Virtual Fencing Trial on the Surf Coast

Far too many of our precious native animals become victims of road strikes. Many of these deaths are preventable! Kangaroo strikes and desperate pleas from constituents about protecting wildlife are the number one issue raised with Andy's office. The regularity of road strikes is leaving deep trauma for many. Virtual fencing gives some relief that one day it will be fixed and will make our roads safer for drivers.

Andy Meddick MP has been pushing the government to trial virtual fencing in Western Victoria Region. In 2021, he helped secure $165,000 in the state budget allocated to test the technology on a stretch of Forest Road near Anglesea.

The virtual fencing trial is now up and operating on Victoria's Surf Coast with seventeen kilometres of digital invisible fence being installed. The death rate on this road is staggering so the benefits will become clear very quickly. Surf Coast Wildlife Rescue will be data collecting for the next 12 months. They'll make comparisons with their previously collected to show at the end of the period the viability of Virtual Fence. We’re confident the data will show the need to roll it out across Victoria and encourage other States to roll out.

June 2022 - Installation Begins!

pic courtesy of Jason Cichocki

Virtual fence to be trialled near Anglesea, Surf Coast Times