PRIORITY ACTIVITIES – 2014/15 PROJECT PLAN Riverina Highlands Wild Dog Monitoring Project 1. Activity Responsibility Responsibility Name Position Reporting Line Manager Ray Willis Riv LLS Peter Flemming MBES DPI VP Research Unit Rob Kelly Michael Leane Guy Ballard Jess Sparkes Toby O’Brien Ian Eggleton Mark Goldspink Rod Baker Matt White TLISPH, Riverina LLS DPI UNE SBO, Riverina LLS Vertebrate Pest Contractor NSW Forestry Corp NSW Forestry Corp NPWS Ray Willis Peter Flemming Manager (Sponsor) Key Contact (Project Manager) Other key personnel 2. Project Description: This is a collaborative project and part of a much larger project across NSW monitoring wild dog movements. Collaboration is between NSW DPI Vertebrate Pest Unit, University of New England, Murray LLS, Riverina LLS, South East LLS, NPWS and Forestry Corp researching the wild dog movements in the upper Murray and Riverina highlands regions. To date work has been restricted to the northern NSW and this work will extend that knowledge and skill from Qld to Victoria by DPI Invasive Species Unit. It has both biosecurity and biodiversity benefits and will increase community awareness and understanding of the wild dog activity. This project will be a major collaborative effort between Government, Researchers and the community. Through the use of GPS collaring of wild dogs and the use of remote sensor cameras the project aims to provide a better understanding of the size and distribution of the wild dog problem across a landscape scale. A sample of Wild dogs will be fitted with GPS collars providing real time data feed via a subscription to satellite tracking that can identify movement and home ranges, daytime resting places, den sites and high risk incursion pathways of wild dogs over a 12 month period. It has the potential to provide estimates of population sizes and therefore provide baseline data to which wild dog removal can be compared against. Understanding the characteristics of the wild dog behaviour and of these sites can assist the development of targeted control practices. Knowledge of movements facilitates appropriate scaling of control relevant to the target animal or impact. The use of remote trail cameras can identify the abundance of pest and native animals but also the interaction between the species. Understanding animal activity across all species can assist in developing wild dog control strategies that minimise the interference from other species such as foxes as well as reducing the risk to non target natives. This will lead to more efficient use of resources. Wild dogs are listed as a Key Threatening Process (KTP) to biodiversity therefore this holistic study will allow for greater biodiversity outcomes with wild dog control strategies in place. This innovative and collaborative approach will demonstrate Riverina LLS’s dynamic and targeted approach together with greater community awareness of the key pest management issues in the Riverina. Project Plan - Template Page 1 of 4 Commercial In Confidence Uncontrolled When Printed R Willis-Created on 20/05/2015 2:04:47 PM 3. Key Priority Activities Table Tasks Responsibility Resources (time/staff) Contract Preparation Michael Leane Purchase Materials Guy Ballard / Michael Leane Michael Leane Ray Willis / Michael Leane 5 Days Michael Leane 2 Days Michael Leane / LLS Comms unit 15 Days 2 days Promotion / Information / Field Days Media Field Work Ray Willis / Michael Leane Michael Leane / Jess Sparkes Monitor Guy Ballard Collation of Data Guy Ballard / Toby O’Brien Guy Ballard / Peter Flemming / Toby O’Brien / Michael Leane Final Reporting Michael Leane, Toby O’Brien, Richard Lloyd, David Kellit, Amy Shergold 100 Days Michael Leane, Toby O’Brien 20 Days Toby O‘Brien 15 Days Toby O’Brien, Michael Leane 5 Days Expected Date of Completion 30/7/2014 30/8/2014 Ongoing from 1/8/2014 to 30/10/2015 Ongoing from 1/8/2014 to 30/10/2015 Ongoing from 30/9/2014 to 30/6/2015 Ongoing from 30/9/2014 to 30/6/2015 Ongoing from 30/9/2014 to 30/6/2015 30/9/2015 4. Expenditure and Reporting Item Amount/Code/Duration Comment Total Budget $60 000 Source Govt Funding WBS Code Project Reporting Monthly reports from DPI and final report 30/9/2015 5. Key Focus Area of Plan This Project will contribute to : All Riverina LLS functional areas will be integrated into this project. Biosecurity There will be six Biosecurity staff (3BO/SBO, TL, MBES, DV) involved in all aspects of the project. The Biosecurity team will manage this project in accordance with the Cooperative Wild Dog Management Plans(Gilmore, Goobaragandra and Brindabella), Biosecurity Operational Plan, NSW Invasive Species Plan and the NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy. See section 6 for KPIs. Land Services There will be five Land services staff involved in the project. Cherie White – Community engagement through Riverina Highlands Landcare network David Kellit – Field work Peter Fitzpatrick – Field work Leanna Moerkerken – incorporating Biodiversity outcomes through KTP guidelines. Strategic Land Services This unit will play a key role in the success of this project through the partnership building, stakeholder engagement and reporting aspects. We will build and strengthen partnerships with DPI, University of New Project Plan - Template Page 2 of 4 Commercial In Confidence Uncontrolled When Printed R Willis-Created on 20/05/2015 2:04:47 PM England, NPWS, Forestry Corporation, Murray LLS and South East LLS as each will have a strategic role to play. All stakeholders will be engaged via meetings, field days, education programs, participation and receiving regular updates on the project. Staff involved: Mark Wilson – mapping and data management Tracey Bell – media releases and development of educational programs Sue Buik - MERI 6. Key Performance Indicators Strategies KPI’s met Biosecurity Operational Plan Goal 2 - Eradicate or contain Objectives 2.1 & 2.2 Goal 3 - Effectively Manage Objectives 3.1 & 3.2 Goal 4 – Capacity Objectives 4.3,4.4,4.5,4.6,4.7 & 4.11 NSW Invasive Species Plan 2008-2015 Goal 2- Eradicate or Contain Objectives 2.1 & 2.2 Goal 3- Effectively Manage Objectives 3.1,3.2 Goal 4 – Capacity Objectives 4.2,4.3,4.6,4.7 &4.11 NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy 2012-2015 Objectives 2, 3, 4,5 &6 7. Objectives Goals Targets Outcomes Identify pathways of wild dogs Wild dog behaviour on public / private land interface More efficient and targeted programs Identify wild dog home ranges All tenures from state forest, national park, crown land and private lands Understand movement patterns and den location sites to better inform programs Increase cost effectiveness and efficiency of control methods Knowledge of wild dog movement patterns, behaviour and preferred pathways Demonstrates LLS efficiencies and potential to expand the programs Interaction of wild dogs with livestock Wild dog behaviour on public / private land interface Increased knowledge to better inform affected landholders Community knowledge Community meetings with technical experts providing latest research and knowledge of results from Northern NSW Informed community working together, better community reporting Staff skills Upskilling LLS staff through mentoring and teaching from DPI Invasive Species Unit technical specialists Improved relationships and trust between LLS and community, staff satisfaction Quality data set Data capture, storage and use of wild dog data including camera data Meaningful data resource to explain issues to landholders, better inform the public and share with agencies, assist with quality spatial representation. Project Plan - Template Page 3 of 4 Commercial In Confidence Uncontrolled When Printed R Willis-Created on 20/05/2015 2:04:47 PM 8. Risk Assessment Identified Risk High/Medium/Low Mitigation Measures WHS Medium to low Risk assessment and SOP developed for each activity Baiting program fails to bait dogs Low/Medium Can overlay wild dog movement with baiting program using GIS maps to show gaps, update baiting program Collar failure Low Use only field tested products Livestock attack from collared dog Low DPI to report when dogs enter private property Collared dog goes missing Medium Community expectations managed and developing a shared understanding, baiting program to run at the same time to give comfort to community that aim is still to capture and remove wild dogs. Community backlash Low Community consultation and education Inability to trap wild dogs Low Use experienced wild dog trappers 9. Timeline JUL Tasks AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2014 Contract XXXX Purchase materials XXXX JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 2015 XXXX Promotion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Field Work Monitor XXXX Collation of data Reporting 10. Approval Recommendation of Project Plan Key Contact (Project Manager) Manager (Sponsor) Approved by General Manager Print Name Michael Leane Ray Willis Rob Kelly Signature Signed Signed and Approved Signed and Approved Date Project Plan - Template Page 4 of 4 Commercial In Confidence Uncontrolled When Printed R Willis-Created on 20/05/2015 2:04:47 PM
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