New pest control management courses introduced in Gunnedah

Jon Martin is well-versed in firearm safety and use of force instruction but a new training course in Gunnedah is fresh territory for him.

The government employee is looking to switch gears as he nears retirement and transition into a new but familiar line of work – pest management services.

Mr Martin, who is based in Adelaide, has been an avid recreational shooter for most of his life.

It is a hobby he hopes to develop into a new career with the backing of extensive firearms experience.

“Most of my government work has also been involved in firearms and use of force training,” Mr Martin said.

“They are related industries.

“I have some complementary skills to take what I already know into a different work space, pest management.

“I’ve already registered my business and looking to partner with a colleague who has a similar background to me but in different agencies.

“I’m getting into this from a mutual sporting intertest perspective and professionalising it.”

One of the first steps in that process was taking part in a new course held in Gunnedah by Crack Thump Australia and PVO Training.

The course offers operations and nationally accredited training in invasive and feral pest management for industrial, commercial and rural locations.

“This course is highly focused on hazard identification, risk assessment and risk mitigation,” he said.

“Also the legislative processes that are associated with firearms in populous places, so it’s totally greenfield for me.

“My perspective is from a recreational hunter and law enforcement use of force, which is totally unrelated to pest control in the civilian and manufacturing environment.

“It’s been a huge eye opener.”

As manager of a team with a national remit, Mr Martin’s government role currently involves lot of desk work behind the computer. So the opportunity to use his experience for a new purpose is both an exciting and fulfilling prospect.

“I think [pest management] is socially beneficial but to do it in an ethical way and with a deep background in safety and training,” he said.

“Being a government employee, I understand the sensitivities of public concerns, the perspective of those who feel strongly about the rights of an animal to live.

“But if this task needs to be done, I’m pleased I’m the person doing it, bringing an understanding of all those points of view.”

As Martin transitions into the pest management field, he envisions demand for those services will continue to increase.

“There’s plenty of work out there, there is also a significant decline in recreational hunters,” he said.

“South Australia, unlike Victoria and NSW, don’t have public lands for hunting. That has its own impost in terms of feral species breeding up.

“So relying on recreational shooters to assist with pest control issues is not really available in those areas.

“I think the demand is high and it’s only going to increase with the decline in recreational hunting.”

Course co-coordinator Greg Sams said the event was very successful.

“There has been a lot of interest about ongoing courses to be conducted in Gunnedah,” he said.

“We hope to have more soon.”

Jon Martin from South Australia was one of several course participants in Gunnedah.