Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Kim WELLS (Rowville) (10:21): This statement condemns the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and the Department of Transport and Planning for their failure to respond to serious community concerns and advocacy regarding wildlife road strike trauma along Wellington Road, particularly through Lysterfield. The Allan Labor government must urgently commit funding to the Wellington Road duplication upgrade project between Napoleon Road, Rowville, and Berwick Road, Narre Warren East, to help stem the carnage – a project previously funded by the Liberals but axed by the current federal Labor government. This critical project must incorporate road strike mitigation measures like electronic virtual fencing and variable message signs to stop the cruel wildlife carnage occurring along Wellington Road. Since I first raised the issue of increasing wildlife road strikes in July last year, the distress in our communities has only deepened. Annual wildlife road strike data for 2025, compiled by local rescuer Lea, reveals a staggering 490 animal fatalities on the 22-kilometre stretch of Wellington Road in Rowville, including 262 kangaroos, 51 wallabies and 28 wombats. Most disturbingly, more than half of these deaths – 248 animals, including 231 kangaroos – occurred on just a 6-kilometre stretch where the road cuts through Lysterfield Park. Local hero wildlife rescuers continue to plead for help to stem this wildlife trauma.