Petition to East Gippsland Water to Halt Proposed Kangaroo Culling Program and Require Transparent, Non-Lethal Wildlife Management

We, the undersigned residents, landholders, community members, Australian supporters and International supporters of East Gippsland Wildlife, call on East Gippsland Water and relevant Government authorities to immediately pause any proposed culling of Kangaroos under the recently announced wildlife control program affecting Kalimna West, Paynesville and Metung.

Kangaroos are a protected native species and an important part of Australia’s environmental and cultural heritage. In several affected areas, local mobs have lived peacefully alongside residents and farming communities for generations. In the Lake Victoria Road area, community members report a long-established mob that has coexisted with locals for at least six generations, surviving events such as the 1978 fires and remaining a familiar part of the local landscape. 

At present, the community has not been provided with sufficient publicly available information regarding:

• What specific damage is being attributed to Kangaroos

• Evidence distinguishing Kangaroo impact from Deer, Foxes or other causes

• What permits, approvals and population assessments are in place

• Animal welfare safeguards and methods proposed

• Why non-lethal alternatives have not been prioritised

This issue has also attracted concern  from supporters Nationally and Internationally, who recognise Kangaroos as an iconic globally valued Australian native species.

Visitors from around the World travel to Australia expecting to see our Kangaroos living freely, in a natural environment. 

The widespread public opposition reflected in this petition, demonstrates that the treatment of our native wildlife, is not only a local concern, but an issue of broader National and International interest.

Many people believe Kangaroos should be responsiblely managed through humane, evidence-based and non-lethal methods that protect both wildlife and land values.

We therefore call for:

1. An immediate suspension of any Kangaroo culling activities pending public review.

2. Full public release of permits, ecological evidence, population data and justification for Kangaroo control.

3. Independent assessment of non-lethal options including exclusion fencing, habitat management and deterrent strategies.

4. Meaningful community consultation before any future action is taken.

5. Recognition of Kangaroos as a valued part of East Gippsland’s natural environment.

East Gippsland Communities and the broader National and International supporters deserve transparent decision-making,  grounded in science, compassion and responsible stewardship.

Signed,

[Name]

[Suburb]

[Email optional]

[Signature if paper petition]