Mobs Moving In
Sunbury’s human population is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, with more and more outlying areas being taken up by new housing estates and other infrastructure. But that hasn’t stopped the local kangaroo population from growing.
Resident ‘kangaroo whisperer’ Robert Irvine has just released the results of his annual Sunbury kangaroo count, with this year’s total of 694 an increase of almost 160 on last year and a big jump from the first count 10 years ago when about 300 were recorded.
Mount Holden again led the way in 2026 with 149 eastern greys spotted on the morning of the recent count, which has been held around the same time of the year since 2016.
Redstone Hill and Everley estates in Sunbury’s south recorded 130, while Emu Bottom Wetlands, Sherwood Grange, Burkes Hill and Wileman Road near Gap Roadd close to the Calder Freeway all returned numbers close to 60 this year.
“It does seem odd that as the Sunbury population increases, the kangaroo population continues to increase,” Mr Irvine said.
“But these results should be of no surprise to anyone.
“The pattern is consistent, so individual numbers of kangaroos are not as important as the trend showing a slight increase.
“Road kills or other loss (phalaris paralysis, when roos eat toxic parts of the introduced Phalaris (canary) grass) is not seemingly affecting the increase in breeding. Kangaroos continue to be attracted into Sunbury from outlying areas.”
Originally published by Star Weekly on 29/07/2026
