The recently released East Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023–2028 is encouraging agencies and the community to develop local cost-effective options collaboratively and contribute to monitoring to improve knowledge and success of the program over time.

It is one of three plans for rural Victoria that support the implementation of the state government’s deer control program in partnership with the community, representative groups and organisations, traditional owners, industry and local and federal governments.

The objective of the East Victoria plan is to reduce the impact of deer across the area by establishing a consistent framework to guide investment and collaborative on-ground actions for the greatest biodiversity benefit while reducing impacts across multiple values and land tenures.

Impacts to a wide range of environmental, economic and social values have been attributed to wild deer in Victoria including biodiversity, water quality, public safety, agricultural assets and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Population modelling indicates that if action Deer plan calls for all hands on deck is not taken, deer populations in the east will continue to grow with impacts intensified and act as a continuous source of spread to other parts of Victoria.

Deer are widespread and well established throughout the east, particularly Sambar and Fallow Deer, with small populations of Hog deer in coastal areas and Red deer in fragmented populations.

Opportunities for control include identifying priority areas for asset protection, containment of populations and areas where local elimination may be achieved.

The plan indicates that there is a higher proportion of core deer habitat in east Victoria, with larger areas of contiguous habitat when compared to more fragmented landscapes in the west, with a higher proportion of natural areas including state forests, parks and reserves.

It is forecast that there will be 150,000 hectares of deer control in priority locations across Victoria per annum.

The plan was prepared in consultation with the East Regional Deer Control Partnership Group made up of stakeholders involved in managing or monitoring deer impacts with input from the Victorian Deer Advisory Committee.

It is supported by a Victorian government commitment of $19.25m over four years and $4.4m ongoing.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 27 July 2023.