Ravens to stay in City of Gosnells

From the council meeting minutes of October 26th

14.6 REVIEW OF THE QUANTITY OF AUSTRALIAN RAVENS WITHIN THE
CITY OF GOSNELLS
The following motion was proposed by Cr D Griffiths at Item 15 ‘Notices of Motion for
Consideration at the Following Meeting’ at the Ordinary Council Meeting held
12 October 2010 to be included in the agenda for the Ordinary Council Meeting on
26 October 2010 at Item 14 ‘Motions for Which Previous Notice Has Been Given’.
PROPOSED MOTION
That Council take action to reduce the number of Australian Ravens in
the City of Gosnells and to be proactive to achieve this.
REASON:
To give other species the ability to re-populate and have a better balance of species.
STAFF COMMENT:
The Director Planning & Sustainability has provided the following comment:
The Australian Raven, Corvus coronoides, is often reported as a nuisance in urban
areas, with noise, increased population and perceived predation on other native fauna
consistently highlighted. The following points assist in understanding the issue.
• The Australian Raven is a native bird to Australia, and is protected under the
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.
• Population increase in urban areas is a continent-wide phenomenon, attributed
to absence of persecution and an increased availability of food and water.
• Food availability allows for a greater hatchling survival rate, decreases reliance
on seasonal change for food, and decreased territory size, which provides
opportunity for more breeding pairs to establish.
• Studies indicate that the Raven is most likely only one of a number of factors
that contribute collectively to a decline in the numbers and distribution of native
bird, reptile and amphibian species.
Management of the Australian Raven is the responsibility of the Department of
Environment and Conservation. The Department, in the City’s experience, is not
inclined to undertake culling or similar actions to reduce Raven populations without
sufficient evidence to support such actions. The Department’s position is that there is
no conclusive evidence at this time – despite reported observations and perceptions to
the contrary – that the Raven is solely responsible for a significant impact on the
abundance of other species.
MOTION LOST
Moved Cr D Griffiths Seconded Cr C Fernandez
That Council take action to reduce the number of Australian Ravens in
the City of Gosnells and to be proactive to achieve this.
LOST 3/8
FOR: Cr J Brown, Cr D Griffiths and Cr O Searle.
AGAINST: Cr W Barrett, Cr T Brown, Cr C Fernandez, Cr L Griffiths, Cr R Hoffman,
Cr S Iwanyk, and Cr K Jones.