Yarra Ranges Council has again written to the Minister for the Environment and Minister for Outdoor Recreation to express concern and disappointment that the region remains included in Victoria's Commercial Kangaroo Harvesting Program.
In April, Councillors voted to support a motion, asking the State Government to exclude the area from the program. Yarra Ranges is the only metropolitan Council within the harvest zone and many community members have petitioned for the area to be excluded.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said Council's letter, sent earlier this month, notes that community members feel unheard and disillusioned with the State Government.
"While the Kangaroo Harvesting Program is intended to mitigate the impact of kangaroos on farmland, many community members feel the approach is inhumane and unsustainable," Cr Higgins said.
"There are also concerns about how accurate the State Government's kangaroo population data is, relying on aerial surveys.
"People come to the Yarra Ranges to see the nature and the wildlife, and while we understand the importance of mitigating their impact, we remain opposed to being part of the Kangaroo Harvesting Program.
"We believe that alternate strategies should be explored that prioritise conservation, community values and ethical wildlife management."
Cr Higgins said the State Government's response to Council's April motion was disappointing.
"Following our passing of a motion, to ask the State Government to exclude us from the harvest program, the response from the State was, essentially, "no."," he said.
"This is incredibly disappointing, in the face of multiple letters to the State Government, and we feel the response ignores community sentiment and reason.
"The Mornington Peninsula area was successfully excluded from the program in 2021, following community backlash, and we feel the same consideration should be taken here.
"Meanwhile, we have received a petition at Council, calling for more meaningful action to reduce the wildlife road toll. We have passed this on to the State Government and feel action in this space would help protect animals, protect road users and be a far better use of the State Government's resources."
