❓ Hon Phil Twiss questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the cost and implementation of the feral deer culling program using helicopters and thermal imaging. The Minister provides details on helicopter usage, costs, survey expenditure, and program funding.
AnsweredQoN 415Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Feral deer culling—Helicopters
415. Hon Phil Twiss to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's feral deer control
plan, in which shooters in helicopters will use thermal imaging technology to
cull feral deer populations.
(1) How many helicopters are employed in this
program?
(2) What is the cost per hour for the helicopters and
associated equipment?
(3) How many hours will be conducted on this
program?
(4) What costs have been expended to date on
pre-operational surveys?
(5) How is this program being funded?
415. Hon Phil Twiss to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's feral deer control
plan, in which shooters in helicopters will use thermal imaging technology to
cull feral deer populations.
(1) How many helicopters are employed in this
program?
(2) What is the cost per hour for the helicopters and
associated equipment?
(3) How many hours will be conducted on this
program?
(4) What costs have been expended to date on
pre-operational surveys?
(5) How is this program being funded?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. The answer is correct as of 17 June, the date the member asked
the question.
(1)–(2) One helicopter is utilised. Hourly
cost, including pilot time and thermal equipment, is approximately $3,000.
(3) Approximately 50 helicopter operational hours will
be conducted in 2025.
(4) Approximately $200,000 has been spent on
surveys to establish population densities at the three control sites.
(5) The state government's $3 million three-year—2024–25
to 2026–27—vertebrate pest management program is a budget
initiative supported by federal co-investment to address feral deer in Western
Australia before they become widespread and established. WA is in a unique
situation to control these pests whilst populations are still relatively small
and localised.
question. The answer is correct as of 17 June, the date the member asked
the question.
(1)–(2) One helicopter is utilised. Hourly
cost, including pilot time and thermal equipment, is approximately $3,000.
(3) Approximately 50 helicopter operational hours will
be conducted in 2025.
(4) Approximately $200,000 has been spent on
surveys to establish population densities at the three control sites.
(5) The state government's $3 million three-year—2024–25
to 2026–27—vertebrate pest management program is a budget
initiative supported by federal co-investment to address feral deer in Western
Australia before they become widespread and established. WA is in a unique
situation to control these pests whilst populations are still relatively small
and localised.
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