mmg.com.au

Corellas are in plague proportions and causing environmental issues along the Tocumwal foreshore.

Resident Gary Mexted said the destructive species were a pest and had destroyed many trees along the Murray River.

‘‘The numbers have to be decreased — it’s as simple as that,’’ Mr Mexted said.

He made a presentation at the Berrigan Shire Council meeting last week, requesting the council take action.

Mr Mexted suggested the council supply ammunition to registered game shooters who hold the appropriate licences.

It was an idea the majority of councillors disagreed with.

‘‘I’ve seen deterioration of the trees (due to the corellas gnawing away at them), some of the tops have died,’’ he said.

Mr Mexted is passionate about the preservation of the Tocumwal foreshore and feels the council needs to take whatever steps are necessary to address the issue.

Berrigan Shire councillor Colin Jones said the council had decided ‘‘to take more action’’.

‘‘We will be encouraging more people to get permits to shoot them on their own property,’’ Cr Jones said.

‘‘We will also be investigating the use of more scare products (aimed at moving the corellas on from the Tocumwal foreshore area).

‘‘I definitely see it as a real problem along the foreshore, they have split the tops of the trees.

‘‘They are in the tens of thousands.’’

Berrigan Shire Council technical services director Fred Exton said corellas could not be exterminated — simply moved on.

Tocumwal Grain supplier Grain Corporation spokesman Brendan Simpson also presented at the meeting.

‘‘We’ve spent $200000 on bird netting our bunkers,’’ Mr Simpson said.

‘‘We can’t shoot them, due to safety. They are in plague proportion.

‘‘We are happy to work with the council but we can’t shoot them — it’s as simple as that.’’