Stockland has extended an olive branch to wildlife volunteers who were left to foot the bill for 38 joeys displaced during their move of 200 kangaroos north of Perth, by offering to help with costs associated with their care.
The cost was handballed to the volunteers in December after they raised concerns about the joeys, whose welfare, carers' said, had not been properly considered in the management plan submitted by Stockland and signed off by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
A Northern Valleys Wildlife Support spokesperson said their wildlife carers wanted the joeys to stay with their mothers and be relocated with them.
"This happened for the majority but in the process of the relocation and darting, some accidently became separated from mum or were ejected from the pouch, which is what happens occasionally when kangaroos are spooked."
Following discussions, DPaW amended the original licence issued to Stockland to enable joeys to be handed over to the carers.
However, the department also allowed the cost of caring for the joeys to be handed over to the wildlife carers as well.
Wildlife rehabilitator Lyn Manuel said many carers were pensioners and all were volunteers.
She said it cost around $2000 a year to look after one joey, which would need to be nursed for the next 12 months with a special formula.
Following the cost handball, DPaW would not commit to ensuring developers paid for all of the costs associated with wildlife displaced in future relocations.
But last month, Stockland donated $500 towards the cost of feed for around 25 larger joeys, weighing between seven and 13 kilograms.
A spokesperson said Stockland donated $500 in response to a request for a donation by Mrs Manuel to help pay for supplementary feed.
"On the basis that we were advised by Mrs Manuel many of the joeys could go to soft release with back-up feed," he said.
"If our donation was insufficient, we are more than willing to have that conversation but we have not received any such approach by the carers or DPaW."
The spokesperson said certified environmental consultants were engaged to prepare and implement their management plan for the relocation and Stockland consulted with DPaW and followed expert advice.
The spokesperson said in addition to gaining all necessary approvals, a veterinarian was also on-site to oversee the move.
"We took great care to ensure the safety and welfare of all kangaroos involved in the relocation," he said.
"We were surprised and concerned to read the story on February 20, since we'd received no further contact from any of the volunteers.
"In light of the report, we've now reached out to contact the volunteer carers.
"We care deeply about the welfare of the joeys affected by the relocation and we're more than willing to discuss the provision of further support and assistance."
The spokesperson said Stockland has no immediate plans for the relocation of any additional kangaroos in the area, but would continue to liaise closely with DPaW and wildlife volunteers if any further action was required.
Mrs Manuel welcomed a call from Stockland on Wednesday and said she looked forward to discussing practical steps that could be taken to ensure wildlife impacted by their developments were properly cared for and the issue better managed in future.
"Of the 38 joeys taken into care 15 are long term and will need months of care, while the others require support feeding," she said.
"We hope to put this to Stockland and receive financial support for the 15 joeys that were displaced along with their mob due to becoming land-locked by residential development.
A Northern Valleys Wildlife Support spokesperson said donations were coming in to help feed displaced joeys from members of the public via their Facebook page.
But she added it would be good if a lump sum was to be agreed upon prior, from the developers or who ever is paying for the relocations.
