn up,” Ms Kealy said.
It was also revealed in December 2021 that another Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline had been tabled, recommending the reintroduction of dingoes into any park in Victoria.
Moreover, the inquiry recommended no use of lethal control of pests (no shooting, 1080 baits, trapping) and to make dingoes protected and to cease the fox/wild dog bounty.
The government is required to respond within six months of the report being tabled.
Western Victoria MP, Bev McArthur, has vehemently opposed the proposal, describing it as a “stupid idea” which was completely “ridiculous” and lacked common sense.
Mr and Mrs Crawford have made available a second petition from January 16, 2022, that states dingoes would cause devastation to the state's million-dollar livestock and wool industry and would be a threat to tourists (families and children) that visit parks and threaten existing smaller native animals.
The petition can be signed at bit.ly/35QPiIh and a number of paper petitions are also in circulation locally.
The meeting is at the Sterling Place Dunkeld Community Centre on Monday, April 11, at 7pm. Councillors, state MPs, journalists and other agricultural industry stakeholders have been invited, and some have already committed to attend.
