Gympie Regional Council rejects Jesse New removing Lake Alford geese

Council and the RSPCA have both responded to a man’s plan to relocate ‘domestic’ geese from the popular lake amid backlash from the community.

Gympie Regional Council says it never approved a Gympie man’s plans to rehome six “domestic” geese and one duck from Lake Alford.

Jesse New told The Gympie Times on Thursday (August 19) he had council approval to safely remove the birds from the Monkland duckponds and give them the attention they needed at his own property.

“I realise they look pretty down there but they aren’t supposed to be there; they’re supposed to be at a home where they’re loved and cared for,” Mr New said.

“All of the geese that are currently there have been dumped by someone of the public because they either didn’t want them or because they thought it was a better home for them but it’s not.”

The Lake Alford geese that were going to be rehomed by Jesse New, until his proposal was shut down by Gympie council.

Gympie Regional Council CEO Shane Gray responded to the claims, saying council did not support the animals being removed from the lake.

“Gympie Regional Council does not support the removal of wildlife at Lake Alford,” he said.

“If a person is concerned about the wellbeing or welfare of an animal, please contact the RSPCA.”

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An RSPCA Queensland spokesperson said the organisation was “saddened” by the number of animals dumped at Lake Alford, but the issue rested with council.

“We are of course happy to work with council to see this situation resolved for the sake of the animals and the community,” the spokesperson said.

“If people need to rehome the geese or any other animal for that matter, we are here to help, so they should be contacting us for assistance rather than abandoning them.”

The Lake Alford geese that were going to be rehomed by Jesse New, until his proposal was shut down by council.

Mixed opinions on the issue have been expressed by Facebook users, with many calling for the geese to be left alone.

“They are thriving where they are, they have lots of friends and lots of people interacting with them, leave them be,” Karina Foley said on Facebook.

“They are an unexpected beauty to see at the ponds.”

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One resident backed Mr New up by saying they would be better off in a loving home.

“Take the geese and give them a better life in a farm environment,” Debbie Seal said.

“No doubt some other scumbag will dump some more there real soon.”