Community feedback sought on draft Peafowl Management Plan


Released 16/04/2018

The ACT Government is seeking feedback on its draft Peafowl Management Plan (the Plan) that aims to mitigate the negative impacts feral peafowl have on the community, environment and economy.

Director of City Presentation at Transport Canberra and City Services, Stephen Alegria, said community concerns regarding the feral peafowl population date back to 2003.

“The ACT Government has been receiving complaints regarding the feral peafowl population in the inner south since 2003 with the majority of complaints relating to traffic safety concerns, noise (particularly during the breeding season), droppings and damage to property,” said Mr Alegria.

“To date, residents in the Narrabundah area have been most affected by peafowl however a small population of peafowl has also been identified in Pialligo. Peafowl population numbers swell significantly during breeding season and it is important that we implement strategies to address the community’s concerns.”

The ACT Government has previously responded to the recorded complaints as they arose with trapping and relocation processes taking place in 2013 and 2015. This strategy will provide a more formal process to control the urban peafowl population in the medium to longer term.

“Following the peafowl trapping and relocation program undertaken in 2015, the ACT Government committed to implementing a more strategic approach to the management of the ACT’s feral peafowl populations. This Plan has been developed to address ongoing community concerns,” said Mr Alegria.

“A range of management options have been considered as outlined in the Plan, and it is proposed to implement an annual trapping program to reduce feral peafowl numbers. We understand the negative impacts that peafowl have on local residents, however they also pose a substantial threat to our native flora and fauna.

“Peafowl compete with native birds for habitat and they feed on our native plants and animals. They are also known to disturb native vegetation and spread weeds. Whilst this impact may be minimal in areas where the peafowl population are already established, if we don’t take action to manage the feral peafowl population now, they can spread into neighbouring nature reserves where the subsequent impacts will be significant,” said Mr Alegria.

To view the Plan and have your say, visit www.tccs.act.gov.au/peafowl. Consultation on the Plan is open from Monday 16 April 2018 and closes Friday 8 June 2018 and Mr Alegria encourages all ACT residents to have their say.

“I encourage all ACT residents to visit our website and participate in the consultation, whether you are directly affected by the feral peafowl populations or not. This is an issue that indirectly affects us all. Our nature reserves are a big part of Canberra’s identity and it is important that we work together to ensure they are protected and preserved for future generations,” Mr Alegria concluded.

- Statement ends -

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