SSAA Victoria recently provided extensive feedback to the Victorian Government on the draft implementation guide for Victoria’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan (SHAP).
SHAP is a $5.3m initiative to deliver programs to grow and promote safe and responsible hunting. SSAA Victoria supports the SHAP and recognises the significant contribution it will make to advancing the interests of hunting and hunters in Victoria.
The implementation guide for SHAP is where the rubber hits the road. The draft guide that SSAA Victoria have seen explains which department will be responsible for each action and the final delivery dates. However, it fails to detail how each action will be completed, what the budgets will be, and how progress will be judged on an ongoing basis. By tracking progress and budgets more regularly, problems can be addressed while there is still a chance to rectify them. SSAA Victoria wants to be able to come out at the conclusion of the SHAP in a little over three years and hail it as a massive success. SSAA Victoria need to have the tools and confidence to keep the SHAP on track throughout implementation to be able to do that.
Whilst the association welcomes increased consultation and an uptick in accountability, the level of detail have received to date has not been sufficient to determine, let alone report, that the SHAP is on the right track.
SSAA Victoria will continue to work with the Victorian Government to ensure that the SHAP delivers the maximum benefit for hunting and hunters.
