Thursday, 6 February 2025

Northern Victoria Region

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:52): (1349) My constituency question is for the Minister for Water. A wildlife carer from the Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network reached out to me over the break about the high number of native animals needing rescue within the Coliban waterways network. Just last month a kangaroo had to be euthanised after being rescued from a section near Taradale. No-one knew how long he had suffered before he was found. It is often joeys that fall in after not making the distance when attempting to jump over the treacherous terrain. In areas that rescuers are permitted to go to, saving animals is really hard work. The banks down are steep and dangerous, with the current unpredictably strong. There would be countless unreported animals dying in this system. Despite having to constantly remove drowned wildlife from their waterways, Coliban have been unwilling to assist. Will the minister intervene to ensure prevention measures are put in place to reduce this unnecessary and deadly issue?