By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council looks set to consider their forming an official stance on commercial kangaroo harvesting in the region going forward after a question at the Tuesday 25 July Council meeting.
The discussion arises in the wake of Wildlife Victoria reporting a drastic increase in gunshot wounds in the native species since the start of the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (KHMP) in 2019 and with other Victorian Councils advocating to be removed from the plan.
Woori Yallock resident and former President of the Australian Wildlife Protection Council Peter Preuss attended the meeting and asked if Council are prepared to reject the commercial exploitation of kangaroos in the municipality and to develop a kangaroo management plan that will reflect that position.
Manager of Design and Place at Yarra Ranges Council Nathan Islip said Council appreciates Mr Preuss’ concern for kangaroos, given their inherent status as integral to the landscape and as a protected native species.
“Council are keenly aware of the pressures kangaroos face, including urban development, competition for habitat and feed sources from pest species such as deer,” he said.
“Council is currently developing a nature plan focused on protecting our biodiversity, which includes programmes for the protection of our native species, such as kangaroos.”
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council have each recently passed motions to advocate against commercial kangaroo shooting in their regions.
Speaking to the Star Mail last week on commercial kangaroo harvesting, Founder of the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance (VKA) Alyssa Wormald called on Yarra Ranges Council to do the same.
“Cruelty was just one factor that has recently motivated Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council to pass motions to advocate against commercial kangaroo shooting in their regions. Other issues include sustainability, human health and safety, and impact on tourism and amenity,” she said.
“Whilst councils don’t control wildlife policy, they have a powerful platform to advocate for the safety of their residents and wildlife. They can show progressive leadership by rejecting cruel and dangerous wildlife trade operations and, instead, focus on developing strategies for coexistence and ecotourism. “
Between the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) and the Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system, the Central region (in which the Yarra Ranges resides) was given a maximum commercial kangaroo harvesting quota of 65,100 from a total of 166,750 slated statewide in 2023, down from 2022 and 2021.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said he thinks that Mr Preuss has raised an important concern for the Council to consider.
“I’m aware of the debate that they had (Mount Alexander Shire Council) and how close it was as well, you look at the rural area, it’s a very serious discussion that they had,” he said.
“I’m probably foreshadowing, Mr Islip, that we make this an item for an upcoming forum so we can gather more evidence in regards to the matters that Peter has raised with us, so we can look more closely at taking more affirmative action.”
The quota for commercial kangaroo harvesting each year is based on the recommendation of the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) that no more than 10 per cent of Victoria’s kangaroo population be harvested each year. Since the inception of the (KHMP), an average of about 6 per cent has been taken each year with a population estimate garnered each year from a survey conducted once every two years by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The most recent estimate from the 2022 survey predicted a population of 2,418,000.
Speaking to the Star Mail on Wednesday 26 July after hearing what Yarra Ranges Council had to say, Mr Preuss said he felt that they were very responsive and really keen to get this underway.
“I think the Yarra Ranges Council is in a really good position to lead the way here because it’s not been yet a controversial issue, we have plenty of kangaroos and people come here to see wildlife, but the issues being faced in some of the other shires within our own zone haven’t hit us yet,” he said.
“I got a very positive feeling from the councillors, we’ve already got a couple of other councils taking a stand and then if we join them, hopefully, all the councils will come together and say that these kangaroos are far better alive than turning to pet food.”
