With deer numbers currently at a record high, there is a growing threat to people’s lives, according to Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley.

“Twice in recent weeks, cars have been written off after hitting deer on the roads around Wodonga,” he said.

“Those travelling the roads in the Upper Murray know only too well the damage and danger they pose.”

Mr Tilley raised the matter in the Victorian Parliament last week ahead of the $18 million, four year deer control funding program lapsing this Sunday, telling the Legislative Assembly that “the elephant in the room has antlers.”

“This is now a deer plague that threatens people’s lives,” he said.

“I’m told the continued funding may come from another bucket of money but my fear is this government and its upper house transactional charlatan, aka the Animal Justice Party, will conspire to save Bambi.

“This funding needs to be transparent.

“It must be maintained, and deer need to be controlled.”

Deer numbers are widely reported at about 500,000 across Victoria.

Mr Tilley said the past program relied heavily on partnerships but that its future is unknown.

“On one hand we have the East Victorian Deer Control Plan that runs to 2028 and relies on professional and recreational shooters and on the other, we have found that the money for the deer control program lapses on June 30,” he said.

“We have people in our community, experts in the field, who can carry out major control work in confined spaces, public places using drones and thermal imaging.

“On the urban fringe of Melbourne, the councils take an active role, perhaps it’s time our councils got involved,” Mr Tilley concluded.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 27 June 2024.