Local Land Services has identified as a priority, improving the capacity and capability of land managers to manage wild dog issues, building effective partnerships and engaging the community. Local Land Services may resource specific regional programs for wild dogs on behalf of landholders should it be deemed cost effective as well as strategically beneficial. The Local Land Services acknowledges that programs that have a cross tenure focus and use of local wild dog plans are considered to be the building blocks for effective wild dog programs.
Four principles have been agreed to as underpinning the Local Land Services wild dog programs:
The Local Land Services is committed to meeting the expectations of the community with respect to wild dog management through participation in a shared responsibility model for wild dog management. The policy is intended to articulate how Local Land Services aims to achieve these expectations.
This policy acknowledges that Local Land Services has responsibilities to oversee functions that support the provision of control options for landholders. Consistency and high levels of compliance in the application of these functions has been identified as important. The policy provides assurance to external stakeholders that wild dog programs are operating within current best practice frameworks and the Local Land Services roles and responsibilities in wild dog management are articulated.
The objectives of this policy are:
In October 2014 the Local Land Services Board of Chairs adopted the NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy (WDMS) which is a multi-stakeholder strategy for NSW overseen by the Pest Animal Council. The Board of Chairs through the Wild Dogs Cross Regional Team (WDCRT) also established a Local Land Services Wild Dog Policy. This policy was largely based on the main components of the WDMS. An outcome of this policy was the commencement of a process requiring regions to demonstrate progress toward the targets within that strategy.
In September 2015 at the request of the Board of Chairs, WDCRT was asked to review the Local Land Services Wild Dog Policy. The policy was expanded to take account of the broader role that Local Land Services plays in wild dog management. The wild dog CRT was identified as needing to be finalised as preparations commenced to establish an Invasive Species Cross Regional Team.
NSW DPI: NSW Department of Primary Industries
IACRC: Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
WDCRT: Wild Dog Cross Regional Team
National Wild Dog Action Plan: collaborative agreement between key livestock industries and Government to achieve agreed national wild dog management targets.
NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy: Collaborative agreement for NSW government and key wild dog stakeholders to meet wild dog management targets in NSW.
Wild Dog Management operates in NSW in the context of shared responsibility. Local Land Services is committed to better defining and improving the cost sharing models for wild dog programs in NSW to demonstrate an improved return on investment of Local Land Services funds.
Local Land Services is committed to improving the capacity and capability of land managers to respond to the risks and effects of wild dog predation. Programs that target capacity building through coordination and facilitation are a primary focus.
Local Land Services has responsibility for ensuring that land managers in NSW meet their obligations of wild dog control. Local Land Services also provide access to approved control options and are compliant with the regulations that enable provision of these to the public.
Local Land Services is committed to being accountable and transparent to the community and stakeholders about the progress being made in meeting agreed targets within the Invasive species business plan and wild dog management strategy. Progress is being made toward the development of a new framework that supports the Local Land Services in meeting this principle.
Local Land Services recognises that the organisation is comprised of 11 local boards however the management of broad scale critical programs such as wild dogs requires an organisation wide commitment. Both local boards and the Board of chairs have responsibility for different aspects of this policy.
Local Boards and General Managers will be responsible for implementing the policy in their regions.
The Invasive Species CRT will provide oversight for the policy and conduct an annual review. Any changes are required to be adopted by the Board of Chairs
Local Boards will be asked to report on their respective activities that contribute toward the policy on an annual basis. The Board of Chairs will also provide an annual update of progress toward state level responsibilities.
Local Land Services Act 2013
Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002
Non Indigenous Animals Act 1987
Local Land Services (Wild Dogs) Pest Control Order 2015
NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy 2017-2021
National Wild Dog Action Plan
NSW Biosecurity strategy 2013-2021
NSW Invasive Species Plan 2015 - 2020
This policy replaces: Local Land Services Wild Dog Policy 2015
Adopted Board of Chairs, December 2015