In July, the Star Mail’s coverage of the kangaroo harvesting exemption took the top spot for article of the month.
The Star Mail extensively covered the topic of a Yarra Ranges kangaroo harvesting exemption, which led to the council’s request being denied in July.
The Yarra Ranges Council initially deferred to make a decision on requesting to be removed from the Gippsland Harvest Zone under the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP).
But in May, the council made its long-awaited decision to formally request to be removed from the KHP. But ultimately, the council’s request would be denied by the State Government in July.
In a statement following the denial, the Yarra Ranges Council said it remained “concerned about the long-term impacts of this program on our local ecosystems and community values”.
Meanwhile, the State Government said kangaroo activity was higher in the Yarra Ranges, and their potential to damage the wildlife made it necessary to control population levels.
“Changes to harvest zones, including the adjustment of the exclusion zone boundary are not made at the request of local councils, but by consideration of local kangaroo population levels,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.
Read the full article here: rangestrader.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2025-07-10/council-and-animal-advocates-disappointed-as-kangaroo-harvesting-exemption-denied/
