Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said landowners were bearing the brunt of surging kangaroo numbers.

"We need a clearer idea of the number of kangaroos out there. There needs to be a visible and sustainable population," he said.

"Farmers have been feeding kangaroos for free for a long time, but in times of drought, we feed a lot more kangaroos than we should.

"The impact on landowners needs to be acknowledged."

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Speaking to the Wimmera Mail-Times about the increasing number of kangaroos observed on state highways and busy back roads, the VFF president said the issue is costing the community dearly.

"Kangaroo populations have exploded in the past five years because conditions were perfect," he said.

"But when numbers in public parks flow over into private land, you start to see issues.

"You only have to talk to a panel beater to find out how bad the problem is on our roads."

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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of cars requiring repairs from hitting a kangaroo in Horsham was more than 15 per week.

"Crash repairs from kangaroo collisions we picking up before the shutdown," said Kelly Gardner, Office manager at Mick Cramer Spray painter & Smash Repair.

"Roughly 60 percent of our work was related to kangaroos. I'd say at least 20 cars a month."

Representatives from Greg McLennan Smash Repairs and McAlpine Crash Repairs said their businesses fixed on average six cars respectively a that had collided with kangaroos every week.

Regional Roads Victoria regional director Michael Bailey said sharing the roads with wildlife is part of life in country Victoria.

"Unfortunately animals can be unpredictable and enter our roads at any time, regardless of roadside conditions," he said.

"While we've seen a reduction in the number of collisions involving animals on our 4800 kilometre road network across western Victoria as compared to this time last year, drivers should remain vigilant."

"The message is clear - stay home. But if you must travel, we urge drivers to reduce their speed, scan the road and roadsides for wildlife and be alert when travelling through areas that are known wildlife hotspots - particularly at dusk and dawn when wildlife is more active."

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Mr Jochinke said state policies on kangaroo management needs to be updated.

"Landowners can apply for permits to control kangaroos numbers, but you are only allowed to cull 10 percent of the population.

"That 10 percent is an underestimated number in the first place, so culling won't have a long-lasting impact.

"The real question is 'what does a sustainable population look like?' We need to have more manageable numbers and even install exclusion fencing around private property.

"If kangaroos are going from public to private land, we should be able to balance those numbers."

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Mr Jochinke said pest animals in the region, such as deer and wild pig, exacerbated the issue.

"Deer numbers have exploded across the state, just like pigs. They destroy native habitats which create issues for our natural fauna," he said.

"We should be able to hunt these animals and not just shoot a percentage - we should be allowed to hunt out the whole population."

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning was contacted for comment.

Injured wildlife can be reported to Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300. Dead animals on roadsides can be reported to Regional Roads Victoria on 133 RRV.

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