Roo cull standstill

THE Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has still not responded to a second request lodged two months ago by the Shire of Waroona seeking permission to shoot 100 western grey kangaroos that live in bush around Preston Beach Golf Club.

Club members claim the roos damage fairways and threaten golfers.

The council, which uses an appealing photo of a western grey joey on its website home page, first applied for a damage licence last July so it could cull the marsupials but the DEC responded by asking that non-lethal control methods be used.

Last week, the department said it would reach a decision later this month.

In February, 2007, the DEC gave the council permission to cull 50 kangaroos at the golf club, and in May that year, 42 were shot under controlled conditions and processed for pet food.

The DEC has suggested the council employ an environmental consultant to survey the kangaroo population and make recommendations for its control, erect a fauna fence to exclude kangaroos from the course, sedate and move the kangaroos, or install a noise barrier fence to deter them.

Waroona council was presented with a 299-signature petition at its November meeting, appealing for the kangaroos to be saved but the council was unmoved, saying just 34 of the signatures, or 18 per cent, were from Preston Beach electors.

What everyone else is thinking

Anita

08/05/2010

Country towns should embrace their natural environment but instead they feel the need to kill the innocent Aussie Icon.

If the kangaroos bother you - Move to the City!!!!

Golfers, it's not just about you. The kangaroos were there before you and the golf course. You are intruding on their vegetation.

I can not understand that the human feels the need to kill kangaroos when they are peaceful, loving creatures.

I am so lucky to have the kangaroos visit my property. It's heaven!

Mutual respect should be exercised and don't be surprised if they do attack you when you attack them - it's common sense.

Damage to my grass - non existent. Their pellets fertilise it! They keep the weeds intact too!!! The kangaroos and I have a great understanding. I water the grass and they do the rest!

The sun does more damage to the grass on very hot days - it burns into a crisp!

We need to preserve the Kangaroo!

Dianne

06/05/2010

my thoughts are the kangaroos should be left alone because they dont do no harm they just hop around from one place to another looking for food especially the females with their young they are the important ones because they need more food for their young so that their littlies can grow and servive and as far as the shooters are conserned please leave the roos alone how would you like if we all came and sot your family huh!!! think about that .

Jo McShane

02/03/2010

As a child, I was told that the genuine ' owners' of any place, are those who were there first. So between humans and kangeroos, who would that be ???
I read, if you put Tazzie Devil faeces around the perimeter of an area, then kangeroos would stay away. The Golf-a-hollics could get a regular supply from local Zoos and try a natural method, rather than resorting to violence.

Scott

10/02/2010

I'm sure the kangaroos will be tickled pink in the knowledge that their carcasses will be used for the benefit of other species, particularly when those other species constitute dogs and humans. The erection of a fence sounds like a good idea, it only needs to be high enough to keep the idiots out that love chasing kangaroos in their four wheel drives. Preston Beach's track record of kangaroo cruelty incidents in recent years is an absolute disgrace. Kangaroos being run down deliberately, kangaroos mutilated and yes, some of the victims come from the same golf course population. I can't believe the golf club is complaining about the same kangaroos they use to promote their course. Kangaroos do not threaten people although they might get ticked off when humans choose to run them down, reverse back over them, shatter their jaw, shoot them or chase them in 4wds, they also dislike being attacked by dogs that should be on a leash.... and being turned into (beneficial) dogfood

Lachaisedieu

Unfortunately the kangaroos have been allowed to multiply for many years and as a result they are now entering private properties to secure feed.
If a cull is allowed, the meat will be used purposefully, for the benefit of other species.

Kim Walpole

Yeah, typical treatment towards our most beautiful Aussie Icon. I live among wild kangaroos and raise orphans. In all my years I have never ever been threatened by a kangaroo. It is all about respecting them. I would never expect country shires to be compassionate towards kangaroos as most country shires have antiquated views. DEC isn't much help either. There is a big question mark over their dealings with kangaroos. I personally think there should be an enquiry into the allowable cruelty by DEC's recommendations on the method of killing in-pouch joeys. It's always the dollar with councils or golf courses. A bullet is cheaper than fencing etc. Keep up the fight to save them. Get media exposure, request evidence/costs to golf course and boycott any purchase of kangaroo products. It all helps. The kangaroos have as much right to be there, or anywhere and their world is getting a lot smaller. As for the golfers...stop being so selfish and share the planet.

Laurie

Golf before our native fauna? Pathetic The golf club should be forced to follow DEC's advice and erect a fence. Too expensive for the poor sods I suppose?