The cull of eastern grey kangaroos in outer eastern areas was raised last week in State Parliament by Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence.

“My constituency question is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change on behalf of hundreds of local Mooroolbark, Lilydale and Mount Evelyn residents in relation to the mob of around 60 eastern grey kangaroos at the Kinley development site.

“Six months ago locals were shocked to learn that your department, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, authorised the slaughter of these kangaroos in 2019 without any transparency or community consultation.

“After a community campaign and my advocacy to you in July last year to stop the cull, residents now want to know: will you categorically rule out a cull of kangaroos at this site; what is the status of the rehoming program presented to you by vets and wildlife rescuers months ago; and will you urgently intervene to ensure a swift, humane rehoming of these kangaroos?

“There have been genuine rehoming options available to your government for months, yet you continue to hide behind your bureaucracy, failing these kangaroos and failing the locals in my community,” Ms Vallence said.