Noisy, destructive birds must go

Meanwhile some people do enjoy cockatoos like this guy at the Sydney Botanical Gardens. Image by Andy Tyler Residents say they have spent thousands of dollars on repairs and are sick of being woken at dawn by flocks of cockatoos flying around their homes.

Lorne resident Pam Plum questioned what the Surf Coast Shire was doing to solve the bird problem.

"I think (the birds) should be culled," Mrs Plum said. "When there is a plague of rabbits or kangaroos, farmers are allowed to shoot them."

Greens supporter and councillor Eve Fisher said cockatoos were causing headaches near Taylor Park in Torquay.

Cr Fisher said she would not usually support a cull.

"But at the same time if that's the only solution, it might be something that might have to be looked at," she said.

Cr Fisher and Lorne councillor Clive Goldsworthy said wildlife experts would need to be consulted before any action was taken.

The shire's sustainable communities director Dennis Barker said there had been a number of complaints about the birds.

"I'm aware of that problem because I get woken up sometimes when I'm in Lorne," Mr Barker said.

The council has consulted the Department of Sustainability and Environment about the bird problem.

A shire statement said cockatoos were unprotected wildlife and therefore could be shot and trapped.

But DSE Landcare notes suggest there is no evidence that killing cockatoos would prevent damage.

"Destruction of birds may result in a short-term change in behaviour," a DSE document read.

"But this can also be achieved at less expense by other means."

Some residents have resorted to using lasers to scare away the birds.

An educational campaign is planned to stop tourists feeding birds and the Surf Coast Shire's waste department is hoping to introduce weighted bin lids.

A law banning people from feeding the birds could also be brought in.

The shire will see whether a proposed ban on bird-feeding in the Yarra Ranges council area has been successful.