A short survey has been letterboxed to residents and is also available via council offices, closing October 18.

The survey is not available online, as council is only seeking the views of the local community.

The survey was also distributed at a public meeting last week, attended by 60 people. 

Hunter LLS and council representatives outlined the consultation process around the proposed on-ground deer control program in response to the rapid growth in deer numbers in the area.

The audience contributed their stories about the impact of deer on their properties including lack of feed for stock and horses, and the financial impact of fencing being destroyed and stock escaping. 

The environmental impacts include the deer spreading seeds of plants they like such as St John’s Wort.

The majority of those at the meeting supported the on-ground program occurring.

Out of the meeting, 18 surveys from Murrurundi and Blandford residents have been received and all said deer numbers were too high.

* 17 said yes “on ground deer control is necessary in the Upper Hunter Shire” (1 no response)

* 14 said they saw deer close to property daily (2 weekly, 1 monthly, 1 a few times a year)

* 15 said deer had damaged their property (3 said no damage to property). Property damage listed from $100 to $50,000 and ’78 acres of fencing’.

* 12 have had problems with deer when driving – near misses/collisions

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood said he personally supported action to reduce or remove the deer but that council would only act based on community opinion.

He urged locals to complete the survey.

“This is an invasive feral pest and I think the ‘manageable’ number around town is zero,” Cr Bedggood said.

“My view is just one of many, and everyone who is being impacted should have their say.”

Hunter LLS has recommended their aerial shooting operations in more remote areas, be complemented by a ground-based operation within the open spaces of Murrurundi, conducted by council with Hunter LLS assistance.

Council will consider the proposal in light of the results of the community consultation, at the next council ordinary meeting.

If it goes ahead, the program would be conducted by licenced and accredited professional shooters with noise-supressed firearms, at night, and carcasses would be removed for commercial use.

Hunter LLS will be talking further to landowners and seeking information about where the highest numbers of deer are being seen.

More information is available at http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/your-council/media/news/murrurundi-deer-control-consultation.aspx

Council may make a submission to the current Senate Inquiry into “The impact of feral deer, pigs and goats in Australia”, closing November 2, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/FeralDeerPigsandGoats