DISAPPOINTING DINGO DECISION: KILLING TO CONTINUE IN EASTERN VICTORIA UNTIL 2028

Media Release

The Australian Dingo Foundation

25 September 2024

DISAPPOINTING DINGO DECISION: KILLING TO CONTINUE IN EASTERN VICTORIA UNTIL 2028

The Australian Dingo Foundation expresses profound disappointment and concern over the Victorian government’s decision to extend the lethal control of native dingoes until 2028. This decision disregards the ecological significance of dingoes as Victoria’s largest native apex predator and overlooks their cultural importance to Indigenous communities, despite the availability of effective non-lethal control methods.

In Victoria, Dingoes are protected threatened wildlife under the Wildlife Act 1975 and listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Threatened List. The new ‘unprotection order’ is an exception to this protection, and was extended from today until 1 January 2028. This allows the lethal control of dingoes on private land and within a 3km buffer zone along the boundaries of public land in eastern Victoria.

“It’s hard to come to terms with a threatened, native species being allowed to be shot, poisoned and trapped, especially on public land and most concerningly deep within National Parks where they are causing no harm to livestock” said Mel Browning, Director at The Australian Dingo Foundation. “The government must not wait until 2028 to make a better decision.”

Firstly, the Australian Dingo Foundation strongly encourages the Victorian Government to immediately engage genuinely, and in true partnership, with Traditional Owner groups, recognising them in their role as decision-makers for culturally significant species. Secondly, the Victorian Government needs to escalate funding and support for non-lethal control methods in Eastern Victorian as a first line of defense for farmers and for lethal means and kill dingoes being a last resort:

Guardian animals like dogs and donkeys have proven to be effective at protecting livestock.
Visual and auditory devices can play a role in keeping predators away from stocked paddocks.
Biological deterrents, such as dingo urine have been successfully demonstrated. Investment is needed to develop and trial synthetic pheromones that mimic these positive effects.
Predator-proof fencing, such as retrofitting solar electric to existing fences.

“Let’s not wait until 2028 to stop killing dingoes. We need to listen to Traditional Owners and try non-lethal methods that not only make agriculture sustainable but help a threatened native animal keep doing its job for the benefit of nature and people” said Mel Browning. Victorians who are also disappointed and concerned with the Victorian Government’s decision this week should reach out to their local MPs office to express disappointment.