Councillor Column Councillor Kate Milton

Did you know that Council has a feral pig management program? In partnership with Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd (HCPSL), cane farmers, graziers, National Parks and other land managers, Council has been baiting and trapping feral pigs across the Shire since 2009.

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We are proud to operate the second-longest running feral pig management program in the country. Over the life of the program, approximately one million feral pigs have been managed through coordinated control activities.

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Feral pigs cause significant damage to our cane industry, environment and grazing lands.  

They dig up the ground, spread weeds, destroy pasture and crops, and leave the land rough, uneven and difficult to traverse.

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They can devastate cane crops, resulting in millions of dollars in yield losses, while also damaging cane stools needed for future ratoons. Feral pigs can spread disease and are a major biosecurity concern. They also threaten native wildlife, including turtle nesting areas along our beaches, where they can dig up and destroy nests.

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To support our Feral Pig Management Program and help reduce feral pig numbers even further, we are launching a Pig Trapping Competition.

The competition will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026.

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Prizes will be awarded for the most pigs trapped, along with a participation prize. Terms and conditions apply, and participants must register to enter.

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This is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to teach the next generation about responsible land management, protecting the environment, and controlling feral animals to support food security and agricultural production.

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To register or find out more, contact the HCPSL team on (07) 4776 5660 or email hcpslfrontdesk@hcpsl.com.au

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