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Wollongong councillors will call on the NSW Government to increase funding for the humane culling of the city’s “out of control” deer population. Councillors unanimously supported the motion by Cr Leigh Colacino at Monday night’s meeting, also pledging to write to the state members in the area to highlight the dangers. Cr Colacino said the expanding numbers of deer were a risk to the environment, to native animals – and to human life, with the introduced species literally roaming the streets. Read more: Fifteen deer spread across the M1 at West Wollongong “Wollongong is surrounded by three things … the national park, the water catchment areas and escarpment protection zone,” he said. “Those three create the perfect nursery for these pests, but the Garden of Eden isn’t big enough for the growing population and that’s why they’re invading our suburbs. “Yes, the current drought does exacerbate the problem but the deer aren’t just moving into residential areas because of the smorgasboard of plants that are available. “It’s also because they are being pushed away by their birth herds and are being forced to establish their own herd, and so the story grows.” Cr Colacino said around 2800 deer had been humanely culled since 2011; with 748 killed last year. “The figures show the current culling program has not really made any sort of significant inroads into helping eliminate overall numbers,” he said. “The population is out of control. Read more: Not many people fawning over deer in the Illawarra “There needs to be a commitment from the state government for this issue … this problem is much to big for us to cope with alone.” Cr Vicky King said more than 20,000 deer needed to be culled in three years, just to maintain the population. “In four years deer population of 8000 can become 33,000 on all the studies that have been done,” she said. Meantime Cr David Brown said more people needed to be aware of the damage deer were causing in suburbs across the city. “The idea that they’re something where you put on your hunting jacket and bop them off for sport is no longer tenable,” he said. “… Deers are the cane toads of the escarpment, they’re only bigger – and they’re growing in numbers and they’re getting bolder.” Cr Jenelle Rimmer added that the problem was so bad, the Illawarra had been listed as one of the four wild deer hotspots in NSW requiring urgent attention by the Natural Resources Commission. A review of the state’s pest animal management by the NRC had also found current practices were outdated and restrictive, Cr Rimmer said. “Compounding the problem is the Northern Illawarra Wild Deer Management Program administered by the NSW Government struggles to meet demand due to lack of resources,” she said. “… Without the strong intervention of strong government this issue is going to continue to grow – (deer) numbers are out of control due to the lacklustre approach.” Councillors also resolved that a report be delivered to council by November 5; detailing the responses from the letters, and outlining the actions to be taken by the state government, council and local land services.

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