A community rally against East Gippsland Water’s planned kangaroo cull drew a strong turnout in Bairnsdale last Wednesday, as a petition calling for non-lethal alternatives surpassed 5000 signatures.
An estimated 100 local residents dropped into the five-hour protest, which took place between 10am and 3pm to voice opposition to the upcoming wildlife management program.
East Gippsland Water currently holds a valid Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit, issued by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), to cull kangaroos across three of its operational facilities from May until the end of July.
The targeted infrastructure sites are located in Metung, Eagle Point/Forge Creek, and Kalimna.
Community advocates and local residents driving the petition argue that lethal culling near major residential and tourism hubs is unnecessary. Protesters are calling on the water corporation to abandon the cull in favour of non-lethal management options, such as upgrading exclusion fencing or pursuing wildlife relocation strategies.
However, water authorities routinely utilise the state government’s regulated ATCW program to mitigate critical safety and biosecurity risks.
The current DEECA permit allows the targeted management program to proceed at the three specified properties through to the July deadline.
