Greens Beach Golf Club say their greens are being destroyed by wildlife

The practice of culling wild animals at the course has long been a point of consideration.

As far back as the 1960s, when the golf course was in its infancy, wild animals overran the greens and were culled using 1080 poison.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'It's a treasure': An overdue ode to the remarkable Tasmanian native hen

In 2011 a professional shooter killed about 1600 animals in three months during a cull at the golf course.

But the wildlife returned to the point course greenkeeper Peter Blazely said keeping the place in order was close to futile.

"Every morning you come and you think why did you even do it [cut the greens] in the first place," he said.

Mr Blazely said the rabbits and wallabies would eat round holes on, and scratch up, the course's greens.

He said the proposed cull was the first one that had been undertaken since he started at the course four years ago.

He said there were so many wallabies and rabbits around the course now it had gotten to the point the club saw no other way than to undertake the cull.

"There are that many down here it's just an ongoing thing," he said.

The proposed cull is similar to that which was undertaken in 2011 with a professional shooter taking out only the targeted species. The golf course is home to some protected Tasmanian native hen and Mr Blazely said it was important none of the endemic birds were harmed.

Mr Blazely said if culling was not an option there would be no greens left and course users would drop off.

Members of the golf club were consulted in an email that said: "Due to the damage of the greens on the golf course, the Greens Beach Golf Club have organised a registered and licensed operator to remove the excess wildlife (Wallaby & Rabbit), early next week."

West Tamar Council mayor Christina Holmdahl said she could the need for the cull to be implemented and had "every confidence" the group running the course would do it as humanely as possible.

"[I understand] provided they're dealt with under strictest regulations and dealt with humanely."

The Examiner understands, as of Tuesday evening, community-wide consultation had not yet taken place.

One resident, who wished not to be named, said they believed it was imperative all community members should be notified as soon as possible.

The golf course is a feature of Greens Beach and there is a caravan park, and at least 29 houses backing directly onto the course separated by a small fence.

The resident said they were concerned that if the community was unaware of the potential cull then there was a danger of entering the course when it was being undertaken.

They also said, given the nature and location of the course being in the centre of the town, the particular case was more nuanced than other possible instances.

The local caravan park was also unaware of the proposed cull.

The process to apply for a crop protection permit, that which allows the culling of wildlife, does not require applicants to carry out community consultation.

A spokesperson for the Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Department, which issues the permit, said, "a valid crop protection permit is in place which allows the permit holder to take wallabies and brushtail possums. Crop protection permits for wallabies and brushtail possums are valid for five years".

The application process involves the applicant providing the location of the cull, the targeted species, how many animals are hoped to be taken, how the animal are intended to be killed and evidence the damage caused by wildlife is posing an unacceptable risk, including to a commercial activity.

The spokesperson said the permits were granted if alternative, non-lethal strategies were not effective or practical.

"Discussions with landowners during the application process cover damage mitigation strategies, including non-lethal strategies, and their feasibility, potential impacts on neighbouring properties, as well as responsibilities and requirements if a permit is issued," they said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: