Mackenzie divided over fate of peacocks

A Brisbane suburb has been torn in two over what to do with a rapidly growing flock of peacocks. Some insist they need to be culled while one resident has claimed six as pets to protect them.

Peacocks have become a divisive issue in the small community of Mackenzie. Picture: Remko Bijker

PEACOCKS have split a tight-knit community in Brisbane’s south as the flock’s population soars with residents torn between calls to reduce the population or leave the birds alone.

The small suburb of Mackenzie is again gripped by a heated debate about what to do about its unique colony, which has grown to roughly 30 birds.

It dates back to the early 1900s when they were brought to Brisbane from Europe by a pioneer who wanted to use them as game on his farmstead in the area.

Cr Ryan Murphy (Chandler) said complaints of the fowls’ noise, defecation and damage to bushland were rising while he had recently tabled a petition from thirteen households in Plantation Place to have them removed.

Other residents are fiercely protective of the birds — in 2013 a bird that was a “particular troublemaker” was removed by the council, sparking an uproar from residents.

Peacocks have become a divisive issue in the small community of Mackenzie. Picture: Remko Bijker

Cr Murphy has launched a Peacocks Attitudes Survey with three options on how to deal with the birds — a selective cull to reduce the population, remove the flock entirely or let them be.

The survey’s early results show an almost even split: 51 per cent want the council to take action to reduce or remove the population, while 49 per cent want the birds left alone.

“Some people are at wits end over the peacocks, claiming they’ve brought on sleep deprivation and family breakdown, while others can’t believe we are even contemplating their removal,” he said.

“This is not going to be an easy decision, one way or another.”

Remko Bijker loves the birds so much he feeds them, going through about 1kg of birdseed a week, and has registered himself as an owner of six of the peacocks in the flock.

“When the farm was subdivided, there were notes that there were peacocks and wild birds in the area and certain trees must be left for them,” he said.

He said the peacock colony was part of the suburb’s identity: “We have families drive past and take photos, we have people come here just to see the peacocks”.

He acknowledged the birds defecating could be a problem but said there were methods to deter them, including mothballs, dummy owls and fake snakes.

“They don’t attack children, they’re part of the environment, they’ve been there way before us, and they’re just nice to have around,” he said.

Peacocks in Mackenzie. Picture: Remko Bijker

“I have a phone full of photos of them.”

Mackenzie Bushcare Group leader Greg Wellard said peacocks, which were not native birds, could damage bushland by roosting and scratching for food.

He added they were omnivorous and posed a threat to native insects, lizards and small mammals.

Mr Wellard said the birds were still on the western side of Mt Petrie Rd but if they crossed into remnant bushland at Mt Petrie Road Reserve they would “definitely become a problem”.

“The way the numbers appear to be increasing, it’s just a matter of time,” he said.

Mr Wellard said peacock populations were an issue that popped up in small communities across Australia and all over the world, including New Zealand and America.

“It’s one of these complex community issues that seems to divide a community, it’s such a small thing but the community gets polarised,” he said.

He predicted the petition and survey in Mackenzie would have the same results as elsewhere: “a divided community”.

“The answer for that is for people to sit down and talk,” he said.

He said residents, in collaboration with the Brisbane City Council, should create a population management plan to deal with the birds.

His preference would be for the council to limit the number of males and remove the females and that the management plan could include replacing male birds as they die.

“That will make the population static and people will still be able to enjoy looking at the birds,” he said.

He said the unwanted birds could be rehomed in zoos or sent to peacocks farms.

Cr Murphy’s Peacock Attitudes Survey will close on December 6.