The rapidly increasing presence of wild deer within Melbourne’s peri-urban fringes is impacting biodiversity, primary production and public safety. Ecologically significant areas, such as the cool temperate rainforest within the Dandenong Ranges’ Emerald Creek precinct, are being impacted by these large, voracious ungulates as they trample, forage and rub our valuable environmental and commercial assets.
Pursuant to the Victorian Government’s Deer Control Strategy and the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan 2021-26, Ultor Pty Ltd (www.ultor.com.au), in collaboration with Monbulk Landcare, and 24 private property owners, is conducting ground shooting to locate and eradicate deer in the vicinity of Emerald Creek during the period August 2023 to June 2024.
The project aims to eradicate deer safely and humanely from the precinct to:
Protect high value biodiversity;
Protect water quality (Emerald Creek is part of the Yellingbo (Liwik Barring) Landscape Conservation Area which includes several ecological significant waterways and is adjacent to the Silvan Reservoir);
Protect commercial agricultural assets.
Increase public safety by reducing the risk of deer related accidents on roadways; and
Increase community knowledge, collaboration, and partnerships.
The project is being funded by the Victorian government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Peri-urban Community Deer Grant Program.
The project is based on an innovative engagement model that relies on collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The Emerald Creek precinct is characterised by a combination of medium sized residential allotments that include steep, heavily vegetated terrain, small commercial agricultural allotments and a public corridor along Emerald Creek. These characteristics present unique challenges when locating and targeting deer with high-caliber firearms. These challenges create risks that have been collaboratively assessed and will be eliminated or controlled by the adoption of new and traditional risk control measures. These risk control measures include the following:
Use of a Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) equipped with a thermal sighting device to locate deer and any members of the public that may be in the area.
Ground shooting at night to mitigate the risk of members of the public being within the area of operations.
Use of ground-based thermal sighting devices to locate and target deer.
Use of suppressed firearms to reduce firearms related noise.
Widespread community and stakeholder consultation and communication.
Further enquiries may be directed to Ultor Pty Ltd’s Director, David Chauval. David’s email is david@ultor.com.au. David’s mobile phone number is 0481 308 338.
