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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

New Fence on Former Premier's Property Angers Neighbors, Sparks Wildlife Concerns

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A new fence on former Victorian premier John Brumby's property has drawn criticism from neighbors who call it a "deathtrap" for kangaroos.
  • Local residents report seeing dead kangaroos near the fence, with some believing they died trying to cross it or due to restricted movement.
  • The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is investigating complaints about the 500-meter fence, which replaced an older structure.

A recently constructed fence on a cattle property owned by former Victorian premier John Brumby has sparked anger among nearby residents. Neighbors have described the new 500-meter fence in central Victoria as a "deathtrap" for kangaroos, raising concerns about wildlife welfare.

She was very, very distressed. It was awful

— Libby StobieLibby Stobie described the condition of a kangaroo found trapped in the new fence.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has confirmed it is investigating multiple complaints regarding the exclusion fencing along the boundary of Mr. Brumby's Newham property. Some locals, who consider the area a vital wildlife corridor, claim dozens of kangaroos regularly crossed the old fence line. They report finding kangaroos distressed and injured, with one instance requiring wire cutters to free an animal before wildlife rescuers euthanized it.

The first day or so when the wiring was in place and the kangaroos couldn't go where they normally go to, they were all over the road

— Robert MulhollandRobert Mulholland described the immediate impact of the new fence on kangaroo movement.

Robert Mulholland, a bordering property owner, stated he has observed five dead kangaroos near the fence since its completion. He is uncertain if they were victims of vehicle collisions or died attempting to navigate the taller fence. Mulholland also expressed concern that the fence's mesh extending to the ground restricts wildlife movement, forcing them onto roads.

spoken with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and an officer has confirmed that the new fence is an acceptable agricultural exclusion fence

— Rosemary McKenzieRosemary McKenzie, wife of John Brumby, stated the council's assessment of the fence.

Mr. Brumby's wife, Rosemary McKenzie, stated that the new fence is an acceptable agricultural exclusion fence. She explained that the 40-year-old dilapidated fence, which had barbed wire and cyclone construction, was replaced with a taller cyclone fence topped with plain wire, omitting barbed and electric wires. McKenzie noted that similar fences are common in the district, and the road adjacent to their property, like others in the area, is frequented by kangaroos and increasingly by deer.

Wildlife groups commonly refer to fencing of this nature as exclusion fencing

— Kate KendallMacedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Kate Kendall commented on the type of fencing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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