Cr Bernie Masters called for the Busselton Shire CEO to request the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to determine whether the white cockatoos (correllas) are a species native to the South West of WA, or whether they are exotic.

Further to this determination, Cr Master moved that if the correllas were determined to be exotic (and not just range extensions of WA species which naturally migrate to the Busselton area) that the ‘CEO request the DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Food to take appropriate action to humanely cull the birds so that they don’t pose a threat to the natural environment’.

Cr Masters drew an analogy to the Rainbow Lorikeet population that plagues the Perth metropolitan area and is now subject to a Government eradication program. This pest population started in the 1960’s with the accidental release of six birds from an aviary. It has now grown to around 22,000 birds and has done significant damage.

While it’s been a contentious issue out on the street, Cr Masters’ motions saw very little opposition from the 12 council members present.

Cr David Binks voiced concern about unintended implications that may be associated with a culling process. He sought to amend the wording of Cr Masters’ motion to soften the final axe should DEP findings determine the correllas to be an exotic species.

However, majority vote saw the original motion stand firm, and the council will defer to the appropriate agencies for their determination on the issue. Subject to departmental findings, the council will support a culling program.