WHY did the kangaroo cross the road? Although it may not answer the age-old question, a plan for a double fence along the north Orange bypass could stop kangaroos and other wildlife ending up as roadkill, according to Orange councillor Reg Kidd.
Cr Kidd wants the council to monitor the numbers of animals in the area and look at establishing a barrier to stop the natives crossing the road.
But landholder Les Quick said the council was unlikely to invest in more fencing.
“Something has to be done ... I have seen blood splatters out the front of our place and there was a dead roo next to Reg’s place. We’ve had probably up to 70 kangaroos on our property ... a fence on the eastern side might be a good idea, but good luck,” he said.
Cr Kidd said there were hundreds of kangaroos between Icely Road and Wellwood on the Mitchell Highway and many were being hit by vehicles on the bypass.
“I’ve picked up quite a few and taken them to the tip,” he said.
“If you’ve got a double fence and plant trees and shrubs in there it deters them from jumping. It makes it look nice along there and it acts as a wildlife barrier.”
Mr Quick said it was beautiful to have kangaroos so close to town but sad to see them restricted to certain areas.
“During the first couple of weeks [when the bypass opened] it was sad to see a mob stuck on one side looking at the mob on the other side,” he said.
“We’ve known some of them now for years. They break through the fence ... wires have been pushed down on the brand new stock-proof fence.”
Cr Kidd said kangaroos and other wildlife were moving closer to town.
He said he had spotted wallabies on the Duntryleague golf course and around Ploughmans Lane.