Corellas have returned to Kilmore Golf Club, wreaking havoc to the course’s greens and fairways which are in the best condition they have been in years.
The club has obtained authority from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to use scare tactics to move the birds away from the golf course and is investigating the use of drones to deter the corellas from landing on greens and fairways.
President Bea Lay said about 30 corellas were currently calling the course home, damaging the first fairway and eighth green.
The club is in the process of applying for a public place permit to fire non-lethal salt pellets to scare the birds away.
“Following what the community meeting suggested, we’re letting the public know what we’re doing so there aren’t any false rumours and people will understand we’re doing our best to move the corellas on,” she said.
Last year, the club was loaned four ‘eagle eyes’ from DELWP, but is currently unable to access them, meaning it has resorted to placing reflective streamers around the edge of greens.
The club has also tried using artificial snakes, owls and cats, all of which failed to deter the intelligent birds.
“It’s just something we have to live with, and I hope other people hope to live with them too,” Ms Lay said.
“We don’t want to kill any, but we want to maintain the golf course because the volunteers have worked so hard.”
The club is asking for anyone who owns and flies a drone and would like to volunteer their services to contact the club on 5782 1123 or at info@kilmoregolfclub.com.au.
