Corella Management

Corellas damage oval.jpg

Large flocks of corellas and cockatoos are a familiar sight in many regional towns. Council is working with residents and state agencies to manage impacts in a responsible, non-lethal way.

During summer and early autumn, large numbers of cockatoos, including Long-billed Corellas, Little Corellas, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Galahs, move into our area.

This seasonal movement is driven by:

  • Reliable water sources, particularly the Wimmera River.
  • Suitable native roosting trees in and around townships.
  • Changes in farming practices, with a shift from grazing to cereal cropping providing new food sources.

Protecting native wildlife

All cockatoos and corellas in Victoria are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is an offence to harm, destroy, or control these birds without appropriate authorisation from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). 

These birds are:

  • Highly intelligent
  • Long-lived
  • Quick to adapt to deterrents and environmental changes

This makes long-term management complex and requires carefully planned approaches.

What management actions are available to residents?

Management options within townships are limited, particularly where noise or safety is a concern.

Some deterrents recommended in the State Government’s Corella Management Strategy include:

  • Big-eye balloons
  • Kites resembling birds of prey
  • Flashing lights
  • Recorded alarm calls
  • Scare guns
  • Bird Frite cartridges (pyrotechnic crackers)

However:

  • Noise-based deterrents are generally not suitable within town boundaries.
  • EPA Noise Control Guidelines and Victoria Police regulations apply.
  • Scare guns must be located at least 300 metres from dwellings.
  • Deterrents must be varied regularly and often used for several weeks to be effective.

What is Council doing?

Council is actively managing corella and cockatoo impacts through a range of non-lethal measures, including:

  • Cockatoo-proofing key infrastructure
  • Managing and modifying vegetation to discourage roosting
  • Pruning and maintaining damaged trees, particularly along the riverbank
  • Cleaning up debris and damaged areas
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