Wallabies on the Mornington Peninsula will be sedated and relocated after a surge in their population and lack of food caused some to starve to death.

In an emergency intervention on Tuesday evening, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors voted unanimously to reduce wallaby populations at The Briars in Mount Martha via rehoming.

The council said wetter conditions last year had increased plant growth – and thus food – for wallabies, probably leading to an increase in their population. But drier weather this year had dramatically cut vegetation in the enclosed conservation park.

The climatic whiplash meant many wallabies were left with too little to eat and began dying of starvation.

Mayor Anthony Marsh said on social media last week that he called an unscheduled council meeting for Tu

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