Possum removal demand surges as Aussies face hefty fines

A shocking discovery on an elderly Victorian homeowner’s roof has sparked a stern $44,000 warning to Australians, as possum infestations skyrocket across the country, wreaking havoc in homes.

Wildlife rescuers were recently called to a property in the Macedon Ranges after a young brushtail possum was found trapped in a wire cage and left exposed to harsh overnight conditions.

The native animal, suffering facial injuries and dehydration, had been caught on a frustrated pensioner’s roof, a spokesperson for the volunteer-run Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network told Yahoo News.

Another person had set up the trap to assist the pensioner, but “unfortunately no follow-up plan was put in place” for its welfare or release, they explained.

“Once the homeowner realised the possum had been caught, they did the right thing by reporting the situation to Wildlife Victoria so that help could be provided.”

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While the homeowner’s intentions weren’t malicious, the incident highlights a growing trend of Aussies taking matters into their own hands to deal with a national increase in possum invasions – often without realising the hefty penalties for breaking strict wildlife protection laws.

The $44,000 possum problem

Under Victorian law, homeowners are allowed to trap and release possums from their roof spaces, but only if they follow stringent regulations.

These include using approved traps, checking them within two hours of sunrise, and releasing the possum no more than 50m from where it was caught.

Breaching these rules can result in fines of up to $44,380 or even two years in prison.

In this case, the elderly homeowner avoided penalties after reporting the situation to Wildlife Victoria, allowing the possum to be rescued and treated by licensed carers.

Across Australia, it is illegal to trap possums, or catch and release them without a licence.

Possum infestations on the rise

The warning comes as new data reveals a surge in possum-related issues across Australia.

According to new Airtasker data, possum infestations are peaking right now, with demand for possum removal services soaring 40 per cent in August compared to previous months – and a 15 per cent year-on-year rise in September.

Melbourne has been crowned the nation’s possum capital, with licensed Pest Technician and Tasker Ibby El-Jamal naming the city’s inner east as ground zero for possum chaos, with removal tasks there running at three times the national average.

“Melbourne’s combination of possum-friendly old housing with gaps and roof cavities can make DIY removal tricky, which when breed like wildfire,” he says.

“The noisy breeding and fighting is a nuisance at all hours, especially when it’s dark, as they are nocturnal, and people would rather pay a pest control expert than do it themselves.

“That leads to high demand, as proven by the amount of possum removal tasks posted on Airtasker.”

The inner east is followed closely by Melbourne’s inner south, with both regions having a rate of tasks per 100,000 population 300 per cent higher than the national average.

Sydney suburbs like North Sydney, Hornsby and the Northern Beaches also made the top 10 possum hotspots, but Melbourne still takes the crown, with 60 per cent more removal jobs than Sydney.

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