Farming

• Cape Barren geese are costing Phillip Island farmers about $2250 per hectare in crop damage, or $22,500 for a 10-hectare crop. A three-month study last year by PINP and Federation University, on a Phillip Island sheep and beef farm, found wildlife – of which 99 per cent were geese – were responsible for decreased yield of spring crops by 40-65 per cent and summer crops by 50-100 per cent;
• Phillip Island land use: 60 per cent agriculture, 20 per cent residential/commercial, 20 per cent PINP.

“Despite the impact of Cape Barren Geese on crops and pastures, many landholders have reported a desire to avoid the use of lethal control due to not wanting to harm the birds or impact the Island’s reputation, safety issues associated with the use of firearms and the possible repercussion from the community,” the wildlife plan states.

There is a strong desire for more effective and sustainable control options.”

Cape Barren Geese

• There are few records of geese on Phillip Island before 1970. In the mid to late 1970s they were released at Conservation Hill near Rhyll.
•  Annual counts of Cape Barren Geese have been undertaken since 1993 and numbers increased significantly in response to the successful eradication of foxes from the island. There are now about 3000 on the island, up from under 200 in the early 90s.

Currently, the only option for controlling Cape Barren geese on Phillip Island is exclusion, scaring or lethal control. Fencing is ineffective unless the area can also be covered to prevent the birds from flying in. Scaring has also proven to be ineffective as the birds have become habituated to humans or the deterrent devices.

Swamp Wallabies

• First recorded on Phillip Island in the 1850s to 1880s. Through the 1930s to 1950s they were scarce and rarely seen through to the 1970s. Numbers increased through the 1980s;
• GPS trackers attached to 48 wallabies in 2018 showed they appeared to be more likely to cross roads where there are higher speed limits, in more rural and less densely populated areas;
• A 2014 study found at least 300 wallabies are killed each year just on the main roads of Phillip Island;
• Wallabies in the Oswin Roberts Reserve have been monitored from 1998 to 2018 indicating the population increased for five years.

Wallabies may have benefited from the removal of foxes, but the increase is more likely due to revegetation projects increasing habitat and food

Common Brushtail Possums 

• Established on Phillip Island in the 1920s after being introduced by local residents;
• They are now abundant on Phillip Island particularly in areas with high vegetation, including urban zones;
• No repeated surveys have been conducted

Exclusion fencing, tree banding and control through Authorities To Control Wildlife (lethal and non-lethal) have been used, including on eucalyptus trees at the Koala Conservation Reserve, to control possums with “limited success”.

Browsing pressures from possums – and wallabies – is impacting on vegetation regeneration and the recovery of some plants listed as vulnerable in Victoria, with possums even contributing to tree dieback.

Consultation period extended

The consultation period on the new Phillip Island Wildlife Plan has been extended

Originally scheduled for a four-week consultation period, the draft plan will now be available for feedback on the Engage Victoria website until January 17, 2021.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning said the decision to extend the consultation came after a number of requests from the community.

She said it would allow for careful consideration of the draft plan and provide time for community groups to meet before submitting their feedback.

View the draft plan and comment at engage.vic.gov.au/development-phillip-island-millowl-wildlife-plan