Fifteen nature reserves across the ACT will be closed operations for the ACT's annual Kangaroo Management Program from 9 June until 31 July 2026.
ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna, Bren Burkevics said these closures are for the public's safety while the ACT Government conducts operations to manage and protect the ACT's threatened grasslands and grassy woodlands from overgrazing by kangaroos, and in some instances wallabies.
"The Kangaroo Management Program is conducted annually to help protect, conserve and enhance the ACT's native grasslands which are critically endangered," Mr Burkevics said.
"The ACT is home to some of the best quality natural temperate grassland in Australia, and it's important that we protect them from the impacts and pressures of overgrazing. Without intervention, we could lose these vital ecosystems.
"Concerningly, the percentage of monitoring polygons within reserves that have grass heights below the target range of 5 to 12 centimetres has jumped to 72 per cent, a significant increase from 44 per cent in the previous year.
"Managing kangaroo grazing is important so these ecosystems can provide suitable habitat conditions for a wide range of native plant and animal species, including vulnerable and threatened species.
"This program is just one part of a suite of land management activities that also includes prescribed burning, invasive pests and animal control, invasive plant control, and restoration activities that all work together to care for the ACT's native grassy ecosystems.
"With deer being increasingly reported in the ecologically sensitive areas of Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura, these will be removed if sighted during the program.
"To further strengthen the openness and transparency of the Kangaroo Management Program, the Conservation Advice that describes the monitoring results and management recommendation is being made available at the start of the program rather than at the end.
"The GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine has also continued for the fifth year as part of the Kangaroo Management Program. Results from this method of kangaroo management continue to be positive and we anticipate it will help reduce the number of kangaroos that need to be humanely culled in the future.
"As always, we understand that these reserve closures can be disruptive and we thank the community for their patience and cooperation over this period," Mr Burkevics said.
Leading scientists and land managers with decades of experience in ecology, land management, and kangaroo management have calculated an operational target of 3,633 kangaroos to be removed across 15 priority ACT reserves, and the Googong Nature Reserves in NSW in 2026.
The following reserves will be formally closed under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 from Tuesday 9 June to Friday 31 July 2026 each week from 6pm to 6am from Sunday to Thursday, and will remain open over the weekends from Friday morning to Sunday evening.
- Callum Brae Nature Reserve
- Crace Grasslands Nature Reserve
- Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve
- Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve
- Gungaderra Grasslands Nature Reserve
- Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve
- Jerrabomberra East Grasslands Nature Reserve
- Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve
- Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve
- Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve
- Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary
- Mount Majura Nature Reserve
- Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve
- Red Hill Nature Reserve
- The Pinnacle Nature Reserve
Entrances to reserves and adjoining land will be clearly signposted with closure dates and times.
No additional closures are required at the Googong Nature Reserve noting operations will be undertaken during normal closing hours.
Entering a closed reserve is an offence under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Members of the public should follow any guidance or direction given by Conservation Officers working on the reserves.
Reserve closures and comprehensive information about kangaroo management is available on the Eastern Grey Kangaroo webpage of the ACT Government website.
