THE state government says banning dogs from the coastal Mornington Peninsula National Park has already proved its worth in protecting the endangered hooded plover.
Parks Victoria says eight chicks survived the most recent breeding season compared with one two seasons ago.
The controversial dog ban was put in place along the 42 kilometre coastline in November 2016 to protect the hooded plover and its habitat.
Banning dogs has also enabled Parks Victoria to extend fox control programs to help protect the 32 other fauna species of conservation significance that also inhabit the park.
Parks Victoria is undertaking regular targeted patrols to ensure people continue to obey the ban.
“Our dog ban is protecting the hooded plover and benefitting all wildlife in the national park.” Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said.
MP for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino said a “few people” had been caught disobeying the dog ban over summer although “most … are doing the right thing – which is helping us protect the Peninsula.”
First published in the Western Port News – 18 April 2017
