By Pam Kiriakidis
An Animal Justice Party candidate for the November state election has joined the campaign to halve the speed limit on Moffats Lane, Romsey, a Macedon Ranges Shire Council road known for a high number of native wildlife deaths.
Northern Victorian candidate and Kyneton resident Georgie Purcell has called for the speed limit to be reduced from 100km to 50km.
Moffats Lane meets with Knox Road, Black Range Road, and Melbourne-Lancefield Road.
Over the years, Moffat’s Lane has included properties in the Land for Wildlife program – a State Government program supporting landholders who provide habitat for native wildlife on their land.
But there has also been a significant increase in development, as the nearby Lomandra residential estate progresses.
Ms Purcell said the speed limit was a danger to native animals, as well as residents who used the road.
“Hitting any animal on the road at high speed can result in human injury and of course car damage as well, so [a speed limit reduction] is something that benefits both animals and humans,” she said.
“This particular road is just one example of many where areas have been expanded, housings been built but no consideration has been given to native wildlife and where they are going to go.”
Romsey residents have shared their concerns to Ms Purcell, expressing their anguish for native wildlife that cross Moffats Lane.
“I’ve had a number of locals across the whole region reach out to me with the animal welfare and native wildlife concern, and some of them are extremely long running like this one where they’ve received no action, and they are coming to me to request support,” she said.
Ms Purcell said she would soon write to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council to voice her concerns.
She said she could not comprehend why no further actions have been made to help native animals in the area.
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council sent letters this year to residents advising them on three actions following an onsite meeting at Moffats Lane: installing wildlife signage; recommending residents drive appropriately to the conditions and slower when needed; and using high beams at night to provide best notice for driver and wildlife.
Assets and operations director Shane Walden said council was well informed upon the wildlife roadkill issue, and would work with residents.
“Council is aware of community concern regarding this area and has undertaken traffic monitoring on Moffats Lane. This does not currently support a speed reduction at this time, and we continue to liaise with residents in the area,” he said.
“The considering of wildlife trauma is included in the ‘Road Mobility and Safety Strategy’, which will guide how we ensure that we are managing wildlife trauma amongst other considerations in the planning and operation of our road network.”
Ms Purcell suggested council could consider other options, such as virtual fencing that deters wildlife from coming on the roads, and a wildlife over and underpass, where animals in built-up areas can cross.
“It’s a really good option for areas like the highways that have a high amount of road usage and field roads, but in this circumstance, we are talking about a dirt road that is essentially used by mostly people who live on it or around it,” she said.
“A speed level reduction is obviously the easiest and cheapest option, and it seems to be the most logical.
“Another thing that could be considered is the wildlife underpass, given that one of the main animals dying on Moffats Lane are wombats, so they could easily go through an underpass as well.”
Ms Purcell said she would like to see wildlife be a factor in planning for roads, especially speed limits on a broader level. She said she would also raise her concerns with Roads Minister Ben Carroll.
