State gov rejects Yarra Ranges council bid for commercial kangaroo shooting ban

The state government has rejected a council’s push to end commercial kangaroo shooting in its rural areas, with locals accusing it of going “against democracy”.

The state government has rejected a Melbourne’s council’s bid to end commercial kangaroo shooting in its rural areas in a move locals have slammed as undemocratic.

The Yarra Ranges Council voted unanimously to petition for the region to be removed from the state government kangaroo harvest program in April.

In a letter responding the council’s removal request, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) executive director Sara Harbidge said there was “no plans” to exclude the Yarra Ranges from the harvest program.

The Yarra Ranges council area will not be excluded from the commercial harvesting program. Picture: Dean Martin

“DEECA understands that there are diverse views and expectations in the community about kangaroo management and also understands that the control of native animals can be distressing for some people,” the letter reads.

“However, kangaroo populations can cause damage to property or farmland or adversely affect the environment.

“Kangaroos can also pose a threat to human safety, or where the species is over abundant, this may lead to animal welfare issues.”

A Victorian government spokesman said decision to change exclusion zone boundaries were not made at the request of local councils.

“Victoria takes a conservative approach when setting kangaroo control levels to no more than 10 per cent of the population each year, to ensure harvesting does not compromise the sustainability of kangaroo populations,” he said.

“Changes to harvest zones, including the adjustment of the exclusion zone boundary are not made at the request of local councils, but by consideration of local kangaroo population levels.”

A Yarra Ranges spokeswoman said the council was disappointed with the decision.

“We know that this decision will cause distress and concern among members of our community, particularly those who have voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of Yarra Ranges in the program,” she said.

“We share our community’s concerns about the implications of this decision as we recognise the unique environmental and cultural significance of our region and the importance kangaroos have in our municipality.”

The spokeswoman said the council was told DEECA analysis indicated a higher level of kangaroo harvesting activity in Yarra Ranges compared to neighbouring councils and cited that a reason for the region to remain in the harvest program.

Animal activist and Yarra Ranges resident Peter Pruess was disappointed by the decision. Picture: Dean Martin

Animal activist and Yarra Ranges resident Peter Pruess slammed the state government decision as “undemocratic”.

“They have thrown democracy out the window,” he said.

“Despite the state government’s massive drive to commercialise wildlife, the Yarra Ranges said no.

“That message was ignored by the government.”

Both Mr Pruess and the council urged the government to reconsider its decision.

“We remain concerned about the long-term impacts of this program on our local ecosystems and community values,” a council spokeswoman said.

“We will continue to advocate for transparency, community consultation, and the protection of our region’s unique biodiversity.

“We urge the government to reconsider its position and to engage meaningfully with our community on this issue.”

Thirty two Victorian council areas including the Mornington Peninsula, all of metropolitan Melbourne and French Island have previously been excluded from the commercial harvesting zones.