Only one magpie removed by Brisbane City Council in months before Mia’s tragic death

Brisbane City Council’s response to swooping birds will be investigated after it was revealed only one magpie had been removed in the months before the tragic death of a baby girl.

Brisbane City Council has only removed one magpie in the months leading up to the tragic death of a baby girl, despite hundreds of calls about swooping birds from residents each year.

Brisbane City Council yesterday wouldn’t say when it was first told about a menacing magpie linked to the death of baby Mia in Holland Park on Sunday, or how many complaints were made about the animal prior to its relocation.

But it can be revealed prior to the removal of the rogue bird at Glindemann Park on Monday, there had only been one other recent removal of a magpie, which was in Brisbane LGA in Tingalpa in September 2020.

A magpie repeatedly attacking cyclists along Sandford Street at Toowong. Picture: Liam Kidston

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has vowed to get answers on Sunday’s tragic incident after launching an investigation into the council’s management of aggressive magpies, which could take weeks to finalise.

Cr Schrinner said he was “not aware” how many complaints were received or when the council had first been made aware of the magpie in Glindemann Park.

“That is information that I am not currently aware of and that is why I have asked the CEO to provide the actual facts about what has happened, when complaints were made and what was done with those complaints,” Cr Schrinner said.

The investigation the Lord Mayor announced will focus on what complaints were received, what action was taken and whether Council officers can amend their responses in future.

It will also include a review of how council officers manage bird swooping complaints.

Sarah Timms with three-year-old George who was swooped by a magpie in Aspley at the weekend. Picture: Tara Croser.

It comes as an Aspley mother claims she tried to report an aggressive magpie to Brisbane City Council after an incident with her young son – but her complaint fell on deaf ears.

Sarah Timms told The Courier-Mail she was told she would need to hire a private contractor to remove a magpie that had pecked her three-year-old on the neck, drawing blood.

Ms Timms said she had taken her two boys, aged 3 and 11, down to Harry Kirby Park during lockdown on Saturday when the bird swooped.

“It wasn’t serious but it’s just frightening, he’s so little,” Ms Timms said.

With the park so close to Aspley State School, Ms Timms decided to contact Brisbane City Council to report the magpie.

“I called the council, who told me all they can do is put up a sign warning of a swooping bird,” she said.

“They told me that I’d have to call the State Government as there was nothing else they could do.”

A magpie warning sign at Harry Kirby Park in Aspley. Picture: Tara Croser.

But when Ms Timms called the Queensland Government’s 13 QGOV call service, she was put onto a ranger who told her she would need to contact a private contractor to have the bird removed, or go back to council.

Council confirmed a call was received by its contact centre from an Aspley resident.

However they said the location of the swooping incident was not disclosed.

Brisbane City Standards Chair Kim Marx said the council receives hundreds of notifications about swooping birds each year and encouraged residents to contact the council.

“Along with proactively informing people about swooping during nesting season, Council assesses these notifications and erects warning signs where it is appropriate,” she said.

“As a result, almost 300 additional signs have been erected over the past two years.

“Only in rare instances do birds become aggressive and cause harm.

“When this occurs, Council engages an expert with a species-specific permit issued by the Department of Environment to assess the risk and remove the bird, if required.”

Magpies are protected under the State Government’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 which is a matter for the State Government.