Stand-off over kangaroos on Lilydale housing estate
A planned night kill of kangaroos living at a new housing estate - once home to Dame Nellie Melba’s family - was aborted as residents made a last-ditch bid to save the much-loved mob. But is it too late to save the native animals?
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A stand-off is continuing over a shoot-to-kill order on a mob of kangaroos on a new estate on Melbourne’s eastern fringe.
A housing developer, animal welfare advocates and families hope to save the roos which occupy land on Intrapac’s Kinley housing development at Lilydale.
The 28 roos, including at least two joeys, live on the former Lilydale quarry site, once the home of Dame Nellie Melba’s family.
Efforts to save the animals and relocate them, revealed by the Herald Sun last month, have fallen on deaf ears at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning which says shooting is the only answer.
A vet and wildlife carers are on standby to tranquillise the animals and take them to either a shelter or safe location.
Nearby families are also pushing to save the roos who are much loved by neighbourhood children.
Indigenous elder and researcher Janet Turpie-Johnstone, who is on the board of the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, was concerned at the government’s attitude and the lack of real knowledge by DELWP.
“The thing is our state has been built on the massacre of animals.
“Nothing has changed in 190 years. So do 30 roos matter? Yes, they do. It has to be a mindset change and we have to think about our we treat our native animals when we need to develop land.’’
Intrapac boss Max Shifman has said he has been trying to work with DELWP to find an alternative to shooting the roos, ever since work on the site began more than three years ago.
“We are still hopeful for approval to relocate the animals rather than kill them.’’
A planned night-time shoot was aborted last week as a reprieve was sought.
Queries to Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio were referred to the department.
The department is concerned of a precedent being set for the removal in roos in farming and rural areas where regular culls are approved.
“The Conservation Regulator is aware of community concerns around the permit, however it is satisfied that the authorisation is necessary for the site.’’ a spokeswoman said.
“Kangaroos when translocated by humans, suffer significant stress and have shown to experience high levels of mortality in some cases this has been greater than 40 per cent.’’
That figure is disputed by wildlife advocates who say transporting the roos can be done successfully while culling results in 100 per cent mortality.
Reports that some roos had already been shot at Kinley were believed to have been gunshots at another location.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick helped to secure a temporary reprieve on the culling but said the roos should be saved.