As the demand for property soars and people see dollar signs in their eyes, more and more of the coastal strip has been cleared to make way for housing. Very little regard has been shown to the resident wildlife populations. Developers and council alike have an attitude that wildlife will "move on" once they clear the property.

But where does it move on to? With more developments and more clearing the habitat shrinks and the wildlife is left with little chance of survival. Many wallabies are killed every day as they congregate near road verges at dawn and dusk to eat fresh green pick.

Motorists, in their hurried plight do not slow down for the animals or simply react too slowly. Wallabies that are startled by bright lights and noise fall victim to the automobile. It isn't just adults, mothers carrying Joeys or with a Joey at foot all become victims. Many of these animals must suffer terribly from the horrific injuries inflicted by automobiles. Dismemberment, disembowelment and broken limbs are common place.

My family and I have personally attended hundreds of fatalities and have rescued many Joeys whose mothers have been killed. Some are so badly injured that there is little that can be done for them. However, there are also many success stories of Joeys who survive despite the odds. It is never easy to determine a Joeys chances for survival as sometimes euthanasia is the kindest alternative. Even if there is the slightest chance of survival, we believe that every creature deserves that chance.

The profound effect that habitat destruction has on wildlife is very evident in the Cairns area. As more and more remnant vegetation is cleared for housing lots, local wildlife is left with nowhere to go. Hundreds of acres have been cleared around Cairns in the past few years, with developers and council alike showing a reluctance to address the wildlife issues.

There have been many news articles in local papers about the issue. These have come from like minded members of the community who want to see these animals treated the way that they should be. Statements like "the wildlife will simply move on" or "humans are more important" have been common place from people in power who have the ability to make a difference - if they want to....

Regrettably, the Agile wallaby is considered by Government authorities as a "common" species. In lay mans terms, this literally means that the species is expendable. The population is considered such that the loss of the animals to development or road kill is acceptable. But tell me this - what happens when this species is no longer "common"?

Isn't it easier to do something when a sustainable population exists rather than wait until it has declined to such a level that the species is "vulnerable"?  Regardless of the classification, we believe that the Agile wallabies on the northern beaches are entitled to live in the area that they call home. Government authorities must stop "buck passing" and enforce the provision of wildlife corridors and preservation of habitat areas.