Derwent Valley Council to investigate geese deaths at Tynwald Park

UPDATED: Two ducks and 14 geese have been killed by chemically laced bait at a popular family park after complaints about bird poo were made to the Derwent Valley Council.

Derwent Valley Council general manager Greg Winton is demanding an explanation and conducting a review into the deaths of several geese. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS/FILE

TWO ducks and 14 geese have been killed by chemically laced bait at a popular family park after complaints about bird poo were made to the Derwent Valley Council.

Councillors and council management yesterday denied any involvement in the actions that led to the cull and said further inquiries into the process and decision making would be conducted with council officers during the week.

MORE NEWS:

NEW TOWN WAREHOUSE BLAZE DESTROYS CARAVANS AND TRAILERS

MAGISTRATE SAM MOLLARD RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS ON THE BENCH

INTIMIDATION TACTICS USED IN NEW SCAM

Derwent Valley Council said no native species were destroyed during the termination operation on Friday.

“A number of complaints from the community about excessive bird droppings, together with ongoing damage to the playing field over the last couple of months, led to council officers discussing how to remedy the situation at Tynwald Park,” the statement read.

“One idea canvassed was to have a number of geese safely relocated to another part of the valley.

“After consulting with a veterinarian about sedative options, a council officer subsequently determined that the idea was not viable, determining to engage a pest management company to have the target geese humanely destroyed.”

Derwent Valley Mayor Ben Shaw last night told the Sunday Tasmanian he was “officially speechless” and still trying to wrap his head around what had occurred.

“I can’t understand how somebody would make that choice,” he said.

“We’re going to get to the bottom of it. We need to get to the bottom of it.

“It doesn’t seem like a logical decision to make, and on behalf of council, I would like to apologise if this has caused anyone distress.”

Councillor Paul Belcher said council staff were generally not able to make those types of decisions alone because they did not have permission to pay contractors without authorisation.

He said the loss of the geese would be felt across the community.

“Lots of families love to feed the geese and ducks. They were a big attraction for our younger generations, like they are at Richmond,” Cr Belcher said.

“I will be working hard to get the answers over the weekend and next week to make sure someone is held accountable for this inhumane act.”

According to the Derwent Valley Council’s website, Tynwald Park is a popular place for family barbecues and picnics.

Some other facilities include a soccer and football oval, fitness equipment, cricket practice nets, public toilets and children's play equipment.

[e-mail]