Management of invasive species plaguing Australian farms and national parks could be set back years if fuel rationing is implemented, experts have warned.
The warning comes after the Albanese government slashed the excise for petrol on Monday as the Iran war enters its fifth week.
Limestone Coast Landscape Board general manager Steve Bourne, who oversees deer control operations on the South Australian coast, said while he was yet to receive any indication of aviation fuel rationing, that eventuality could put pest controllers last, setting back operations by years.
“For deer eradication, or even control programs, if you’re not removing 35 per cent of the population each year, you’re actually going backwards,” Mr Bourne said, noting the invasive species’ high breeding rate.
“So, if we miss an autumn, and worse still, if we happen to miss the spring as well, and miss a whole year, that’d be the worst-case scenario.
“That sets us back potentially thousands of deer and sets the program back a year or two to catch up again.”
In 2021, there were an estimated 24,000 deer on the Limestone Coast, Mr Bourne said.
Over five years, that number had been brought down to 10,000, but if the 2026 season was missed, it could shoot up again to 13,000, he warned.
That would put pressure not just on threatened native species such as malleefowl and endangered orchards, whose numbers are only just on the way up, but also on farmers.
“The farmers have had two tough years and they’ve had a really good start to this year – good pastures,” Mr Bourne said.
“It would be a real kick in the guts for them to suddenly have deer numbers explode and start impacting their pastures again.”
Invasive Species Council chief executive Jac Gough said pest management operations, including those targeting deer, fire ants, and feral grasses, were heavily dependent on helicopter-based methods, such as aerial culling, and therefore exposed to any potential rationing of aviation fuel.
“I am concerned that if there are moves to limit access to aviation fuel, that feral animal control could be an easy victim,” Mr Gough said.
“If that was to happen, it would mean that the problem will get worse, that eradication work that is ongoing could be halted or severely curtailed by any rationing.”
Mr Gough warned that winter was a key period for many pest control managers, getting in before breeding seasons in spring, and the longer programs were left, populations would “increase with exponential growth”.
“As the numbers increase, it means that you’re going to get even more in the years ahead at a faster and faster rate. So, a gap over winter, a gap for a short period can have a very big impact,” he said.
“That ultimately means spending more money down the track to get on top of them or in some cases that eradication is no longer possible.
“Feral animal control is going to cost more over the short term while this crisis is ongoing, and that means that there needs to be an additional investment to support that extra cost.”
Mr Gough warned that what would likely be a “difficult budget” for Treasurer Jim Chalmers could have “serious consequences for environmental management in this country”.
Cuts to programs would mean “skilled workers being stood down” and eradication curtailed, Mr Gough warned.
The Albanese government has faced pressure over its handling of the fuel crisis.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week revealed six fuel ships cancelled since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East had been replaced.
He has so far ruled out any rationing, though the government does have the ability to enact emergency powers.
A spokesperson for Transport Minister Catherine King said Australia had all fuel types, including jet fuel.
“There are currently 30 days of jet fuel in reserve (as of March 24),” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to work directly with airlines and other key fuel users to understand their fuel supply outlooks.”
It is understood conversations are ongoing to ensure access to all fuel types, including diesel and aviation fuel.
