Livestock predation management in north west Victoria
In Victoria, dingoes are protected as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Wildlife Act 1975.
There are two main populations of dingoes in Victoria: a population in the east, and a smaller disconnected population in the north west (the Mallee) near the Big Desert.
To protect this vulnerable population of dingoes from local extinction, lethal control of these animals is not permitted in this region.
Farmers in the north west can apply for an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW), which permits the use of lethal control in circumstances where no other non-lethal control options are available. In light of current scientific evidence that highlights the risk of extinction to the north west dingo population, the Conservation Regulator will only consider issuing ATCWs for lethal control in extraordinary circumstances, such as where there are human safety concerns, or where there are extreme and escalating livestock impacts and all non-lethal control measures have been exhausted.
The Conservation Regulator will determine if circumstances are extraordinary based on the unique characteristics of an application for lethal control, balanced against the state of the north west dingo population.
Applications must include evidence of the damage caused by dingo and how all practical available non-lethal control options have been assessed and/or applied.
Further information on:
- Dingo protection in north west Victoria
- Dingoes and the current Order in Council
- Non-lethal control options
