Lowan MP calls Grampians dingo plan "preposterous"

Regional Director for Parks Victoria, Jason Borg, said the plan is still in its draft stage and specific details of the plan are still open for feedback.

"We're keen to hear from the public about ideas and proposals within this draft plan for protecting, conserving and celebrating this special natural and cultural landscape," he said.

"The draft plan proposes researching the potential reintroduction of native and culturally significant species, including those that could naturally control foxes, rabbits, feral cats, and overabundant kangaroos."

"As listed in the draft plan, research partnerships with farmers would be formed before investigating or trialing and reintroduction."

The Greater Gariwerd draft management plan is now publicly available and open for feedback.

A copy of the draft can be found in full on engage.vic.gov.au, where the public can fill out feedback surveys on the draft plan.

The feedback period of the plan is due to close on January 24 2021, with the plan finalising late that year.

Earlier: Nationals member for Lowan Emma Kealy has spoken in parliament to call on the Minister for Environment to rule out plans to reintroduce dingoes to the Grampians National Park.

Parks Victoria explored the idea of reintroducing dingoes to the area as a form of pest control for foxes and feral cats in a draft management plan for the Grampians region.

Ms Kealy said the decision would have an adverse effect on local landholders and tourism operators.

"The Grampians is surrounded by prime grazing land and the devastation caused to stock by wild dogs is well known to the Andrews Labor Government," she said.

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Ms Kealy said this year's $4.4 million allocated to wild dog control projects and $14 million to further pest control would be for nothing if dingoes were reintroduced to the area.

"It is beyond absurd that Labor would spend millions to manage harm caused by wild dogs in other areas of the state while at the same time having plans to introduce wild dogs to an area where so much damage would be caused to livestock, threatened species of smaller native animals, and the biodiversity of the Grampians, not to mention the harm that could be caused to young families and children that visit the park."

The Greater Gariwerd draft management plan was produced by Parks Victoria in partnership with local traditional owners groups.

The plan states that: "Dingoes have an important ecological role and may have the potential to support the management of overabundant macropods (kangaroos and wallabies) and to suppress cats and foxes."

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