Author
The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Summary
The Peri-urban Deer Control Plan 2021–26 (the Plan) is Victoria’s plan to reduce the impact of deer across the peri-urban region east and north of Melbourne. The aim of the Plan is to have a consistent framework to guide investment and collaborative on-ground action for the greatest net benefit across multiple values and land tenure.
It is the first of three region-specific plans developed to address the state’s deer control response under the Victorian Deer Control Strategy (VDCS).
Wild deer cause a wide range of environmental, economic, and social impacts in Victoria. The most significant impacts identified in the peri-urban area are to the values of biodiversity, water quality, public safety, agricultural assets and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Modelling indicates that if we do not act, deer will spread across Victoria. We are already seeing evidence of this in the peri-urban plan area.
The Plan was prepared in consultation with a regional partnership group made up of local partners and stakeholders involved and interested in managing deer impacts including land managers, local government, conservation, industry, community groups and Traditional Owners.
The Plan will help partnership group members and the community develop local approaches to deer control. Individual landholders can also use the Plan to
