2 days ago
Kangaroo control streamlined for Victorian farmers facing drought
Victorian farmers will be able to control kangaroos on their properties more quickly as part of further state drought support.
Premier Jacinta Allan told the Victorian Country Hour on Friday the kangaroo control permit process would be reduced to less than a week.
"We know that kangaroos are coming in and putting some extra pressure on pastures," she said.
"The aspiration is to change [permit approvals] to less than one week.
"We'll be looking at offering some rebates to help manage this."
Farmers have voiced frustration about a slowdown in kangaroo management under the Allan government.
The premier said kangaroos were having a negative impact and more control assistance was needed.
"We've got to do it humanely, we've got to look at how it can be done through non-lethal control mechanisms, but it's got to be done," Ms Allan said.
The Victorian government's drought task force met for the first time in Camperdown in the state's south-west last week.
A second meeting was held in Shepparton, in northern Victoria, on Friday.
Despite welcome rain across the state last weekend, conditions for many farmers have remained dire.
The government has also announced a temporary drought freight transport network expansion in Victoria's south west.
"This is getting the bigger trucks closer to the farm gate, increasing the tonnage of those trucks that can use the local road network," Ms Allan said.
She said some restrictions would be relaxed as a temporary but necessary measure.
"It's just another way we can defray time and cost and pressure on our farmers," she said.
Biosecurity measures around fodder coming from interstate will also be streamlined.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has been contacted for comment.
