BACCHUS Marsh residents have called for Moorabool Council to take a leading role in keeping the community safe from snakes.
Resident Donna Beecham is spearheading a Facebook petition, already supported by 516 people, calling for the council to provide a “necessary service” in catching snakes in the shire, especially in summer.
She said that with an increasing amount of calls being made to catchers, residents were being left out of pocket.
“Council will pay for a dog catcher to catch stray dogs yet they will not pay for a snake catcher to attend a call to a panicked home or business owner,” Ms Beecham said.
“Fees range from $180 for a standard callout. Other councils provide this service yet our council doesn’t.”
Ms Beecham said due to development in outlying areas, Bacchus Marsh should be classified as residential.
“I’ve been out with experienced snake catchers on jobs. They can collect up to 10 snakes a day when it’s really busy.”
Moorabool chief executive officer Rob Croxford said collecting snakes was not council’s responsibility.
“Snakes are native animals. With snakes on private land, it is the responsibility of the owner to contact a snake catcher to collect the snake.
“Details of snake catchers can be found on our website or by phoning our customer service team.”
Golden Plains, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires do not provide a snake-catching service.
To report snakes on public land, phone the Department of Primary Industries on 5336 6856.
