Wollongong City Council has written to the NSW Government highlighting our concerns about the ongoing impacts of feral deer across the Wollongong Local Government Area.
Autumn is the time of year when residents are more likely to see deer in urban and peri-urban areas.
Council has been part of the Illawarra Feral Deer Management Program for 13 years, and works collaboratively with South East Local Land Services (SELLS), National Parks, RSPCA, NSW Police, and both government and private landholders to cull feral deer.
Under the Biosecurity Act (2015) feral deer are classified as a pest animal, and Council is focused on working to reduce the number and impact of deer in the Wollongong Local Government Area.
"Whether it be on people's private property where they eat people's plants, traipsing through sensitive bushland areas or in a collision with a car or truck, there is no question that deer can be destructive,'' Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"Government firearms and biosecurity legislation prevents Council from conducting deer culling activities directly and that's why it's essential we work closely with organisations like the South East Local Land Service to deliver deer culling activities on Council-managed land. Without ongoing culling, the population of feral deer will continue to grow along with their impact.''
A key part of the letter to the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, we are seeking the Minister's assurance that the activities by South East Local Land Services to coordinate and deliver feral deer culling activities would continue.
"Council is seeking the Minister's assurance that this program through South East Local Land Services will continue to function in our community,'' Cr Brown said.
"We know this issue is of utmost importance to our community and that they want action to be taken to control the numbers of these pest animals.
"We have recently entered into a new agreement with SELLS for the management of deer which will wrap up at the end of this financial year, and we're keen to see the commitment from the NSW State Government continue beyond June 30.''
To support the management of feral deer, community members can report sightings through Feralscan , with information about sightings shared on the website used to plan future control programs.
Injured deer should be reported to NSW Police or the RSPCA. Council's website also has information and advice for those who may get deer in their gardens or on their property.
