The geese that inhabit Soldiers’ Park are to be re-homed or removed from the park.
The Shire of Collie reached a decision to remove the geese as they have become a threat to public safety.
The Geese have been known to show aggression to children and have recently been destroying the playground foundations, an act which is costing the Shire of Collie in repair bills.
Many locals have expressed their opposition to the decision, some whom believe the geese add character to the park, and believe they are not in fact aggressive.
Other locals have spoken in favour of the Shires decision, stating that the goose colony has become too large to control and that numbers need to be reduced.
Shire of Collie acting CEO Keith Williams said that community safety was the main priority.
“The geese have shown aggression towards children and families and are damaging Shire infrastructure, which is costing the Shire money to fix,” he said.
Part of the Shires decision was also based on the fact that the colony has multiplied in the last few years and has somewhat become uncontrollable, and may continue to multiple if they are not controlled.
Collie Resident Tammi Mhaistone said that she would be disappointed if the geese were re-homed.
“The geese are definitely part of Soldiers' Park and it would be devastating to see them go. I don't remember the park without them. However, I also don't remember the park with so many before either. Is there an option to rehome the majority and leave 4 or so that are fairly quiet? I think a lot of residents will be upset if they are relocated,” she said.
Mr Williams said that the Shire endeavours to rehome or remove the geese in the safest possible way.
“In the last couple of years the numbers of geese in the park have increased dramatically, we want to remove them in a safe manner, and the rangers will be involved in this process,” he said.
“The monitoring of the geese will be an ongoing process from the Shire and the rangers.”
Mr Williams said that if the geese go on to cause harm to someone then the council will be responsible, so this is the best possible solution.
“At this stage we are just looking at reducing the numbers, and possibly not getting rid of all of them,” he said.
