DEECA Community meeting

Speakers at the meeting included

• Julie Simons, State Incident Controller, DEECA
• Eve Graham, Director Wildlife and Landscape Protection, DEECA
• Mat Thomas, Emergency Management Specialist from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
• and Terry Mervin, volunteer from the VCC Emergencies Ministry.

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DEECA acknowledged this is difficult and distressing.

They advised that sick birds should generally be avoided and reported through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

Wildlife Victoria may assess live sick wildlife through its volunteer and veterinary network. Agencies are cautious about euthanising sick birds too early because some may recover and build natural resilience in the population.

Agencies agreed people should keep a distance from sick birds and take a wider path where possible.

Land managers may use signage or temporary restrictions where animal welfare, public amenity or safety restrictions make it justified. This will be assessed case by case.

GORCAPA advised the restriction related to a dead tern and signage was placed near the carcass.

The bird was removed and the sign initially stayed in place, which GORCAPA acknowledged caused confusion. The sign was then removed.

The need for improved communication with licensed tour operators was acknowledged, and GORCAPA said it would take that feedback on board. More specific signage is now being used to reduce confusion.

DEECA explained that the virus is mainly spreading through live birds moving, flocking and interacting, often in ways that cannot be seen.

Dead birds can still carry the virus for a period, but the risk begins to reduce after death.

Removal decisions must balance public safety, amenity, worker safety, wildlife stress and cultural/ecological values.

Land managers may remove carcasses from high-use public areas where needed.

DEECA recognised this concern but emphasised that the broader spread is primarily through live infected wildlife.

In high public-use areas, land managers can assess and remove carcasses using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Agencies are not generally encouraging broad public access restrictions because the human health risk from the general environment is considered very low, but localised measures can be considered.

GORCAPA's representative explained that their management of the issue aligns with the state and national response, and follows the “avoid, record, report” approach.

It is authorised to remove carcasses when they create access, safety or amenity issues, such as on paths, playgrounds or heavily used beaches.

Small numbers may be double-bagged and disposed of through normal waste streams. Large mortality events are escalated to DEECA for advice and support.

No. DEECA said wildlife deaths are not being treated as biosecurity waste; they are treated as putrescible animal waste. Therefore, specialised furnace disposal is not required for routine wildlife carcass management.

DEECA said it has been actively engaging with Traditional Owners across Victoria.

The preference, where possible, is for animals to remain on Country or, if disposal is required, to be buried on Country.

This is not always practical depending on land, waterway and site conditions, but consultation is ongoing.

Yes. The hotline operates 24/7. During business hours it has larger contact centre capacity, and after hours calls go to emergency animal disease triage officers.

An online reporting form is also available and may be more convenient when the hotline is busy.

DEECA said it is hard to predict. Overseas experience suggests the disease may ebb and flow, with outbreaks appearing, settling and then reappearing.

Agencies are planning for the possibility of detection in poultry, even though no poultry detections had occurred in Australia at the time of the meeting.

The virus has not been eradicated overseas and communities may need to learn to live with it over time.

DEECA said overseas experience shows high mortality in some species, but no extinctions have been attributed to H5N1 worldwide.

Some populations overseas are showing signs of developing resilience, and Victorian agencies are monitoring local wildlife closely to understand impacts and recovery.

Surf Coast Shire Council said it will promote responsible pet ownership, keeping dogs on leads where required, obeying dog-regulated areas and using common sense around wildlife.

Council may undertake active patrols in areas with high non-compliance. Education is the primary focus, but enforcement tools may be used where needed.

GORCAPA said exclusion zones are an option if needed, particularly where multiple illnesses or deaths occur in high-use areas. However, this is not the preferred first response and would be considered only where the circumstances justify it.

DEECA advised that people do not need to fundamentally change how they allow wildlife and pets in backyards, because the risk is low and zero risk is not achievable. Sensible hygiene and monitoring are recommended.

If a pet rolls in or contacts a dead bird, wash the pet in warm soapy water and monitor it; contact a vet if any concerning symptoms appear.

DEECA advised that bird baths remain useful, especially in hotter and drier months, but should be cleaned and refilled regularly (preferably daily) to reduce contamination risk.

Feeding wild birds is discouraged, particularly during the outbreak, because it can encourage birds to congregate and increase disease transmission risk.

DEECA noted that there have been impacts on dairy cattle in the United States, including illness and reduced milk production, and isolated reports involving sheep. However, the strain currently presenting in Victoria and Australia was described as posing risk mainly to poultry, not cattle or sheep, while noting that this will continue to be monitored.