SSAA NSW

SSAA NSW partner with NPWS for National Park hunting is managed towards a successful outcome and both SSAA NSW and NPWS will be contributors to the independent evaluation of the trial. Who will provide the training? Why the need for supervision from a NPWS staff member? Will volunteers need a first aid qualification? This is consistent with the approach NPWS have taken in both Queensland and South Australia during their initial trial periods. Following the success of the initial trial in Queensland, NPWS have granted more autonomy to volunteers in their pest control programs. We hope to be able to demonstrate to the Government that the volunteer hunters involved in the NSW Program are suitably experienced, skilled and responsible to operate autonomously to achieve the required outcomes of these types of programs. Will this same system being proposed for National Parks also be used in State Forests? Hunting in State Forests has operated, both safely and successfully, in NSW for seven years under the model introduced by the Game Council. SSAA NSW have lobbied aggressively for the existing model to be retained when State Forests are re-opened to hunters. We do not believe the National Parks model would be appropriate for use in State Forests. Will I have to be a member of SSAA to participate? Yes, all volunteers will be required to be current financial members of SSAA. Anyone who is not already a member will have the opportunity to join SSAA if they wish to participate in the SPC Program. Will the Program be run through SSAA NSW's H&C? We anticipate that the SPC Program will be run as part of SSAA NSW's H&C Program. Will there be a cost to become involved? Any required training and accreditation will be provided to SSAA members free of charge, apart from first aid qualifications where SSAA NSW will provide a heavily subsidised alternative for those members who do not already hold a current first aid certificate. Volunteers will be required to cover their transport and accommodation costs for attending the activities and also supply their own firearms and ammunition. Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. The training and accreditation programs will be delivered in partnership by SSAA NSW and NPWS. Yes, volunteers will need to hold a current first aid certificate as a minimum. However, those that don't already hold a current first aid certificate will have the option of completing a course of their choice at a suitable time & place or they can participate in a SSAA NSW run course for a nominal fee. How many activities are planned and what are the opportunities for volunteers? The SPC will mean NPWS now has the increased resources it needs to undertake ground shooting activities more frequently. The numbers of volunteers required for an activity will depend upon the nature of the activity. The final details are currently being worked out, but it is anticipated that there will be ample opportunities for qualified volunteers to participate in activities over the three year trial period. When will the activities be conducted? Activities will be conducted as required by NPWS and will be undertaken during the week as well as on weekend. During activities will volunteers only be permitted to shoot the targeted species? During any activity the focus will be upon the targeted species of that activity, however if other identified pest species are encountered and volunteers have appropriate firearms, these other species will also be dispatched where conditions, safety and time permits. Will volunteers be able to use category C and D firearms? No, volunteers and NPWS staff involved in the SPC will use category A and B firearms as appropriate. NPWS staff are only authorised to use category A and B firearms for ground shooting activities except for specialised operations. Will participation in a SPC activity count towards my attendances? Yes, a SSAA member with hunting recorded as an activity on their membership will be able to use participation in a SPC Program activity as a hunting attendance. 6

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