Statement on Heritage Golf and Country Club proposed kangaroo cull

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In a statement issued last week, the Heritage Golf and Country Club, in Chirnside Park, said it would not proceed with a proposed kangaroo cull on its property, while also claiming it had received council approval to carry out such a cull.

Nillumbik Shire Council wishes to correct unequivocally for the record, inaccuracies contained in this statement.

The land owned by the proprietors of the Heritage Golf and Country Club encompasses three separate Local Government Areas – Nillumbik Shire Council, as well as Yarra Ranges and Manningham.

Councils however, do not have the authority to make decisions on the culling of native wildlife.

Permission to do so can only be sought and obtained through the appropriate State Government agencies – the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) or the Game Management Authority.

A key consideration in this matter is that the area in which the club is situated is a significant protective corridor for native wildlife and any use of the land must therefore take this status into account. Our community places a high value on the protection of native wildlife and the environment in which they live and Council makes it a priority to act in the community’s interests on this issue.

At its Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting on 8 June 2021, Council resolved, unanimously, to express its concern over initial reports of a planned kangaroo cull and subsequently wrote to the club to inform it of this resolution.

Council also requested that the club consider alternative (non-lethal) approaches to managing the kangaroo population, should there be an absolute need to control the numbers on its property.

In light of recent developments, Nillumbik Shire Council also wishes to express its deep concern at reports from the community – including from animal rescue service Wildlife Victoria – of the killing of kangaroos in the area.

/Public Release. View in full here.