The relocation project comes following land-clearing works at the old Appleton Orchard on College Road in April, 2016 which sent resident kangaroos fleeing into Bathurst’s central business district.

The clearing works were being conducted after Bathurst Regional Council acquired the land for a proposed second track on Mount Panorama.

A plan was then formulated to dart each of the kangaroos and relocate them.

Since then, Bathurst Kangaroo Project’s Helen Bergen has been working with council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to seek a licence for the relocation.

This type of relocation has never occurred anywhere in the state before.

And, while permission has now been granted, temporary fencing for the relocation site is needed before any kangaroos can be moved.

“They’re [the 150-plus kangaroos] being held in a temporary compound in the Mount Panorama precinct,” Ms Bergen said.

The release site is being kept a secret, however, it is located within 100 kilometres of Bathurst.

Initially the kangaroos will be kept in a soft-release compound at the site before being progressively released into their new environment.

Around 1200-2000 metres of fencing mesh/wire (1800-2000mm high) is needed to construct the compound. Poles and star pickets are also needed.

A team can be sent to dismantle fencing and return materials if required. Labour and tools are also needed.

Meanwhile, international ecologist and founder of Compassionate Conservation Middle East, Dr Dror Ben-Ami, recently visited Bathurst to learn more about the kangaroo project.

“Bathurst’s Mount Panorama kangaroos are of international interest for many reasons, and I think the local council and its community clubs and NGOs [non-government organisations], along with the army of volunteers are earning international approval for finding a non-lethal answer to remove the risks to kangaroos, road and track users,” he said.

“It’s also an innovative model that will be providing validated outcomes and protocols.”