Torquay development blamed for lost roos

LOCAL advocates have called for greater protection of Torquay kangaroos as the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975 comes under review for the first time in 45 years.

The Act sets out rules on how people can interact with Victorian wildlife with Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announcing an independent review in May 2020.

In response, the Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch said there has been too much focus on hunting and removing wildlife and not enough emphasis on preserving biodiversity and habitat.

Public submissions have now closed, however Surf Coast Branch member John Foss said he hopes changes will be made for the protection of local kangaroos.

“What we are seeing, particularly in Torquay, there is a lack of wildlife corridors and we have a large kangaroo population,” he said.

“Development has encroached on areas where kangaroos called home, they have been pushed off their traditional land and are now congregating in vacant lots and odd creek beds.

“Basically, a whole lot of kangaroos have been pushed off their land in the last 10 years and they’re at risk.

“The main reason I say that is because we are seeing a lot more native animals particularly kangaroos being hit by cars in and around Torquay and Jan Juc.”

Mr Foss said the branch was advocating for town boundaries and to prevent development in areas like Spring Creek, Karraf wetlands and northwest of the Torquay boundary in order to protect the known habitats of the kangaroos.

“They are either being pushed out or surrounded by houses,” he said.

“There is a large mob around the industrial estate, and they are running out of places to go.”

The branch believes that more can be done at a local level through the Surf Coast Shire implementing appropriate protection including the wildlife corridors so animals can more freely and safely.

“There is not enough attention given to wildlife reserves,” he said.

“Stopping development in native areas is a good one.

“Spring Creek is home to kangaroos, wedge tailed eagles and wallabies, any development there will totally destroy their habitat.”

The Labor government has already begun to embark on options to keep the kangaroo population safe in the region with $165,000 allocated in the 2021-2022 Sate Budget to run a virtual fencing trial on a stretch of Forest Road near Anglesea.

Activated by headlights, the fence emits noises and light stimuli that alerts animals to oncoming traffic.

Jason Cichocki from Surfcoast Wildlife Rescue had been gathering data on macropod/vehicle collisions on the Surf Coast for the past three years, leading to the trial.

“The data we have collected has tragically proven that Forest Road (in) Anglesea alone sees the largest annual loss of kangaroo and wallaby lives in the entire region, with upwards of 200 to 250 kangaroos and wallabies killed, injured and orphaned each and every year,” he said.

Under the review process, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will publish an engagement summary in September before delivering a final report in late 2021.