Page 3389 - Week 10 - Thursday, 19 October 2006
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(1) How often are ACT Roads inspected for kangaroo and other dead animal carcasses;
(2) Who is responsible for carrying out this activity;
(3) In what areas or particular roads is this activity carried out;
(4) Are regular inspections carried out of dead animals to ensure the removal and humane handling of young that may be left in pouches of dead animals; if not, why not; if so, how often are these inspections carried out;
(5) Are there any health implications of leaving carcasses on roads in various stages of decay if removals are not carried out on a regular basis;
(6) What is the ACT Government’s legal position if a carcass is not removed promptly and becomes a dangerous obstacle to drivers or poses a health risk;
(7) How many inspectors on a full-time basis are dedicated to the task of inspecting the ACT’s roads for roadkill;
(8) What is the cost to the ACT Government of funding the inspection of the ACT’s roads for roadkill on an annual basis;
(9) Has the funding in part (8) been reduced this financial year from last year; if so, by how much;
(10) If the funding in part (8) has been increased this financial year by how much has it been increased.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) ACT Government staff do not patrol roads specifically looking for dead animal carcasses. Rather, carcasses are removed from roadsides and other prominent places on a prioritised basis, as staff are made aware of their presence. If particular areas are notorious for their high roadkill activity, they are monitored on a regular basis during Rangers’ day to day activities.
(2) The removal of dead kangaroos and other native wildlife from roadsides and other prominent public places is undertaken by rangers from Parks, Conservation and Lands, Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS).
(3) Monitoring activity is concentrated in the Canberra urban area, and major arterial roads including the Barton Highway, the Federal Highway, and the Monaro Highway.
(4) As Rangers come into contact with animal carcasses, consistent with the regime described above, a check of the female’s pouch is always undertaken.
(5) There are no known human health impacts.
(6) Priority is given to the prompt removal of carcasses that may be a dangerous obstacle to traffic once TAMS becomes aware of them.
(7) See 1.
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