Residents in Yarra Avenue are up in arms over the fact someone has put chicken wire on all the gutter drains, which could not only harm wildlife but prevent and block proper drainage.
A concerned resident, who wishes to remain nameless, said that those responsible, are “thinking you are caring for the plover chicks with total disregard of other wildlife and the consequences of that chicken wire falling into the drains.
“An adult water dragon needed to be cut free on the afternoon of August 16 from extensive tangle in that chicken wire,” the resident said.
“I am sure you [the person allegedly responsible] saw that happening through your window. Have you seen how the wire you put in place is slowly sloping into the drains?
“Or what a catastrophe that would cause for marine wildlife?
“I removed what I could and have rung Port Macquarie Hastings Council for further action.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Group Manager Infrastructure Operations Gary Randall said, “Council is aware of the unauthorised alterations to the stormwater drains on Yarra Ave after completing a drainage inspection of the area last week.
“Seven of the drains on the street have been covered in chicken wire for reasons unknown and this type of activity is not supported by Council.
“Council would like to remind residents that any modifications to public infrastructure are not permitted without first gaining permission from Council.
“Council staff will return to the site later this week to remove the chicken wire.”
One resident said they had removed the wire from six drains and only stopped when they had no more room in their bin.
“It is believed that a ‘well intentioned’ resident has placed the wire there so as to prevent the small plover chicks from falling into the drains,” a resident said.
“Residents have had to rescue a large water lizard that was entangled in the wire and they are concerned that the wire will fall into the drains and be washed into the river or ocean, where it will then become a danger to both humans and sea life.”
