Bird exclusion netting not a solution for Coochie & VP jetties |
Addressing bird netting at Coochie and VP ferry terminals concerns |
On Coochiemudlo Island, residents are pushing back against the recent installation of bird exclusion netting at the ferry terminal, believing the move disrupts the delicate balance of local wildlife.
Many locals argue the netting has unintended consequences, particularly for welcome swallows that have called the area home for decades.
According to community members, the installation was completed with zero consideration for the welcome swallows wellbeing, leaving residents feeling angry and upset about the lack of transparency from council.
Kylie Francis, a key resident voice, highlighted the swallows’ longstanding presence at both the Coochiemudlo Island ferry terminal and Victoria Point, emphasizing that their role in island life extends beyond the obvious.
“There’s a sense of loss and frustration in the community,” she shared, referencing a petition that quickly gained traction among residents.
Concerns have also been raised as to whether the Council took its wildlife protection obligations seriously enough when choosing bird netting Coochiemudlo Island as a solution.
Council officials defended their decision, stating the netting was necessary to address maintenance challenges and public safety risks from bird droppings.
According to the Council, previous materials installed at the terminal deteriorated faster than expected due to the birds, resulting in increased costs for local taxpayers.
Nevertheless, not everyone accepts these explanations, and many feel alternative options could have been explored.
Some residents, including Kylie, say they haven’t seen sufficient documentation proving the scale of the problem or outlining the environmental assessment process.
They argue that more eco-friendly or less disruptive solutions could have been better explored instead of netting.
The situation recently escalated when netting at the Victoria Point terminal was reportedly vandalized, with council claiming investigations showed creating openings that allegedly allowed a swallow to become trapped when what was a more likely story, people on the jetty saw an entrapped bird in distress and tore the holes in the netting to free the trapped bird.
The Council has indicated it will continue to monitor the installations for compliance, but has shown little interest in reversing course.
For now, the issue of bird exclusion netting at Coochiemudlo Island remains unresolved, reflecting deeper questions about how best to balance public safety with respect for native wildlife. |
46 Comments
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Heaps of locals care more about the birds than the paint. Council picked the wrong hill to die on!
Swallow got trapped because of vandalism? That just makes a bad move worse. We need better ideas, not more drama!
Did they try audio deterrents or something before netting? Surely this wasn't the only idea. Birdlife always loses out.
Glad it’s at least being monitored now but hope they actually make changes if the problems keep coming up.
Trapping a swallow is exactly what the community was worried about. Sad it took something like that for council to listen, maybe.
Unless someone shows the official paperwork, I’m not convinced the droppings were THAT bad. Where’s the data?
If safety was a problem, why not just clean more often? Might cost less than installing big nets and fixing vandalism.
Some public record of consultation would be nice. All seems very 'decided behind closed doors.' More transparency please.
I feel for the folks doing the cleaning but these nets just look awful. Coochie won't be the same if the birds don't come back.
If council really wants to balance things, maybe a community group could help monitor and clean? No need to slap ugly nets everywhere.
It’s so weird we have to fight for birds that everyone loves to see. Coochie is special because of them.
Honestly, swallows have a role in keeping bugs down. Move them and watch the mozzies increase. Short-sighted!
Cost is a legit concern but not if it means hurting wildlife. Council really needs a biologist, not just a budget manager.
I miss seeing the welcome swallows every morning off the ferry. They're harmless little birds, and my kids always looked for their nests. Hope there's a rethink.
What even is 'bird exclusion netting'? Just another name for cutting corners if you ask me.
Those swallows eat mozzies and bugs all summer. Drive them out and watch the pests take over!
Always surprises me how quickly Council blames cost. Sometimes the quick fix is more expensive (and less popular) in the end!
I was at Victoria Point last weekend, saw the damaged net. If swallows are getting trapped, that’s a clear fail of the plan right there.
Wonder who supplies the netting? Council contracts need more transparency. Fixing nature shouldn’t just be about lowest bids.
Would love to see council actually meet with residents, not just send out statements after the fact.
Netting at Victoria Point got trashed already. Doesn’t seem like it’s holding up. Maybe just a waste of money in the end?
I'm all for safety and clean terminals but netting just seems excessive. At least try other solutions first. Did anyone even suggest the swallow boxes?
If the issue really is maintenance, how about working with wildlife groups? Maybe a partial solution, not covering the whole terminal?
Council acts so quick when it’s about money! Wildlife gets sidelined every time. Swallows deserve better.
This is why people are losing trust, so little consultation, and suddenly the swallows are gone. Gutted for the birds.
The netting's ugly and I doubt it's going to lower maintenance as much as they say. Eventually birds will nest elsewhere or worse, get stuck.
Council always claims 'public safety' but never shows any real numbers or risk assessments. Wish they’d share everything.
Council says safety risk, but has anyone ever slipped there? I think they're just tired of paying for paint.
Swallow droppings are a pain if you walk under the rafters, but I've always liked seeing the birds nesting. Maybe there's a way to clean more often instead?
Honestly, we pay rates here and they forget about actual locals. I’d like a look at those so-called cost reports.
Feels like council already made up their mind before anyone had a say. Looks ugly too. Wish they'd worked with bird people.
I totally agree with Kylie, swallows aren’t a problem, they’re part of the experience. Sad to see them pushed out.
I don't get why people vandalised the netting though. That doesn't help anyone. Glad no birds were seriously hurt but come on.
What happened to putting up deterrents that don’t actually exclude birds? There are sound devices or simple spikes, no?
I'd rather pay a bit more in maintenance than see the swallows lose their home. They're part of what makes the island special.
It’s not vandalism to be angry, but letting a bird get trapped isn’t the way to change minds. Talks would go further.
Is this just another example of 'fix it quick and hope no one notices'? Wish they'd been honest about the costs and the process.
My kids loved watching the swallows at the terminal. Now there’s just netting. Doesn’t feel like home anymore.
Is there proof the droppings were really that bad? Seems like overkill and not very welcoming to wildlife either.
Pretty sad watching the swallows circling trying to figure out where their nests went. There has to be a compromise.
I know cleaning bird droppings isn't fun, but surely there's a less harsh way to manage this than trapping the birds out (or in, apparently). Might just drive the problem elsewhere.
If birds get caught in them, how is that humane?
Feels like council just went ahead with what suits them, not the island, or the birds!
The swallows have been around longer than the ferry terminal itself. Feels like overkill putting nets everywhere. Did they even do a proper bird survey?
Not sure why it's so hard for council to actually talk with us before they decide stuff like this. The swallows have never bothered me at the terminal!
Honestly, the swallows have been around longer than any of us. I get the mess is annoying but surely there’s a better way than shoving up ugly nets.