Additional temporary fencing will be erected at Mount Panorama this year to stop local fauna from infiltrating the circuit during the running of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The Bathurst City Council recently established the Mount Panorama Fauna Management Strategy to, in part, reduce the risk of kangaroos and other fuana crossing the track during race events.
Based on the findings, a number of recommendations have been made, with additional temporary fencing and increased monitoring of fauna movements during race events flagged as items that the council will take immediate action.
It was also found that fauna densities have not grown significantly, with just two animals accounted for per hectare.
The most common fauna found on the circuit during race meetings are the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. The animals have attempted circuit crossings a number of times during events, with one famously taking the Steve and Jim Richards Castrol Commodore out of contention in the 2004 Bathurst 1000.
According to the council, the overall strategy will allow race meetings, and the general area, to prosper, without disrupting the creatures’ natural habitats or behaviours.
“This strategy is to ensure sustainable fauna population and land management in a manner that allows for continued motorsport, tourism and agricultural activities and maintains ecological processes, as well as improving knowledge in regards to population dynamics and effective management techniques,” the report stated.
The 2012 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 4-7.
