Moyne Shire put controlling numbers of the birds on the agenda at its January council meeting after complaints about damage being done to Port Fairy’s cricket ovals by up to 3000 corellas.

A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said council did not see corellas as a problem in Warrnambool and “there are no plans to reduce their number here”.

Glenelg Shire confirmed it had begun using “alternative methods” – which The Standard understands to be firearms – to control corella populations at Henty Park after obtaining a permit from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

The corellas had been causing damage to the venue’s playing surface, a council statement said.

Non-lethal methods for managing wildlife causing damage must be tried before a permit allowing lethal action is granted, according to DELWP.

DELWP program manager of compliance operations Mark Breguet said permits were required to scare, disperse, trap or destroy wildlife.

“Applicants are required to provide details of non-lethal methods that have been trialled to manage the wildlife problem as part of the permit application,” Mr Breguet.

“DELWP will only issue a (permit) for lethal control when practical non-lethal control options have been exhausted.

“Management options for corellas vary, depending on the damage being caused, the location of the site being impacted and the size of the population.”

Mr Breguet said DELWP would not provide specific details about permits that had been issued.

Corangamite Shire environment and emergency manager Lyall Bond said the corellas were causing “pockets of problems” in various towns.

“We’re watching in key areas to see what damage is being done to council assets, including historic trees,” he said.

He said some Corangamite residents had expressed concerns.