Outraged locals slam council after it told them dozens of 'feral' ducks will have to be killed if residents keep feeding them
- Residents of Windermere Bay, near Launceston, are petitioning their council
- They are concerned council will 'eradicate' duck population following letter
- However council said there are no plans to 'eradicate' but want to stop feedings
Residents of a Tasmanian town are desperate to save dozens of 'feral' ducks after the local council told homeowners to stop feeding the 'nuisances' and take steps to 'remove or eradicate them'.
Around 200 people have signed a petition to Glenorchy City Council to save the ducks around their homes in Windermere Bay, near Launceston.
The council said the animals are damaging and 'fouling' private and public areas and asked residents not to feed them.
It also stated that they pose a traffic hazard after several were killed by motor vehicles.
Duck-loving residents are desperate to save dozens of the 'feral' animals after council sent out a letter to homeowners not to feed the 'nuisances' and take steps to 'remove or eradicate them' (stock image)
The letter refers to the council's Animal Management By-law 2000.
The 'pest management' clause of the by-law states: 'An owner or occupier of a property where pest animals are present, excluding stray animals, must take reasonable action to remove or eradicate them.'
Hope Rowley, who started the petition, told Daily Mail Australia she felt outraged by the letter.
'I am upset because the claims are frivolous yet the Glenorchy City Council cited laws that make provisions for their capture, removal, eradication,' she said.
'I have lived here all my life and the ducks are such gentle and intelligent creatures that bring no harm to anybody or anything.'
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She said the ducks formed a significant part of her childhood in the area.
'I started the petition and am happy with how many signatures we are receiving,' she said.
Other residents revealed why they signed the petition.
'I'm signing because I grow up in the area and the ducks never bothered me one bit. My family still live in the street, and they love the ducks there are nowhere near as many as there was,' one person said.
'You hardly see them crossing the road now and only see them in front yards sometimes. I don't know who has the problem but as far as most people living in that street don't have a problem. The ducks need to be left alone.'
The letter sent to residents by council said that the animals are damaging and 'fouling' private and public areas and asked residents not to feed them
Another said: 'I'd love a duck to come into my property. They eat nasty things in the garden too. Leave these gorgeous animals alone.'
Others said they loved taking their children to visit the birds.
However, Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston told The Mercury there were 'no plans whatsoever' to remove or eradicate the ducks from Claremont.
'Unfortunately, when the ducks feed on properties, they come up on the road, which can be hazardous,' Ms Johnston said.
Hope Rowley, who started the petition, told Daily Mail Australia she felt outraged by the letter she received
'The ducks could also come in contact with domestic animals, and they can create a nuisance in terms of droppings.
'The council is happy with the ducks being on the bay — they are a feature down there, and are really beautiful.'
She said people are encouraged to go and look at the animals but not feed them.
Ms Rowley was less than impressed with Mayor Johnston's 'dimissive' response.
'She states that the eradication provisions were merely to provide context,' Ms Rowley said.
'Myself and members of the community asked her to formally put her statement in writing whereby she claims the council will not eradicate the ducks, but she has been unwilling to speak to us. '
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Glenorchy City Council for comment.
