A potential mass culling of corellas in Port Fairy has sparked heated responses, including an online petition with more than 300 signatures.
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A motion to immediately seek a permit to cull the native birds causing damage to Port Fairy’s cricket ovals was raised during Moyne Shire’s January meeting.
The motion was defeated, but councillors expressed interest in considering a cull.
Mayor Mick Wolfe said council was not supporting a cull.
“We are going to look at options available to us through DELWP,” he said.
Warrnambool resident and wildlife conservation volunteer Katrina van Someren started a petition opposing the cull on Saturday evening with the intention of presenting it to Moyne Shire councillors.
By Monday afternoon the petition had exceeded 300 signatures.
“It’s quite sad that some people care more about the grass on a sports oval than about the lives of birds,” Ms van Someren said.
“I don’t think that culling should even come into the minds of the council.
“Not only are these birds intelligent and emotional but they’re native – they’re part of Australia and we can’t just keep killing off our native animals.”
Ms van Someren said the damage to the ovals was concerning, but said alternatives should be explored.
Cr Jim Doukas said he had received some emails and text messages with feedback about the idea of culling the birds.
He said people opposed to the idea were more likely to text, or email or take up a petition.
“We’re an open shire,” Mr Doukas said.
“We’ll look at all the opinions provided by everyone and make a decision.”
Note: this article was updated to include comments from Mayor Mick Wolfe.