Hundreds of dead birds are piling up at Nelson in south-western Victoria while just three kilometres away South Australian crews are actively collecting carcasses, exposing serious questions about Victoria’s response to the growing H5 bird flu threat.
Nelson residents have reported hundreds of dead birds accumulating around the Glenelg River Estuary, part of the internationally significant Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site.
Local ecologists estimate at least 400 carcasses have accumulated around the river mouth, while South Australian authorities across the border have dedicated crews collecting and disposing of dead birds and humanely euthanising sick birds where appropriate.
The Victorian Government has acknowledged that carcass removal will not occur everywhere and says it is prioritising areas of high visitation and public amenity.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said the stark difference between the responses on either side of the border demanded an explanation.
“Birds and bird flu don’t stop at the South Australian border, but unfortunately state government competency does” Ms Kealy said.
“South Australian crews are removing carcasses and dealing with sick birds, while just three kilometres away in Nelson, hundreds of dead birds are being left around an internationally significant wetland.
“People should not be left wondering why crossing an invisible state border results in a completely different response to exactly the same biosecurity threat.”
H5 bird flu is now established in wild birds in Victoria, with 108 confirmed positive wildlife events recorded in the state as of 26 August.
The Victorian Government has also introduced a statewide control order authorising public land managers to move and dispose of wildlife that has died from H5 bird flu.
The Federal Government yesterday announced an additional $125 million for the national H5 response, with states and territories required to match funding to access it.
Ms Kealy said the Victorian Government must immediately explain whether it would match the Commonwealth funding and detail what additional frontline response that money will deliver.
“This is not the time for Victoria to be slow or complacent,” Ms Kealy said.
“We need boots on the ground, clear advice for communities, appropriate surveillance and testing, and properly resourced land managers able to respond where carcass removal is required.
“Victoria must also remain absolutely focused on protecting our poultry sector. H5 has not been detected in Victorian poultry and keeping it out of farms must be one of the Government’s highest biosecurity priorities.
“An outbreak in commercial poultry could have devastating consequences for farmers, regional jobs, animal welfare and food production.
“The Government has known H5 was coming. Now that it is here, Victorians deserve a response that matches the seriousness of the threat.”
