Feral Pigs

117 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().8 September 2022).

1. How many feral pigs does the Department of Primary Industries and Regions estimate to be in South Australia as at 30 June 2022?

2. How many feral goats does the Department of Primary Industries and Regions estimate to be in South Australia as at 30 June 2022?

3. How many feral deer does the Department of Primary Industries and Regions estimate to be in South Australia as at 30 June 2022?

4. What is the total annual expenditure of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions on programs to manage or eradicate the feral populations of pigs, goats and deer?

5. What programs does the Department of Primary Industries and Regions operate manage or eradicate the feral populations of pigs, goats and deer?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I have been advised:

Feral pigs

I have been advised there are less than 50 feral pigs on Kangaroo Island.

I am advised that PIRSA estimates there to be 1,000 feral pigs in the Riverland and Murray Lands Landscape region.

I am advised landscape boards spend up to $100,000 on feral pig control each year.

Feral goats

I am advised the population of feral goats in South Australia is typically about 300,000.

Feral deer

I am advised there are around 40,000 feral deer in South Australia, with the highest population of around 25,000 in the Limestone Coast Landscape region, followed by around 8,000 in the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape region.

In 2021-22, PIRSA, landscape boards and the Department for Environment and Water commenced a project to eradicate feral deer from South Australia over the next decade.

This program has secured funding of $4 million from the commonwealth and state governments and landscape boards, covering the first four years of the 10-year program.

The aerial and ground culling programs run by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board culled about 2,000 feral deer with programs operating across private properties, ForestrySA reserves and National Parks.

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Forestry SA and Department for Environment and Water culled almost 300 feral deer from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape region, with programs operating across private properties, ForestrySA reserves and national parks.

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and the Department for Environment and Water culled almost 245 feral deer in the Northern and Yorke Landscape region, with programs operating across private properties and national parks.