In Victoria, native wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, which provides the legislative framework to protect, conserve and manage wildlife.
Many Victorians value living in areas rich in wildlife, whether it be suburban backyards, rural landscapes, wetlands, coastal areas or native forest. At times, however, wildlife can cause damage to property, endanger human health and safety or impact biodiversity.
The Living with Wildlife Action Plan aims to strike a balance between the action needed to protect and conserve wildlife and the action needed to manage the impacts from wildlife.
The aim of the Living with Wildlife Action Plan is to ensure that:
1. Victoria's native wildlife populations are healthy and secure.
2. The management of wildlife is sustainable and underpinned by available scientific evidence and best practice.
3. All Victorians understand their roles and responsibilities relating to wildlife and are actively engaged in wildlife protection and conservation.
4. The Victorian community is confident in the government's actions to protect, conserve and manage wildlife.
The Plan includes 7 short term and 2 medium term actions across 4 themes:
The short term action under this theme includes:
1.1. A range of communication methods will be used to encourage positive attitudes towards 'living with wildlife', and raise awareness of wildlife-human interaction issues that are common in Victoria
Short term actions under this theme are:
2.1. A review of the Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system will be conducted to gather evidence and stakeholder input into the limitations and strengths of the system. The review will examine the rigour and transparency of the ATCW processes, procedures, conditions, monitoring and compliance and will inform improvements to the system.
2.2 Comprehensive ATCW assessment and decision-making guidelines will be updated for DELWP staff. These will incorporate wildlife and agricultural expertise and advances in scientific knowledge about sustainable wildlife management.
2.3. Review and monitor the effectiveness of the kangaroo management planning process to reduce impacts on kangaroos in Melbourne's growth areas.
Medium term actions under this theme are:
2.4. A Victorian Kangaroo Management Strategy will be developed to inform the sustainable management of Victoria's kangaroo populations and to guide future actions and decisions.
2.5. The Victorian Koala Management Strategy will be reviewed and updated to ensure Victoria's koala populations are secure and healthy, and to guide their management. The updated strategy will incorporate advancements in knowledge and consideration of long-term koala management across the landscape.
Short term actions under this theme are:
3.1. A state-wide kangaroo survey has been carried out based on expert advice to better understand the current distribution of kangaroos in Victoria. The survey will be repeated in 2018. The knowledge gained from the surveys will be used to ensure that authorised kangaroo control will not impact on the sustainability of Victoria's kangaroo populations.
3.2. DELWP will work with research institutions and wildlife experts to examine new methods of assessing damage caused by overabundant wildlife and options for humane control methods, including non-lethal methods.
The short term action under this theme includes:
4.1. DELWP will create a new online injured wildlife tool to ensure that the community can access the information they need and know who to contact for help regarding sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.
Page last updated: 27/04/18