WQ DogWatch is the name of the newest wild-dog group formed in Queensland, made up of the chairpeople of 13 wild-dog groups and covering more than a third of the state.
It was set up voluntarily by the group heads initially to discuss the logistics of the western Queensland aerial baiting calendar, but has branched out to regularly share regional issues.
Longreach group chairman Greg Bowden described it as a fantastic initiative, saying it was bridging the gap between local wild-dog committees and QDOG.
“The AWI-AgForce coordinator, Brett Carlsson, got the ball rolling, but some group heads felt it should be up to shire group leaders to organise baiting dates,” he said.
“That way, it’s coming from the grassroots – the graziers and managers who are running these committees.”
Members come from the local government areas of Flinders, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall/Tambo, Barcoo, Diamantina, Quilpie, Bulloo, Paroo, Murweh, Maranoa and Balonne.
Mr Carlsson said its formation demonstrated that landholders could pull together, and it was proof that they were recognising the wild dogs were a regional and state issue, not just a local one.
Some of the benefits identified include giving people the opportunity to address issues as they arise, before they have a chance to multiply, and allowing regular access to updates from neighbouring shires to improve the coordination of efforts.
The group has finalised the spring baiting calendar, which has been reduced from 16 weeks to 10 weeks in length, and will be reviewed at their next monthly teleconference.
Greg Bowden expected that a range of issues would be scrutinised at that meeting, including the effectiveness of the State Government’s wild-dog officers, and how to improve wild-dog control on a landscape basis, rather than stopping at shire boundaries.
“We’ve got to do whatever works to get dogs,” Mr Bowden said.
