Bilpin residents have been urged to sign up to a baiting program for wild dogs and foxes following a spate of stock losses in the area.
Greater Sydney Local Land Services recently released its regional strategic pest animal plan that has named wild dogs and foxes among the target species for the Hawkesbury region.
Greater Sydney Biosecurity Manager Graham Wilson said the Hawkesbury region was already home to a high number of coordinated pest animal control programs run in partnership with local landholders.
“We regularly run control programs in the Hawkesbury including the Upper Hawkesbury wild dog and fox baiting program, which involves about 30 landholders. We are also currently calling for people to sign up to a Bilpin baiting program following a series of complaints and livestock losses in the area,” he said.
“These animals have a significant impact on primary production as well as the local environment, wildlife, infrastructure and domestic pets.”
The Greater Sydney Regional Strategic Pest Animal Plan was developed in consultation with local landholders, community and industry groups, and sets out pest animal management actions that reflect local priorities in each community.
The plan puts down guidelines on the best areas to direct resources and investment for government, industry and the community, Mr Wilson said.
“We were very pleased with the high volume of input from various community groups and individuals as part of the six-week consultation process and are confident this new, coordinated and strategic approach will further enhance our pest control efforts,” he said.
The addition of regional pest animal committees would also add significant value, he said.
“These committees ensure locals are involved in setting local priorities for their respective areas,” Mr Wilson said.
The economic impact of wild rabbits, carp, feral pigs, red foxes, wild dogs, feral goats and introduced birds has been estimated at $170 million in NSW, Greater Sydney Local Land Services stated.