Wildlife rescuers are hit with a $2,500 fine for putting up signs warning drivers not to hit animals

Wildlife rescuers are hit with a $2,500 fine for putting up signs warning drivers not to hit animals

  • Wildlife rescuers hit with fine for warning signs telling drivers not to hit animals
  • The Bass Coast Shire slammed for slugging the volunteer rescue with the fine
  • Kaylene Mendola, from Wildlife Rescue Phillip Island, said there was no warning
  • The fine was eventually waived by the Council’s CEO Paul Buckley  

Wildlife rescuers have been hit with a hefty fine for putting up signs warning drivers not to hit animals.

The Bass Coast Shire in Victoria has been slammed for slugging the volunteer rescue team with a $2470 fine after seizing the signs which read, ‘Slow down! Reduce the wildlife road toll! Be alert. Be aware. Be wildlife ready.’

Kaylene Mendola, from Wildlife Rescue Phillip Island, told 3AW that the council fined them $130 for each sign and were not warned before they received the infringement notice.  

The Bass Coast Shire in Victoria has been slammed for slugging the volunteer rescue team with a $2470 fine after seizing the signs (pictured) 

‘Not a request, no phone call, no nothing…so we’ve been fined nearly $2500 to get our signs back,’ Ms Mendola said.

She also said the rescuers had sought permission from the council twice to put up the signs but were not given any response, and were left wondering why no one was calling them. 

‘In the two days that they were up, we didn’t get a single rescue call, we didn’t get an emergency email,’ Ms Mendola said.

‘This is a service we’ve provided for more than 10 years with no help from the Shire, all the funding comes out of our pocket, yet when someone calls with an injured animal they’re only too happy to forward the call straight to us.’

Following the interview on Tuesday, the council’s CEO Paul Buckley, said they will waive the fees.

‘We could have worked more closely with the group on a resolution but there’ll be no fines, no penalties issued to the group,’ Mr Buckley said. 

The fine was eventually waived by the Council's CEO Paul Buckley (pictured is the infringement notice)

The fine was eventually waived by the Council’s CEO Paul Buckley (pictured is the infringement notice)

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