Duck hunting permanently closed at two local billabongs (DEWLP Media Release)

To protect public safety, duck hunting at Brickworks and Cowanna Billabongs in Merbein Common near Mildura has been permanently banned.

To protect public safety, duck hunting at Brickworks and Cowanna Billabongs in Merbein Common near Mildura has been permanently banned.

There are residential properties close to the billabongs, and Merbein Common is becoming increasingly popular with visitors.

Regulations were recently made to ban the carriage and use of bows and firearms at the billabongs. Contravention of the regulations is subject to a penalty of over $3000.

Signage will be in place at Brickworks and Cowanna Billabongs prior to the start of the 2019 duck hunting season.

The billabongs will be patrolled by Parks Victoria and Victoria Police to ensure illegal hunting doesn’t occur.

The decision to permanently close the billabongs to duck hunting was made after site inspections, a risk assessment and stakeholder consultation, including discussions with hunting organisations, several government agencies, Merbein residents adjoining the billabongs and the Friends of Merbein Common.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is leading an investigation to identify potential new hunting options in the Mildura area.

Quotes attributable to Ian Curwood, District Manager, Parks Victoria:

“Merbein Common is an increasingly popular recreational area for bushwalking, cycling, bird watching, camping, and canoeing/kayaking.”

Quotes attributable to Annie Volkering, Acting Executive Director Land Management Policy, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning:

“Waterways and wetlands such as the Brickworks and Cowanna Billabongs provide important recreational opportunities for local communities.”

“Recreational duck hunting is also a popular activity. However, challenges can arise when water bodies and surrounding land are valued by multiple users for different and sometimes conflicting purposes.”

“Following a detailed investigation, it was determined that there is a risk to residents and visitors from hunting activity within and around the Brickworks and Cowanna Billabongs, and that closure of the billabongs to hunting was the appropriate action to address the risks to public safety.”