He said the consortium - including scientists from 17 Australian and New Zealand universities, business associations, eight government agencies including the Department of Defence and Parks Victoria, and the Museum of Victoria - would know by the end of August if it had been short-listed for funding, and if successful the first money would come through by next July. Preliminary work would begin immediately on a ''scoping'' study - which includes building community awareness, seeking government permission and investigating the logistics of setting up a trial release which could occur by 2015. Dr Chris Johnson, a zoologist with the University of Tasmania, says the plan has potential benefits, notably the suppression of foxes and feral cats, but ''could be difficult to carry out if it doesn't get community support. This is a bold and brave plan and that can be frightening to people.''

Dr Johnson believes the main objectors would be sheep graziers. ''They will attack lambs, but it hasn't happened at a high level. But it's sufficient to alarm farmers. The default position would be we don't want more predators.''

But the Wilson Promontory plan could mollify those concerns, because the devil and quoll populations could be contained. There could also be some enthusiasm from farmers if the devils proved effective at killing foxes.

Dr Menna Jones, a University of Tasmania zoologist who specialises in carnivores, said there was increasing evidence that the Tasmanian devil was able to suppress feral cats, at least in forested habitats. An analysis of spotlighting data over 25 years in the north-east of Tasmania found that as the devil population declined because of contagious facial cancer, the population of feral cats increased.

Christopher Dickman, professor in terrestrial ecology at the University of Sydney wasn't aware of the CRC bid, but considers it an exciting development. He says the move would be like ''re-wilding'' overseas where there is talk of returning brown bears to the UK, and wolves to Wales and Japan.