The National Feral Pig Action Plan
Integrated Feral Pig Management: Adaptive and Collaborative Action
2025 National Feral Pig Conference
The National Feral Pig Action Plan 2021-2031 aims to deliver long term active suppression of feral pig populations to reduce their extensive impacts across 45% of Australia’s land mass.
The 2025 National Feral Pig Conference is the ideal opportunity for land managers, community groups, jurisdictions, NRM organisations and research agencies to come together to:
- share how different management approaches are being used to control feral pig populations, and lessons learned
- demonstrate benefits flowing from working in coordinated and collaborative ways
- learn from others on how land managers are being supported to participate in local, community-led management activities
- discover how insights from routine monitoring and new and existing technologies can optimise the success of feral pig management programs.
This national Conference will allow you to meet and network with others dealing with feral pig impacts, strengthen relationships, and gain insights that may increase the effectiveness and efficiency of feral pig management programs.
Dates: 24-26 March 2025
Venue: Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise, QLD
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Conference Program
The Conference Program is now available. Click button below to download the Conference program with full presentation details.
Conference program details will be updated as the speakers confirm titles of their presentations. Please note this program may be subject to change.
Conference Summary
Registration
The conference will be in a hybrid format to allow in person and virtual attendance.
Registration options are below.
Cost $350
Inclusions:
- Attendance to all conference sessions over 2 days
- Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea on conference days (Tuesday 20- Wednesday 21 June)
- Access to trade exhibition
- Conference dinner at ‘The Backyard’ Restaurant, Tuesday night, 20 June (included in Full Registration)
- The dress code for the Conference and Conference dinner is smart/business casual.
Cost $75
Inclusions:
- Livestream of all sessions
- Ability to contribute questions live to speakers.
Invited speakers
Our conference theme, Integrated best practice management: adaptive and collaborative management, will be addressed through seven informative sessions.
Our invited high-calibre and diverse range of guest speakers include
Understanding the feral pig
Dr Peter Caley, CSIRO
Peter Caley is a CSIRO research scientist with a strong research record of applying quantitative methods to address contemporary problems in the environmental, agricultural and health sciences. This has included pioneering work on the ecology of wild pigs in the Northern Territory, elucidating the role of wildlife in disease epidemiology in Australia, New Zealand and North America, and providing reliable inference for invasion risk analysis and pest eradication programs. Peter has an ongoing research interest in evaluating the effectiveness of citizen surveillance for vertebrate pests and understanding the dynamics of animal populations.
Getting the basics right - effective monitoring and management
Bren Fuller, Whitsunday Regional Council
Bren started his involvement in feral animal control in the mid-1990’s in Arnhem land and Gove in the Northern territory. In 2006, Bren moved back to the Whitsundays to take up a role with the Whitsunday Regional Council as a Land Protection Officer with a focus on feral animal control and weed management. Over the last 17 years, Bren has assisted the Whitsunday Council to develop a dedicated Feral Animal Control Program with aerial shooting being added in 2012. Bren is also a keen recreational shooter and is a member of the Bowen SSAA Club.
Biosecurity, emergency animal disease (EAD) and feral pigs
Richard Bradhurst, Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, University of Melbourne
Dr Richard Bradhurst is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, a Chief Investigator at the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA), and recipient of the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Award for Science and Innovation. Richard works closely with veterinary epidemiologists and animal health specialists from over 20 countries developing the Australian Animal Disease Spread model (AADIS) (www.aadis.org.au) and the European Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Model (EuFMDiS). These models assist in planning and preparedness for emergency animal diseases by simulating incursion, spread, detection, control, and proof-of-freedom.
Bec Gray, Local Land Services (LLS), NSW
Bec Gray is a Senior Project and Programs Officer in the Foot and Mouth Disease Program at Local Land Services. She has been with the organization for over 10 years and has a wealth of experience in pest control and biosecurity. She is passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring that NSW is a safe and healthy place to live. Bec Gray is a valuable asset to Local Land Services and her work is making a real difference in the fight against invasive species. She is a dedicated and experienced professional who is passionate about protecting the environment.
Dr Allison Crook, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Allison was raised on a beef and grain property near Warwick in Queensland.
After working in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector for 9.5 years, Allison joined the (then) Department of Primary Industries in Toowoomba as a Senior Veterinary Officer in May 1997. She has worked in a range of areas, including disease investigation and national residue programs, and co-ordinated a team of policy officers working in the animal biosecurity, animal welfare and ethics.
Allison was appointed to the role of General Manager, Animal Biosecurity and Welfare for Biosecurity Queensland within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in 2014. In this role, she holds responsibility as the Chief Veterinary Officer for Queensland.
She has extensive experience in management of emergency animal diseases, including the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001, the successful equine influenza eradication response in 2007 –2008, multiple Hendra virus incidents, the white spot disease response in Queensland (2016-17) and the Japanese encephalitis response (2022).
Managing to mitigate impacts and threats
Kurt Vercauteren, United States Department of Agriculture
Kurt VerCauteren is a Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist with the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture. His work focuses on addressing human-wildlife conflict and the management of damage and disease. Primary species he works with include wild pigs, deer and elk. Much of his work is conducted at the interface of wildlife and livestock.
Sheriden Morris, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre
Under Sheriden’s leadership (since 2006), the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) has conceived, managed and delivered more than $350 million-worth of environmental research and development programs in northern Australia. In addition, she also chairs the CRC for Developing Northern Australia and Citizens of the GBR. Sheriden has designed and driven the National Environmental Science Program to deliver science solutions for the tropics through managing multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, large-scale environmental research and monitoring programs over the last 18 years. As an extensive contributor to land and sea management policy, she has also spearheaded the development and implementation of an innovative aid development program on Australia’s northern borderlands with Papua New Guinea. These Programs are delivered in a culturally appropriate form to meet the needs of industry, government, non-government agencies, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders.
Sheriden’s unusual scientific background and work history means she has always been a champion of disruptive ideas. The RRRC notoriously goes where established scientific institutions often fear to tread, using novel ideas, approaches and tools to find solutions to problems that were previously considered intractable. The problem of serious starfish outbreaks on the GBR was one example – for decades there had been controversy over whether control efforts were effective, and the scale at which management had to occur seemed overwhelming. Here the capacity to assemble appropriate teams of scientists, acquire research funding, and drive the research and implementation programs has resulted in a scientifically rigorous demonstration that IPM-informed starfish control is working to saving live coral and building resilience across the Reef. Sheriden won the 2023 Banksia Prize for Biodiversity for this body of work and was also a finalist at the 2022 Eureka Prizes in the Applied Environmental Research category.
Indigenous-led programs - leading by example
Brenton Cardona, Aboriginal Sea Company
Brenton Cardona born and breed in Darwin from multicultural family. Grand-Mother side Iwadjia Muran Clan/ Mabuiag, Torres Strait, Wagedagam Clan. Grand-Father side Malak Malak/ Kungarakan.
Originally from a commercial fishing family Brenton started learning at a young age from his father and uncle in commercial Barramundi, Mud Crab and Coastal line fishing. Brenton is also complemented with over 20 years experience in Indigenous education training and development. Spent 10 years in Northern Territory government at the NT Fisheries as a fishing mentor, training coordinator, ranger coordinator, resource management and communications.
My focus area that I value the most in my work is to share the knowledge I have gained to assist growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in communities to create viable economic growth and development as it would give true meaning and value to self-determination for communities and individuals. I have always been committed to achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander and non ATSI peoples.
Dion Creek and Vince Harrigan, Feraliser
Dion Creek is the founder of Kalan Enterprises, a successful Traditional Owner business on Cape York Peninsula conducting land management activities, civil works and other fee for service activities. Dion is the co-chair of Feraliser, CEO of Cape York Land Council and Chair of the Northern Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Mangement Alliance. Vince Harrigan is the chair of Normanby Aboriginal Corporation and on the Feraliser board and Justin Perry is the research manager at NAILSMA and co-chair of Feraliser.
Economic Opportunities and Challenges
Dr Ryan Wilson, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Dr Ryan Wilson leads the Nature Repair Market team in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Prior to this Ryan led the development of the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package, trialling ways to establish a biodiversity market for private landholders. Ryan has held international and domestic policy roles for a number of years in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He represented Australia and supported our global engagement on agriculture and food security, through the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the G20, OECD and APEC. In domestic policy Ryan has contributed to food and agriculture industry policy as well as plant health policy and programs with Australian industry sectors. Ryan’s volunteering roles have included mentoring and chairing of two not-for-profit boards.
Valerie Hagger, University of Queensland
Valerie’s research focusses on coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration. She holds an AXA-UNESCO research fellowship on mangrove community forestry for resilient coastal livelihoods, endorsed as an action of the UN Ocean Decade. She co-leads a National Environmental Science Program (NESP) project on carbon abatement and biodiversity enhancements from controlling feral ungulates in wetlands in Australia and is developing a framework to measure verified biodiversity benefits in coastal wetland restoration projects in partnership with CSIRO. She recently led a NESP project on coastal wetland restoration opportunities in Australia for blue carbon and co-benefits and an Australian Research Council linkage project to identify social and ecological conditions that enable effective mangrove conservation over global and regional scales with partners at The Nature Conservancy and Healthy Land and Water. She has published research on the drivers of global mangrove losses and gains and coastal wetland restoration opportunities. She has co-authored international guidelines on mangrove restoration and incorporation of coastal wetlands into national greenhouse gas inventories. Valerie is an experienced ecologist and is a board member of the Society of Ecological Restoration Australasia and a representative of Australia’s Restoration Decade Alliance.
Celebrating success, embracing failure- empowering coordinated and collaborative community action
Darren Marshall, South Queensland Landscapes
Darren Marshall is a specialist in engaging people in effective, coordinated pest animal control and landscape scale environmental management. Darren is currently the Lead of the Vertebrate Pest and Wildlife Management team with Southern Queensland Landscapes. He is completing a PhD, testing different engagement strategies, using biophysical research as a vehicle to motivate land managers to take collective action to address the feral pig issue in Australia. This study is part of a collaboration with the University of New England and Penn State University (USA). Darren’s interests lie in improving environmental management through working with land managers to tackle issues that can only be addressed at a landscape scale, particularly linking good research and effective local engagement with on-ground outcomes.
Matt Korcz, PIRSA
Matt Korcz is the Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Control Coordinator for The Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). He received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science from Adelaide University. In his current role he coordinates the Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication working with project partners, stakeholders and the local community to ensure the eradications success.
Sponsors and exhibitors
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for our 2025 National Feral Pig Conference.
The 2025 National Feral Pig Conference offers different levels of sponsorship.
We will ensure that all sponsors, trade exhibitors and delegates have many opportunities to meet and exchange ideas and information. We are committed to ensuring that all who attend the conference receive excellent return on their investment, whether that is professional learning, opportunities to develop your career or promotion of your products and resources.
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Exhibitors
Supporters
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Abstract submission- Coming soon
Abstracts are not yet open for the 2025 National Feral Pig Conference.
Keep an eye out for abstract submission details in the near future.
The 2025 National Feral Pig Conference is an ideal way for all land managers dealing with feral pigs to share details of management programs, assets being protected, technologies being used to reduce populations and/or monitor feral pig impacts, and successes, challenges and key learnings.
New insights will be shared from feral pig research programs including exploring management approaches, ecology and behaviour, impact and population monitoring, and community engagement.
All of this and more.
- Online submission is the only method of abstract submission.
- Abstracts submitted for presentation will be published as received and should be checked for spelling and grammar prior to submission.
- Use the abstract template provided to fill out all relevant sections.
- These details can be pasted into the online form in the submission portal as well as uploaded as a .docx file.
- Please fill out all sections
- You must accept/acknowledge all terms and conditions before submission.
- All abstracts will receive an abstract number in a follow up email which should be used in any future correspondence.
- All correspondence will be sent to the person who submitted the abstract.
Details to provide:
- A clear and concise title (maximum 30 words)
- Include name and affiliation details of all authors
- Abstract (maximum 400 words)
- Provide a short biography of the presenter(s) / author(s) (maximum 100 words)
Abstract submissions have closed for 10 minute oral presentations and 5 minute speed talks.
Oral presentation – 10 minutes
A unique opportunity for you to promote or highlight your feral pig management program, outcomes and projects.
Podium style presentations will be 10 minutes in length, with Q&A after each grouping of speakers. Full audio-visual systems will be available.
Speed talks – 5 minutes
You get 5-minutes to convey your project/success story to the audience. These will be strictly timed.
Speed presenters will provide 1 PowerPoint slide to aid their 5-minute presentation.
Poster presentation-
If you would like to present your work as a poster submission, we would love to see it! A limited number of posters will be allocated a dedicated space at the venue for the duration of the event.
Posters can be printed at Officeworks and other businesses.
Officeworks Cairns (only a short walk <2km from Conference venue) – 1/15 Water St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Presentation formats:
- PowerPoint format to be widescreen (16:9)
- Posters should be portrait in size A0 (841mm x 1189mm final size)
Accepted presenters must register and pay for the full registration by 7 days after notification of presentation, or their presentation will be removed from the program.
All presentations will be recorded.
Recordings and abstracts will be made available to delegates and online post conference via the NFPAP website
Presentation slides will be requested in advance, with further details to be provided closer to the event.
The Conference Program Committee (CPC) reserves the right to allocate the presentation to best suit the program.
The invitation to submit an abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation or registration costs associated with the Conference.
No presenter fee is paid to successful presenters.
Conference location and venue information
The National Feral Pig Conference 2025 will be held on 24-26 March 2025 at the Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
Getting there:
Mantra on View Hotel is positioned right in the heart of Surfers Paradise just 500m from the beach. Surfers Paradise is only a 50-minute drive from Brisbane, Queensland’s Capital City and just 20 minutes from Gold Coast Airport.
There are a number of transport options from the Gold Coast airport including:
- Buses, trains and trams (cheapest)
- Airport transfers
- Taxi and ride sharing
- Car hire
For more information on transport options, visit https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/parking-transport/transport
Note for public transport:
All public transport services in South East Queensland, only accept pre-paid tickets. So before you travel you will need to buy a go card (where you pay for each trip) or go explore card (unlimited daily travel). These are sold at the Gold Coast Arrival terminal or you can find go card retailers on the Translink website.
Map of conference venue
- There are a number of accommodation options in Cairns; a list can be found here.
- Please note, demand for accommodation in Cairns may be tight due to the Ironman competition being held on 17-18 June.
Acknowledgement of Country
The National Feral Pig Action Plan acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional Aboriginal people whose Country lies within the City of Gold Coast area, the Yugambeh people, and we acknowledge all their descendants. We also acknowledge the many Aboriginal people from other regions as well as Torres Strait and South Sea Islander people who now live in the local area and have made an important contribution to the community.