10 April 2025
The National Wild Dog Action Plan welcomes Western Australian sheep producer, Chris Patmore, as the new Chair of its steering committee.
Mr Patmore was voted in as Chair at the National Wild Dog Action Plan Coordination Committee meeting on 2 April 2025. He succeeds longstanding Chair and South Australian producer, Geoff Power, who has stepped down from the role but remains a member of the Committee.
Mr Patmore said that he was honoured to take on the responsibility of leading the implementation of the Plan, recognising the significant impact it has on both Australia’s environment and livestock industries.
“As a sheep producer, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impacts of wild dog attacks on livestock and our biodiversity. As Chair, I look forward to collaborating on wild dog control with my fellow Committee members. Together, we will work to advance best-practice wild dog management across Australia, helping to protect our native species, and support the growth of the agriculture sector,” said Mr Patmore.
“I know I’ve got big shoes to fill, and on behalf of the Committee, I’d like to thank outgoing Chair, Geoff Power, for his tireless efforts in the implementation of the National Wild Dog Action Plan over the years. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue his work of driving best-practice wild dog control measures and providing national direction for wild dog policy development.”
Peter Star, who has served for many years as the Victorian producer representative on the Committee, has also stepped down from his role following his appointment as Vice President of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation in late 2024.
“Peter has been a huge advocate for the National Wild Dog Action Plan over the years and I’d like to recognise his unwavering dedication to the Plan’s implementation,” said Mr Patmore.
Greg Mifsud, National Wild Dog Management Coordinator, said he was looking forward to working closely with Mr Patmore and the Committee to continue driving evidence-based, best practice wild dog management tools and methods.
“Wild dog attacks have a significant economic and emotional impact on producers, not to mention the impact on our native species. Recent conversations with producers in the Northern Territory, Victoria and South Australia indicate that wild dog management remains critically important for our livestock industries and our biodiversity,” said Mr Mifsud.
“I look forward to working with our new Chair and fellow Committee members on Australia’s approach to wild dog management – which aims not to eradicate wild dogs, but to manage their numbers in a way that supports the coexistence of livestock production and wild dog and dingo populations.”
For more information about the National Wild Dog Action Plan, visit www.wilddogplan.org.au.
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