New South Wales Kangaroo Management Program: 2002 and beyond..

Abstract

Immediately following the review of the New South Wales (NSW) Kangaroo Management Program (KMP) in 1997, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service initiated a strategic planning process involving the NSW Kangaroo Management Advisory Committee. In April 2000 the strategic planning process progressed into a full review of the KMP 1998-2002 and various reports were commissioned. The draft KMP 2002-2006 was released for public comment on 14 July 2001. Key issues considered when preparing the new program were the legislative framework, the inclusion of goals and objectives that can be audited, the merits of damage mitigation as a rationale for commercial kangaroo use and the format and writing style of the KMP 1998-2002. Following analysis of submissions on the draft KMP 2002-2006, the program was finalised and submitted to the Australian Commonwealth Government for approval. The KMP 2002-2006 was approved by the Commonwealth and is valid from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. The KMP 2002-2006 has a single overarching goal to maintain viable populations of kangaroos throughout their ranges in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. This goal is serviced by six new management-based objectives, each of which is covered by a specific section in the new management program. The new management program no longer relies on identification of damage as justification for commercial kangaroo use, and facility for an adaptive management approach has been added for the first time. Specific arrangements for ongoing program audits, periodic full program reviews and community awareness and participation are further additions to the new management program.