We have 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. This has been undertaken under the guidance of qualified ecologists, and has now been achieved.

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 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.

We have installed fencing in and around the site to ensure the kangaroos are safely and progressively encouraged off the site towards the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road. This has been undertaken under the guidance of qualified ecologists and in accordance with the KMP, and has now been achieved.

There was a gap in the temporary fencing along Cotters Rd to allow the kangaroos to move further to the west where there are multiple permanent water sources, including Edgars Creek. Now that all kangaroos have left the site, this gap has been closed to ensure the kangaroos do not return to the area.

To help protect the kangaroos as they passed from the development site to the west, two VMS signs were 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 we implement actions outlined in our Kangaroo Management Plan.

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 is now complete and all kangaroos have now moved away from the Edgars Rd site towards a more suitable site to the west.

Regular inspections will be carried out by qualified ecologists to ensure the welfare of the kangaroos is managed in accordance with best practice.

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 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.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 2023 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 allowed us to encourage the kangaroos to the undeveloped land to the west of Edgars Road, with minimal stress to the kangaroos. This has now been achieved.

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 settle into the new area.

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.