Drivers and cyclists fear roos of “plague proportions” in the area pose a growing danger to road users, while farmers echo calls to reduce the pests because they damage crops and fences. 

It comes as cyclist Dom Shepard was riding with a group of about 25 Wagga Cycling Club riders on Pattersons Road on Saturday morning when the roo jumped out in front of him.

Mr Shepard was taken to hospital with a heavy concussion and serious cuts and bruises. 

Junee farmer Martin Honner said the crash was just one of many that highlighted the need for a roo cull in the region. 

“The roos are getting worse,” he said.

“They’re in plague proportions here. We’ve got to do something about it.”

Mr Honner said not only were roos eating stock feed, destroying fences and damaging crops, but were also becoming a dangerous threat to road users as dry conditions prevailed.  

“The trouble is all these people saying they’re a great animal and that they’re on the coat of arms, but they’re not farmers dealing with them everyday,” he said. 

“Cyclists might get some mileage out of (the crash), but it’s also for people travelling on the roads every day. 

“There’s been lots of accidents between Wagga and Junee on the Bomen Road.

“(Roos) were never native to this particular region.

“(Now) you’d nearly think they’re on a breeding program.”

Wagga Cycling Club publicity officer Cameron Oke said the matter of roos was a growing concern. 

“There’s been a lot more roo encounters along Pattersons Road in the last couple of months, just in terms of spotting,” Mr Oke said.

“I actually hit a roo (in a vehicle) on that road about 12 months ago.

“I’ve heard a substantial amount of people say a cull will be good. All over Australia, they’re becoming a pest.”

Club president James Vickers added roos were “just a fact of life”.

But Snowy Mountains Animal Rescue Team founder Lorene Cross, who is currently caring for two joeys, condemned calls for a cull. 

“I don’t like culls of any sort,” she said. 

“It’s Australia, we’ve got roos. It also depends on how they’re doing it.”

Mr Shepard is expected to return to the bike this week.