Scare guns are being used to ward off an “unusually large” flock
of corellas causing damage to property around Maddingley Park and
Bacchus Marsh racecourse and recreation reserve.
Moorabool council chief executive Rob Croxford confirmed the
Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) had granted
permits to allow the non-lethal program, following repeated calls from
residents to act.
Activity at the affected sites began on August 26 and will
continue for the next two weeks between 4pm and 7pm.
The program is
designed to ‘‘throw off’’ the roosting and eating habits of the birds by
startling them with loud noises made by compressed air machines.
While
the practice cannot physically harm humans or wildlife, the council said
it would temporarily disrupt the reserve and ‘‘its surroundings’
amenity’’.
A council spokesman said the native birds had damaged oval lighting and large turf areas. As reported by the Weekly,
the birds are also affecting a nearby bus company, damaging trees in
front of the property and chewing electrical wiring, roof grommets, and
aerials and wiper blades on vehicles.
Cr David Edwards said corella numbers had soared from 1500 to 5000
in 18 months. “Arborists who have visited [the area] said that’s why
[trees are] starting to drop limbs,” he said.
