Farmers call for changes to Victoria’s Authority to Control Wildlife measures

Bendigo region farmer Bruce Bickford says kangaroo control measures need to be proactive rather than reactive. Here’s why.

An old Australian euphemism for being sent a bit loopy is having “a kangaroo loose in the top paddock.”

If that’s the case, spare a thought for the marsupial mayhem enveloping Bruce Bickford.

The Bendigo region farmer not only has kangaroos loose in his top paddock — they’re skipping through the middle of his property and bouncing through the bottom paddock fences too.

Mr Bickford said his exasperating example was a symptom of Victoria’s current kangaroo control measures not keeping up with changing conditions.

“The permits given are usually cover only 10 per cent, or if you’re lucky 20 per cent, of the kangaroo population causing the problem,” the Ravenswood South farmer said

“Simple maths shows this doesn’t keep up to breeding, let alone reduce numbers.”

Ravenswood farmer Bruce Bickford says kangaroos frequently damaged fences around the Bendigo region. Picture: Zoe Phillips

With kangaroo numbers growing exponentially statewide, Mr Bickford said there was a clear need to make Authority to Control Wildlife measures proactive rather than reactive.

“You can’t get a permit as a proactive measure, meaning you have to already have a kangaroo problem before you qualify for a permit.

“That’s okay, but when you complain that the permit number is too small, you’ll be told the permit system isn’t designed to reduce numbers, but rather to just maintain the population, or in other words, maintain the problem you’ve got.”

Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said the wider issue of kangaroo control was a matter for cabinet colleague, Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos.

However, she said she was aware of the impact of kangaroo numbers on drought-stricken pastures. “I’ve had discussions with farmers in the southwest who’ve got very little (grass) growth and the kangaroos are the first in there to eat anything before it can get an inch off the ground. So that’s quite a concern and I’ve raised that with Minister Dimopoulos and we’ll keep working to see what solutions can be found.”