The next phase of the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-24 was announced recently, backed by $5.3 million funding from the government.
The four-year plan will support the state’s 60,000 licensed game hunters, improve animal welfare and help facilitate important research.
The state is providing $1 million to increase the role of Traditional Owners in managing the land where hunting takes place.
This funding will be provided to implement the Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy, which was a key achievement of the most recent Sustainable Hunting Action Plan.
Members of the Traditional Owner community led the development of the strategy, which was launched earlier this year at the Tang Tang Swamp – a pilot project showcasing a Dja Dja Wurrung-led restoration of Country, including replanting native vegetation along with restoring cultural water and fire regimes.
Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy Project Control Group chair Rodney Carter welcomed the funding.
“It is great to see the government supporting opportunities for Traditional Owners to manage Country and pass on knowledge and wisdom to future generations so they can maintain strong connections to the land,” he said.
New grants for community initiatives will be available under the strategy to fund a range of activities such as regional game food events, habitat restoration and conservation projects, hunter education and research.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said safe, responsible and sustainable game hunting made an important contribution to Victoria’s regional economy.
“I’m excited to see the Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy being put into practice,” she said.
“It offers opportunities for Aboriginal communities to manage Country while sharing their traditional values and practices.”
The strategy also outlines the need for better access to information about hunting locations by enhancing the More to Explore app, as well as new education programs through online learning modules and improving animal welfare through wounding reduction action plans.
Hunting is a popular recreational activity in northern Victoria and makes a significant contribution to the economy.
Game licence holders added an estimated $356 million to the Victorian economy in 2019, supporting around 3100 full-time-equivalent jobs.
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