Georgia Tacey
Kangaroos are becoming more prevalent along Sunbury Road, prompting residents to call for action to be taken.
During public question time at Hume council’s May 12 meeting, a Sunbury resident asked council what could be done in regards to the amount of kangaroos along Sunbury Road.
The resident said they were a daily traveller along Sunbury Road to the airport, and had seen a number of kangaroos near the airport, outside the containment fencing designed to keep them away from the road.
They also said they had witnessed multiple kangaroos being hit in the mornings through Bulla.
The resident asked council what could be done to keep the kangaroos contained, and whether council could inspect the containment fencing along Sunbury Road towards the airport for any potential holes or gaps that is allowing them to escape.
Council customer and strategy director Hector Gaston responded to the question.
“Wildlife road strike poses a significant concern in Victoria with adverse effects on road safety, community wellbeing, animal welfare and biodiversity,” he said.
“In Hume City, an area experiencing urban expansion within critically endangered grassland ecosystems, incidents of wildlife road strike are rapidly increasing, particularly involving eastern grey kangaroos.”
Mr Gaston said council faces several challenges in addressing the issue, including unclear land management responsibilities, rapid urbanisation, data fragmentation and over reliance on underfunded volunteer networks.
“This systemic issue necessitates a co-ordinated, well-resourced, state-led proactive approach,” Mr Gaston said.
“Council will shortly consider this issue in its response to the State Inquiry into Wildlife Roadstrike in Victoria.”
The inquiry, led by the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee will investigate the current legislative and regulatory frameworks that exist and examine their current application and enforcement.
Committee chair George Purcell said there is a need for new measures to protect wildlife due to the increased overlap of urban and natural environments.
“The rapid destruction of their habitat is moving them closer to areas that are populated, and in Victoria they are hit by vehicles at alarming rates,” she said.
“Part of the reason for this inquiry is because there is no set reporting on incidents of road strikes.”
The inquiry is currently accepting public submissions until May 30. You can make a submission at parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/WildlifeRoadstrike/submissions/
