By Casey Neill
A “squawk box” is broadcasting bird sounds across Harmony Square to deter seagulls.
The Journal received reports in recent weeks that a $60,000 light system installed last September to tackle Dandenong’s seagull plague was no longer keeping the birds at bay.
But Greater Dandenong Council’s city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said the council was satisfied with the equipment’s effectiveness.
“Council is currently trialling a device called a Squawk box in the Harmony Square area,” he said.
“This box periodically emits sounds like those made by birds that are predators of seagulls.
“The purpose is to discourage seagulls from landing and staying in these areas.”
Mr Bosman said that if found to be effective, the method might be used in other areas where the reflector-based system was not appropriate.
Complaints about swooping seagulls causing havoc first surfaced in July last year.
Ready access to food and breeding space was deemed the cause.
Some Dandenong CBD workers reported being swooped while trying to get into their cars, and removing baby seagulls that had nested in their wheel arches during the day before driving home.
The council installed UV exclusion systems on top of the Dandenong Civic Centre, the Drum Theatre and the Thomas and Walker streets multi-deck car parks in September.
“Council also encourages other building owners in the Dandenong activity centre to take similar steps if they want to effectively and humanely manage seagull problems on their buildings,” Mr Bosman said.
Tullamarine Airport and the Epping Fruit Market use the same solar-operated systems.
“These systems are designed to emit intense light that birds interpret in the same way humans visualise fire,” Mr Bosman said.
“The birds don’t like it and therefore stay away. This is a permanent and long-term solution to the seagull problem.”
The council also removed nests found on its buildings and urged other CBD users to remove access to food and breeding sites.
