Despite a motion to immediately seek a permit being shot down at the shire’s January meeting, the council has left the door open to pursue an eradication program against the native birds. 

Cr Daniel Meade put forward the urgent notice of motion to apply for a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) permit to eradicate corellas at Port Fairy’s cricket ovals.

It followed a presentation at the meeting from Port Fairy Cricket Club’s Paul Sheehan, who outlined the damage being done to the ovals by up to 3000 birds and called for a solution that was “good for all of us and death for the corellas”.

While some councillors labelled the move a potential “PR disaster”, Crs Colin Ryan and Jim Doukas said a permit should be applied for straight away.

“The cricket club have had a gut-full. It’s year after year after year and it’s not just the cricket club… it gets to the stage where the trees end up dying. Let’s have some courage… go to the government, see what they say, get whatever permit is going to work,” Cr Doukas said.

“If it’s gassing or poisoning or shooting then so be it… Let’s take the lead here and show other councils that we’re not scared to do something in the best interest of the community.”

Glenelg Shire received a permit in January to control corella numbers at Henty Park, including using firearms, and Cr Doukas said Moyne should go down the same path.

Mayor Mick Wolfe said he was no fan of corellas and would “have no regrets shooting one”, but said there was no reason to rush the process.

“I’d be very surprised, given the population that’s in Port Fairy at the moment, that you’d be able to do anything there… I don’t see what the rush is. We’re not informed, we’re not educated as to what’s required at this stage, and also it’s not solely a problem at Southcombe Park,” he said.

“Let’s put a decent case together to present and just see what options there are and we can make a decision in February if we want to proceed.”

Crs Jordan Lockett and Ian Smith both expressed concern.

Cr Lockett said the motion was a “knee-jerk reaction” to a single presentation. “I think council should be ashamed that this is even being considered,” he said. 

“I know the corellas well. A lot of people love them. I’m sure a lot of people don’t, I’m sure the cricket club don’t, but they are a native species.”

Cr Smith said while he agreed the corellas were causing damage, more discussion was needed.

“I think it’s going to be a PR disaster for the Moyne Shire to be quite honest, we’re doing it right next to our childcare facility... I’m just amazed people are wanting to do this,” he said.

Chief executive officer David Madden said officers would be preparing a report on the options to be presented to councillors this month.

Port Fairy Cricket Club’s Paul Sheehan said scare guns and a bird calling machine had both failed. 

“The volunteers are sick of repairing damage from the corellas and it’s time council stood up and made a decision about eradicating them so we can get on with things,” he said.

“Something serious has to be done, the only solution is to eradicate them.”