Areas of Namadgi and Molonglo and Murrumbidgee River Corridors to close for feral deer and pig control

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service wishes to advise that sections of the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee River Corridors and Namadgi National Park will be closed for 5 days for the safety of visitors during feral deer and pig control operations.

ACT Parks and Conservation Service will be undertaking a feral deer and pig aerial control program to help manage their harmful impact to the environment, as well to help assist Namadgi’s ecosystem during ongoing bushfire recovery.

The closures will be in effect from Monday 21st June until 11.59 Thursday 24th June.

“It is important that as responsible land managers we implement programs that will reduce the impact that invasive animals like feral pigs and deer have on our environment,” ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna, Ian Walker said.

“Feral deer and pigs can damage our already endangered plant and animal species due to their grazing, antler rubbing, trampling, trail creation and wallowing. They can also affect the areas that are key to the ACT’s water supply.

“This will also help with the government’s ongoing bushfire recovery program. For the past 16 months our teams have been hard at work to make sure Namadgi National Park is in the strongest position for recovery following the Orroral Valley bushfire,”

“Although we have made significant progress and have been able to open the park to visitors ahead of schedule, it is still in a vulnerable state.

“We have made significant progress, but the ecological and cultural values are still at risk following the fires. Our approach to bushfire recovery is to facilitate a natural regeneration of the park by managing threats from invasive plants and animals.

“It is important that threatened species and ecological communities can recover without being impacted by feral deer and pigs.

“This is just one section of our wider control program that we have in place to manage invasive animals in our parks and reserves. Aerial shooting is part of an integrated approach to reduce the impacts of these species.

“The community’s safety is our priority, which is why we have closed these areas. Our team will also implement extensive safety precautions during the aerial control program, such as buffer zones and clear signage.”

“While we understand these closures might affect some plans Canberrans have to visit these areas, this program will help our environment and allow Namadgi to continue to recover. There are still many areas of Namadgi, Canberra Nature Park and the river reserves open during this time and I encourage the community to still get out and enjoy those areas.”

Areas and tracks that will be closed during this time include:

  • Shanahans Mt walking track
  • Bicentennial National Trail through Naas Valley
  • Mt Clear Campground
  • Centenary Trail between Kambah Pool and Pine Island
  • Tongs Trail
  • and access to Brandy Flat and Horse Gully Huts

Maps of closed areas can be viewed at the links below.

/Public Release. View in full here.