Australia’s iconic Byron Shire faces a growing threat from feral deer, which have rapidly expanded across New South Wales and Queensland, posing severe environmental and safety risks.
The typically calm Northern Rivers region is one of the last strongholds yet untouched by the invasive species, but recent sightings indicate that may be changing.
Byron Shire Council, working with neighboring councils, warns that the influx of feral deer could spell disaster for local ecosystems and agriculture. “Feral deer cause massive environmental damage and pose threats to both farmland and drivers,” said Claudia Caliari, the council’s Biodiversity Projects Officer. The deer, which travel in large herds, are known to damage vegetation, deplete resources critical to native species, and create hazards on roads due to their size.
Queensland’s significant deer population is likely a key contributor, according to Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta. He highlighted the difficulty in controlling deer populations, noting that deer often cross borders undeterred. “This is a cross-border issue,” Pianta said, emphasizing the need for coordinated management efforts from Queensland to curb the spread into northern NSW.
The impact of these large animals is widespread: deer degrade water quality by occupying creeks and wetlands, strip vegetation vital for native animals, and cause dangerous collisions on roads. They also spread disease and parasites, affecting livestock and agricultural lands.
In response, Byron Shire Council is hosting workshops to educate residents on identifying and reporting deer sightings. Although deer remain protected in many parts of Australia, NSW’s 2015 regulation changes now permit deer hunting on private land and controlled management efforts to mitigate their numbers. For Byron Shire, these steps are critical to preserving the area’s natural beauty and public safety in the face of this emerging threat.
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