Kangaroo Management Plan
Development Victoria is working closely with the City of Whittlesea, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Wildlife Victoria to help manage the presence of kangaroos near the recently opened section of Edgars Road.
The safety of the community and the wellbeing of local wildlife are key priorities for Development Victoria at this time and we are taking some immediate steps, as well as longer term action to help manage the situation.
All options are being considered to ensure the safety of the kangaroos and drivers in the area, as well as ensuring that local community are protected.
Development Victoria has installed temporary fencing which will help prevent the kangaroos from venturing onto the road.
We are also installing subsequent fencing to ensure the kangaroos are safely and progressively encouraged off the site towards the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road. This will be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified ecologist, and once all the relevant approvals have been secured.
To help manage the situation into the future, Development Victoria has developed a Kangaroo Management Plan (KMP) for the area, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the issue and recommendations for the future management of kangaroos near Edgars Road in Aurora. A copy of the KMP can be found below, together with Frequently Asked Questions about the issue and our planned response.
In accordance with expert advice, permanent yellow warning signs have been installed along Edgars Road, alerting drivers to the presence of kangaroos, and advising that they exercise caution while driving through the area. There are also signs along the road and on the staged fencing advising the public of our actions to keep the kangaroos safe, and what number to call if they become aware of injured wildlife. A copy of the sign can be found below.
Kangaroos near Edgars Road, Epping signage
Kangaroos at Edgars Road, Epping FAQs
Development Victoria is working closely with the City of Whittlesea, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Wildlife Victoria to help manage the presence of kangaroos near the recently opened section of Edgars Road in Epping.
The safety of the community and the wellbeing of local wildlife are key priorities for Development Victoria and a range of initiatives have been undertaken.
These include the installation of temporary fencing to prevent kangaroos from venturing onto the road and the installation of additional signs along Edgars Road. We have also installed staged fencing to ensure the kangaroos are safely and progressively encouraged off the site towards the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road (see map below). This will continue to be undertaken under the guidance of qualified ecologists, and in accordance with the Kangaroo Management Plan.
To help manage the situation now and into the future, Development Victoria has developed a Kangaroo Management Plan (KMP) for the area, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the issue and recommendations for managing the presence of kangaroos near the recently opened Edgars Rd.
We have installed temporary fencing along Edgars Rd to prevent kangaroos from venturing onto the road, helping to keep both the kangaroos and drivers safe.
Subsequent fencing is now being installed to ensure the kangaroos are safely and progressively encouraged off the site towards the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road. This continues to be undertaken under the guidance of qualified ecologists, and in accordance with the KMP.
There is a gap in the fencing along Cotters Rd to allow the kangaroos to move further to the west where there are multiple permanent water sources, including Edgars Creek.
To help protect the kangaroos as they pass through, two VMS signs have been installed on Cotters Rd (one facing north and one facing south) with the following messaging: CAUTION REDUCE SPEED / INCREASED KANGAROO ACTIVITY.
In accordance with expert advice,permanent yellow warning signs have been installed along Edgars Road, alerting drivers to the presence of kangaroos and advising that they exercise caution while driving through the area. There are also signs along the road advising drivers of a phone number to call if they become aware of injured wildlife.
Whittlesea Council, now the responsible authority for Edgars Road, has also reduced the speed limit along the road to 50km/hr in a further step to protect drivers, pedestrians, and the kangaroos.
We do not expect any direct impacts for residents or local businesses while the staged fencing takes place. There may be some temporary road closures in early 2024 as some elements of the KMP are implemented.
If a member of the public becomes aware of a kangaroo either within the fenced area, or an injured/distressed kangaroo in proximity to the site, we request that this is reported to Wildlife Victoria (contact information listed below), so that the kangaroo can be safely attended to by an expert.
- Wildlife Victoria – 1300 094 535
The staged fencing process has commenced and is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Over the coming months, drivers are encouraged to be aware that kangaroos may begin using new routes to navigate through the suburb, and to exercise additional caution on local roads.
This approach has been developed to encourage the kangaroos to the undeveloped area to the west of Edgars Road, which is a suitable natural habitat providing adequate food and water resources.
A Kangaroo Management Plan provides a comprehensive assessment of the issue and recommendations for the effective management of kangaroos near the recently opened Edgars Road.
Development Victoria has worked with Ecology and Heritage Partners to develop a Kangaroo Management Plan for the site to minimise risks to kangaroos, people and the environment. The plan is being considered by the Conservation Regulator at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). We have also installed new signage alerting drivers to the presence of kangaroos and fencing along Edgars Road.
We were first alerted to concerns about kangaroos on the new road in early August and acted quickly to install new signage, fencing along Edgars Road and prepare a KMP.
The wellbeing of these kangaroos is important, and the staged fencing approach will allow us to encourage the kangaroos to the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road, with minimal stress to the kangaroos.
Regular inspections will be carried out by qualified ecologists to ensure the welfare of the kangaroos is managed in accordance with best practice, as they are safely encouraged away from the current site towards a more suitable site to the west.
The welfare and safety of the local Eastern Grey Kangaroo population is a key priority. This Kangaroo Management Plan has been prepared to address the immediate issue of kangaroos near the recently opened Edgars Road. A subsequent Kangaroo Management Plan will be created to address the issue of kangaroos in the vicinity of our future development site/s in Aurora, including land to the west.
Download the Kangaroo Management Plan
Updated on 22 December 2023