Photo: Bruce Hunt
Camera IconPhoto: Bruce Hunt Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Wanneroo opens public consultation on fauna policy for subdivisions

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

ISSUES arising from kangaroos herded onto neighbouring landholdings during clearing have prompted the City of Wanneroo to draft a policy on fauna management.

The council approved the draft policy, which aims to improve fauna management during early stages of development and prevent herding issues experienced in Yanchep, at its July 24 meeting.

At the briefing session, acting strategic land use planning and environment manager Jim Singleton said the policy would require developers to survey fauna and humanely relocate them before they started clearing land.

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MORE: Relocated kangaroos causing concerns

The July council report recommended that development sites be fenced to prevent animals returning and Mr Singleton said that fencing could be removed once the area was fully developed, as animals would not be attracted to it.

“The City has experienced unsustainable kangaroo populations being displaced into residential areas, golf courses and development sites in Yanchep,” the report said.

“Remaining areas of remnant vegetation are unable to adequately accommodate displaced kangaroo and fauna populations.

“This has adverse effects on the health of displaced fauna and in some areas is distressing to the local community.

“Extensive areas of kangaroo habitat have been zoned for urban development and as such will be cleared in due course.

“By ensuring that developers manage fauna on land for which they are responsible in a proactive manner, the City can potentially avoid future situations similar to that experienced in Yanchep.”

At the briefing session, Councillor Paul Miles asked whether the policy would protect kangaroos at the Inghams site in Sinagra and was told the new owners were doing surveys but had not yet submitted a development application.

Cr Nat Sangalli asked whether the policy would look at smaller animals, and Mr Singleton said it arose to deal with the kangaroo problem in Yanchep and developers were required to follow other environmental policies regarding flora and fauna generally.

The draft fauna policy is out for public comment from tomorrow until September 11.

Visit www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au for more information.