The City of Bunbury are continuing with a control program in a bid to reduce a pest that has been causing increasing damage around the region.
Little corellas have a distinctive call, are considered a pest and are not native to Bunbury or the South West of WA.
The birds damage vegetation, infrastructure and property while also competing with native species for nesting hollows and food resources.
The City of Bunbury has recognised corellas are a nuisance to the community with an estimated population size of 1500.
An active control program is being undertaken under conditions of a permit obtained from the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
More than 40 residents surrounding Horseshoe Lake in East Bunbury expressed strong concern at a recent community gathering over the ongoing noise issue caused by the birds roosting in close proximity to their homes.
With residents complaining the birds had been causing them stress due to sleepless nights and damage to their properties costing hundreds of dollars to repair.
Mayor Gary Brennan said this was a difficult issue to manage.
“No one likes to cull animals but this is a serious issue that left unmanaged will likely result in ongoing and increasing issues for the community of Bunbury,” he said.
“It is part of a broader regional problem that needs to be managed responsibly, sensitively and humanely.”
The City is liaising with other affected landholders including the Southern Ports Authority regarding the control of the birds and is investigating ways to disperse the birds from problem areas.
A Corella coordination group has also been formed by the Western Australian Local Government Association with support of DPAW to address the issue at a broad scale and includes representatives from affected rural and metropolitan local governments.
