Cr Weyrich estimates the ‘roo population has grown by more than one million in the ‘‘past few years’’.
While understanding it is considered controversial, he maintains a cull is the only efficient way forward.
‘‘Having been through the millennial drought and the current drought, kangaroo numbers have exploded in southern New South Wales, effecting our roads,’’ Cr Weyrich said.
‘‘The population has jumped from about 650,000 to 1.5 million in just a few years, breeding uncontrollably in our national parks.
‘‘But the New South Wales Government doesn’t seem to think we matter when it comes to road safety and I feel we are being treated as second class citizens.’’
The Cobb Highway between Echuca and Deniliquin is one of the most dangerous hotspots for the local area.
‘‘I drive from Mathoura to Moama or to Deniliquin every day; dusk, dawn and night are the worst for kangaroos on the road, but daylight hours are getting worse too,’’ Cr Weyrich said.
‘‘You can see the carnage the whole way, where cars and trucks have hit kangaroos.
‘‘Kangaroos in stressed conditions will travel large distances for food and there is not anything in the forests and not many crops in either.
‘‘So they tend to hang out on the side of the road where the rain and water runs off, which is a huge danger to drivers.’’
Cr Weyrich has brought the situation to the attention of state and federal government on ‘‘multiple occasions’’, but is yet to see anything come of his efforts.
‘‘We are virtually prisoners in our own town,’’ Cr Weyrich said.
‘‘If you are travelling in this part of the world, you are putting your life at risk.
‘‘I have tried everything I can do in my power to address this situation but the government continues to deny us, ignore us and there seems to be nothing we can do on a state or federal level, which is consistent with current water problems.
‘‘Human lives are more important than animal lives, and without a doubt something needs to be done.’’
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