Page 1882 - Week 06 - Thursday, 30 July 2020
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(1) The Wombat Working Group has only recently been established, with the first informal meeting taking place between initial members in December 2019.
(2) The Wombat Working Group has four main objectives.
• Provide a mechanism for clear communication and internal information flow regarding issues pertaining to the management of wombat populations in the ACT.
• Establish a coordinated approach to research, data collection and management actions to enable evidence-based decision-making and planning.
• Guide development of policy positions related to the various issues of wombat management in the ACT; and
• Enable effective collaboration and liaison between the ACT Government and external stakeholders. External stakeholders include wildlife carers, the broader ACT community, research institutions, veterinary and wildlife health organisations, and wombat specialist groups, such as the national working group on wombat mange.
(3) There is no specified timeframe for the operational continuation of the Wombat Working Group. The Wombat Working Group was formed because of a need to communicate and engage on the issue of wombat management. While the need remains, the working group will remain active.
(4) The working group will report within government including to the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna.
(5) The membership of the Wombat Working Group is still evolving. It is currently comprised of 17 ACT Government staff, from the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate business units of Conservation Research, Natural Resource Management, Parks and Conservation Service, Conservation and Biosecurity, and Water Planning and Policy. This reflects a broad skill set which includes fauna ecologists, regional Landcare facilitators, veterinarians, rangers, licencing and compliance staff, and land management managers.
(6) The group is actively engaged in ongoing communication and consultation with ACT wildlife carer community groups. Consultation with wildlife carers has been highly productive and includes data sharing and discussions around mange management, both of which are ongoing. Further consultation with other community groups is planned, but to date has been limited by COVID-19 restrictions.
(7) To date, while discussions around various aspects of wombat management have taken place, there has been no formal decision-making by the group regarding wombat management or mange management in the ACT. Information and outcomes from the recent Commonwealth government roundtable on mange in wombats will be used to inform the ACT’s position and actions. The group is currently involved in data consolidation with the wildlife carer groups.
(8) Two field trials involving the treatment of mange in wombats have been undertaken in the ACT in recent years. Both trials have involved wildlife carer groups and individuals working with ACT government staff. Three qualified veterinarians are on
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