Mornington Peninsula council to vote on fate of kangaroos and wallabies at The Briars, Mt Martha

Kangaroo and wallaby populations at a Mornington Peninsula wildlife sanctuary has exploded, leaving the local council with a life-and-death decision.

Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh (left) and deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro at The Briars in Mt Martha ahead of a council vote on how to manage at risk kangaroos and wallabies in the animal sanctuary. Picture: Lucy Callander

The fate of 150 kangaroos and wallabies living on a Mornington Peninsula animal sanctuary will be decided by the local council next week.

An urgent meeting has been called by Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh to allow councillors to vote on the best course of action after a number of macropods died at The Briars, Mt Martha.

The Herald Sun understands the size of the population is now too large for the reserve’s animal sanctuary leading to deaths from starvation.

A council source said three options were being considered with the preferred choice being desexing some of the population and bringing in feed to prevent further deaths.

Other cheaper alternatives included culling female adult kangaroos and wallabies and joeys or an indiscriminate cull of the mobs, but these have not been recommended by shire officers.

The meeting will be live streamed for the public from 5pm Tuesday.

Female adult kangaroos and their joeys could be at threat of a cull on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: supplied

Mr Marsh said he called the unscheduled meeting when it became clear the shire “did not have consensus to move forward quickly on the officer’s recommendation

which was to avoid a cull”.

“Council has a clear responsibility to ensure the humane treatment of animals in our care,” Mr Marsh said.

He thanked deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro and councillors Andrea Allen, Cam Williams, Stephen Batty and Bruce Ranken for their “strong advocacy and support in ensuring this critical issue was brought promptly to council”.

An adult wallaby feeding during the day at The Briars, Mt Martha. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mr Pingiaro said he was committed to the humane treatment and welfare of animals, especially those under the council’s care.

“It is important that this matter is resolved without delay, as any further postponement risks animal welfare and I firmly believe this does not align with community expectations,” he said.

“I will continue to advocate for a compassionate and responsible outcome that protects the lives of these animals.”

When the Herald Sun visited The Briars on Friday morning there were two large wallabies in grazing not far from a wetlands walking path.

Typically macropods are most active during twilight hours, feeding at dawn and dusk.

They spend the rest of their time resting in shady areas.