HINCHINBROOK COMMUNITYHINCHINBROOK COMMUNITY FERAL PIG MANAGEMENT FERAL PIG MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM UPDATE OCTOBER 2012PROGRAM UPDATE OCTOBER 2012A program established in 2009 to assist the community to improve the

management of feral pigs on lands under their control and to reduce the environmental, social and economic impacts feral pigs are having in the

community.

Program partners

Results of the programResults of the program291291 pigs were trapped, dogged or shot pigs were trapped, dogged or shot

between between 11stst July 2012 – February 2013 July 2012 – February 2013

A total of 309 were baited during the A total of 309 were baited during the same periodsame period

Program InformationProgram Information• The program achieved some excellent results during the first half of 12/13 The program achieved some excellent results during the first half of 12/13

financial year. These results can be directly attributed to the efforts of the financial year. These results can be directly attributed to the efforts of the Feral Pig Management Officers determination and ongoing commitment to Feral Pig Management Officers determination and ongoing commitment to work together with all landholders from across the shire.work together with all landholders from across the shire.

• The program has continued to receive reports regarding trespassing by pig The program has continued to receive reports regarding trespassing by pig hunters and other persons. As reported in May the result of such trespass hunters and other persons. As reported in May the result of such trespass equates to a loss or waste of the programs resources to the value of around equates to a loss or waste of the programs resources to the value of around $30,000 annually. In response, an information kit on how to deal with the $30,000 annually. In response, an information kit on how to deal with the issue is being developed along with a media blitz to help manage the issue.issue is being developed along with a media blitz to help manage the issue.

• The success of the program has once again meant that there has been a The success of the program has once again meant that there has been a reported reduction in damage to cane in many areas as well as to the shire’s reported reduction in damage to cane in many areas as well as to the shire’s natural assets including the Tyto Wetlands reserve. This reserve in natural assets including the Tyto Wetlands reserve. This reserve in particular has not received any significant damage in over two years. particular has not received any significant damage in over two years.

• Areas of interest where more work is required include the shire’s coastal Areas of interest where more work is required include the shire’s coastal wetlands, Stone River and the highland areas of the shire. wetlands, Stone River and the highland areas of the shire.

• The program’s Feral Pig Management Officer has also been involved in The program’s Feral Pig Management Officer has also been involved in controlling a number feral pigs causing issues with revegetation activities controlling a number feral pigs causing issues with revegetation activities taking place on the Cardwell range. taking place on the Cardwell range.

Program ReviewProgram ReviewAlthough we review and report on the program annually, it is Although we review and report on the program annually, it is

now time to conduct a more comprehensive review. now time to conduct a more comprehensive review.

What will this involve?What will this involve?The review process will involve a variety of activities that are designed to ensure The review process will involve a variety of activities that are designed to ensure that we identify all weaknesses and all areas where obvious improvements could be that we identify all weaknesses and all areas where obvious improvements could be made. For example;made. For example;

• Improvements to the way we engage the community (shed meetings, field days).Improvements to the way we engage the community (shed meetings, field days).• To be more innovative in our approach to control (if we understand why & when pigs To be more innovative in our approach to control (if we understand why & when pigs

will eat a certain variety of cane, we could direct and use our resources more will eat a certain variety of cane, we could direct and use our resources more efficiently). efficiently).

• To harness technology better (surveillance cameras and mapping tools). To harness technology better (surveillance cameras and mapping tools).

Who will be involved?Who will be involved?• HCFPMP steering committee made up of members from HSC, Terrain, HCPSL will HCFPMP steering committee made up of members from HSC, Terrain, HCPSL will

facilitate the review.facilitate the review.• All stakeholders and the community will be involved in taking part in workshops, All stakeholders and the community will be involved in taking part in workshops,

surveys and to provide feedback along the way.surveys and to provide feedback along the way.

Timeframe?Timeframe?• It is envisaged that the review will be completed in time for the May 2013 NRM It is envisaged that the review will be completed in time for the May 2013 NRM

Forum. Forum. • At this time any changes or improvements to the program will be reported at the At this time any changes or improvements to the program will be reported at the

Forum and made available to all stakeholders. Forum and made available to all stakeholders.

Mapping System UpgradesMapping System Upgrades• Over the last two years Council has Over the last two years Council has

invested significant resources into invested significant resources into improving the NRM mapping improving the NRM mapping system.system.

• The system now has the ability to The system now has the ability to

map weeds & pigs as well as map weeds & pigs as well as mosquitoes and revegetation sites on mosquitoes and revegetation sites on a more user friendly interface.a more user friendly interface.

• More importantly it has the ability More importantly it has the ability for Council to allow project partners for Council to allow project partners to access the system online and to access the system online and produce reports on controls produce reports on controls undertaken for their area of interest.undertaken for their area of interest.

• Although the system is capable of Although the system is capable of providing stakeholders with this providing stakeholders with this information, we are anticipating information, we are anticipating further minor modifications to enable further minor modifications to enable us to report design. us to report design.

How to receive assistance to manage your How to receive assistance to manage your feral pig management issuesferal pig management issues

The program’s Feral Pig Management Officer is David Bacchiella. David is The program’s Feral Pig Management Officer is David Bacchiella. David is responsible for delivery of all on ground activities including;responsible for delivery of all on ground activities including;

• Issuing of trapsIssuing of traps• Best practice trainingBest practice training• 1080 baiting sign up & requirements for safe use1080 baiting sign up & requirements for safe use• Bait supply programBait supply program• Data collectionData collection

David Bacchiella can be contacted during office hours on David Bacchiella can be contacted during office hours on 0458 764 6600458 764 660..

For further information please contact the programs co-ordinator Matt Buckman For further information please contact the programs co-ordinator Matt Buckman On 0428 878 524 during office hours.On 0428 878 524 during office hours.