THREE submissions contributing to the parliamentary inquiry into wildlife road strike in Victoria were made by farmers and business owners from Phillip Island who are being negatively impacted by the overpopulation of native animals.
Phillip Island farmers Greg and Amanda Price, Peter List and Phillipa White and business owners Scott and Abbie Patton stated that they witness animals being killed daily, on the island, including swamp wallabies, brushtail possums, purple hens, bandicoots and cape barren geese.
“Since the successful eradication of foxes on Phillip Island, we have observed a significant and sustained population boom in these species. Without natural apex predator to maintain ecological balance, the animals are now at unsustainable levels,” the submissions stated.
They cite that the population growth of certain native species has gone unaddressed for 15 years leading to overpopulation, which has led to further problems.
This includes agricultural damage, such as widespread dieback in native gums and the impossibility of establishing crops, pastures and regenerative planting due to each being decimated by animals; competition for food and water due to resource depletion, leading to roadside foraging and increased risks for motorists.
“Without a clear science-based wildlife management plan tailored to regions like Phillip Island – where predator dynamics have been artificially altered – we will continue to see rising numbers of wildlife road strikes and associated public safety risks,” they stated.
Peter List and Phillipa White detailed how, when trying to establish crops in Autumn and Spring, 300 to 400 Cape Barren geese damage these crops and swamp wallabies cause damage to both crops and fences.
“This causes major financial losses, where farming on Phillip Island has to be questioned,” they wrote.
While Scott and Abbie Patton run a wedding venue business set on 20 acres, which they established 13 years ago.
“We have seen a significant increase in the number and types of animals on the property,” they stated.
“Of more than 6000 trees we have planted in that time we have seen less than a 25 per cent survival rate, largely due to the animal population eating them or plucking them out of the ground shortly after planting.
“The cost of replacing dead plants and trees, not to mention the time it takes for a garden to re-mature is becoming problematic.”
“We have invested well over $100,000 in the replanting of our land…”
The farmers and business owners are urging the committee running the inquiry to consider the need for region-specific wildlife population control strategies, particularly in the instance of predator-free ecosystems like Phillip Island, with a focus on long-term ecological and safety outcomes for both wildlife and the community.
“…Phillip Island has a nature reserve, operated by Phillip Island Nature Park. Phillip Island itself is not a nature reserve. Just as we cap building areas to ensure the sustainability of our infrastructure, the animal population should be maintained at a level that is sustainable for our natural environment, allowing it to thrive. Otherwise, the natural beauty so many enjoy will be gone and in its place will be barren land and an awful lot of starving animals,” stated Scott and Abbie Patton.
The parliamentary inquiry continues, and the committee is inviting people to fill out their survey to gain further evidence, with the information gathered informing the final report.
The survey is open until Monday, June 30, at parliament.vic.gov.au/wildliferoadstrikesurvey.
