Speeding vehicles creating havoc among Melros kangaroo population

SPEEDING vehicles are creating havoc among the kangaroo population at Melros.

Four or five injured kangaroos are taken to a local wildlife hospital each month.

The kangaroos live mainly in a huge area of pristine bush in the old part of the suburb and gather on Melros Reserve (renamed the Melros Roo Reserve) at dusk.

The latest victim of speeding traffic died on the verge in front of an Oceanic Drive home last week.

Melros resident Peter Becker said he removed a tiny joey from its pouch that was taken to the wildlife hospital.

Mr Becker says the worst times were early morning with speeding delivery vans and the holiday season.

“Motorists just don’t brake, in fact its possible to tell from tyre tracks that some have deliberately driven at the animals,’’ he said.

Mr Becker said he wanted some sort of protection for the animals – speed humps or signs warning of the presence of wildlife would be “perfect”.

“Anything to slow people down,” he said.

He also said he was worried about the increasing number of children playing around local roads.

“That’s two good reasons for action – children and kangaroos,’’ he said.

City chief executive Mark Newman said the community and environmental value of local wildlife, including kangaroos, was well understood by the council.

“Although we understand the concerns, at this stage there are no plans to install speed humps as a measure to protect kangaroos,’’ he said.

“It is recognised the Melros and Florida localities are undergoing growth and development.

“There are fauna relocation programs in place to protect certain fauna but at times there will be conflict with the wildlife.”

Mr Newman said considerable planning work had been undertaken to preserve and enhance fauna corridors between Melros and Florida so the signs would be deemed appropriate.

“In this case, the city can erect signs warning of kangaroos as has been placed in other localities,’’ he said.

“As always, we expect the community and motorists to drive appropriately and in accordance with the environment they travel in and through.”