Controlled shooting proposed to deal with growing wild deer problem in Raymond Terrace

The residents living in Beaton Avenue, Henning Road and surrounds say their concerns have increased with the growing population of deer roaming the streets at night and have welcomed news of a humane culling of the wild animals.

It is now expected that the decades-long issue, which has engaged government and community agencies including Port Stephens Council, Hunter Water, Local Land Services, RSPCA and NSW Police, could be solved by a means of controlled shooting.

Rowan Evans, who has lived in the Raymond Terrace area for many years, said that residents first petitioned Port Stephens Council about the problem of wild deer in 2013.

"It has been an ongoing issue for years ... our main concern is the risk to motorists after dark. The deer roam around the streets in groups of four or five and I have heard plenty of stories of near misses late at night," Mr Evans said.

"You don't tend to see them during daylight hours but I have seen footprints and droppings. We don't want to see a tragic accident."

Last month Port Stephens Council letter-box dropped landowners in the area reminding them of their responsibility in preventing and eliminating risks posed by pest animals.

"With the increased public encounters and concern about deer in the neighbourhood, council are in a position where action is needed to control the increasing deer population. At this stage controlled shooting is considered to be the most effective and humane method in reducing their numbers," the letter, which the Examiner has seen, read.

The council's strategy and environment manager Brock Lamont said that the council had been receiving an increasing number of complaints and reports of road strike and near misses from the community.

"The controlled shooting operation requires extensive planning and risk management including traffic management and a complete safety plan. This would be managed by a qualified contractor in consultation with the NSW Police and the council," he said. "Deer would be removed with meat donated to local zoos to feed animals."

He said that council had engaged with the community in the immediate vicinity to seek feedback and would continue to liaise with Hunter Water - who own part of the land on which the deer frequent - and a decision would be made on the next steps.

"If the deer control proceeds, we would expect it to occur prior to Christmas over two nights."

Mr Lamont said the council was unsure of the numbers and where the deer originated from.

"If residents see a deer we advise them to move away and we ask they contact council to report the sighting. Residents are advised not to approach the animals."

A Hunter Water spokesperson said that its top priority was safety and it supported Port Stephens Council's initiative to manage increasing deer numbers and decrease the risk to members of the public from encountering deer on local roads.

"As part of the program, council and Hunter Water have collaborated with the RSPCA, NSW Police, Local Land Services and the consultant engaged for the control program and all parties recognise the need for an effective and humane way to control deer numbers. Members of the public should be advised it is an offence to trespass on Hunter Water-owned land and fines can be imposed for doing so."

For further information or anyone with queries should contact the council on (02) 4988 0255.

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