Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
VICROADS is reviewing speed limits on a section of the Heathcote-Kyneton Road near Kyneton after a string of serious accidents.
A VicRoads spokesperson said there had been 10 'casualty crashes' in the 100kmh zone between Watts Lane and Edgecombe Road since 2010.
Redesdale resident Denise Gathercole suffered severe facial injuries when a large kangaroo crashed through her car windscreen in the latest incident on May 9.
Ms Gathercole suffered serious lacerations, fractures and nerve damage to her face.
She is now calling for more to be done to address the danger on the road, including culling kangaroo numbers in the area.
"That's not going to solve the problem alone, grants could be given to farmers to install higher fencing and better signage is needed," Ms Gathercole said.
Wildlife rescuer Fiona Corke said a cull would not address the issue.
"It's very unfortunate - the accident - and we wish her a very speedy recovery, but unless you kill each and every kangaroo, you can never be assured of absolute safety, in fact, it could have the opposite effect and make people complacent driving in country areas," Ms Corke said.
"Our network has been trying to educate our community for many years on driver awareness with wildlife, such as slowing down between dusk and dawn, and most importantly using your peripheral vision, because any animal could suddenly dart out onto the road - a cow, a sheep, a deer, a horse a wombat, a kangaroo.
"We will be calling on the council and VicRoads to look at this stretch of road and place instructive and informative signage for wildlife."
Macedon Ranges Shire Council's director of assets and operations, Dale Thornton, said council wrote to VicRoads in March seeking a speed limit reduction on the road.
"We had some resident requests, and we conducted a very detailed and technical assessment which takes into account road condition, crash history, view lines, cross traffic, or any other hazards including wildlife, and we then make a recommendation to VicRoads," he said.
Mr Thornton said council expected a response from VicRoads in the next few weeks.
- Midland Express