North Coast councils are growing increasingly worried about feral deer gaining a foothold and causing all sorts of problems, from nasty traffic crashes to long-lasting environmental harm.
Pest deer populations have already established themselves across the Mid-North Coast – at Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Valley and at Port Macquarie – wrecking the environment and being blamed for a string of nasty car crashes.
Now, Tweed Shire Council is on the bandwagon in a bid to stop the pests from becoming endemic.
In partnership with Kyogle and Byron Shire councils, Tweed has launched a survey to understand the community’s perception of feral deer, and to get a handle on their numbers in the Northern Rivers.
Local feral deer management expert Rachel Hughes, who is managing the survey on behalf of the councils, said feral deer were spreading and it could be a big problem if action isn’t taken.
Tweed Shire Council has launched a community survey to get a handle on deer numbers and public perceptions to the pest animals. This video shows a startled deer rush into a blanket of bush at Pottsville in 2022.
“Feral deer are in all states and territories of Australia but they are in largest numbers in the eastern parts of Victoria and NSW, where they are spreading quickly,” she said.
Nambucca and Port Macquarie councils have long been concerned about feral deer numbers, noting that as a large animal they create a dire threat to motorists.
A herd of feral deer captured on camera in South East Queensland in 2022.
There have been calls for the animals to be culled – but just like the wild brumbies trampling Kosciuszko National Park – they have their fans.
Fabled images of reindeer powering Santa’s sleigh and the Disney movie Bambi have enhanced their stature in the eyes of many.
A feral deer spotted on a residential block at Newee Creek in the Nambucca Valley. Picture: Chris Knight
In New Zealand, authorities tried to negate public sentiment by changing the name of farmed deer meat to ‘venison’.
“In NSW, the six species of feral deer now inhabit 22 per cent of the state, where their distribution area has grown by 35 per cent since 2016,” Ms Hughes said.
Feral deer have been wreaking havoc on the Gold Coast.
“Just over the border in Queensland, feral deer are a significant problem and have recently been spotted in front yards, along roads and in suburbia.
“If we don’t act now, it won’t be long before they potentially establish in the Northern Rivers.”
Nerang resident Susie Overington is worried about the amount of feral deer roaming on her property.
There have been 50 confirmed sightings of feral deer reported in the Tweed since the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Alert program was launched in 2021.
Residents are urged to complete the short survey by October 31 at tweed.nsw.gov.au/deer.
People can report all feral deer sightings at feralscan.org.au/deerscan.
Local Land Services (LLS) North Coast warns managing deer numbers is hindered by the limited number of effective controls available and a range of community perceptions about their status as a pest versus valuable resource.
Many land managers do not have the ability or suitable firearms to undertake shooting successfully.
The government agency says the problems caused by feral deer peak during breeding season (or rut), when the would-be alpha males rub, scrape and ringbark trees, and disturb soil and shrubs.