Residential bins across the Surf Coast will be fitted with special devices designed to prevent cockatoos from ‘dumpster-diving’ into household waste in their search for an easy meal, creating mess and putting their own health at risk.
Dubbed ‘Operation Lockatoo’, the program will see all bins with green, yellow or red lids fitted with either a Litter Lock or a Bin M8.
The shire-wide roll-out follows what the shire said was a successful trial of the mechanisms in Lorne, during which public complaints about litter fell significantly.
Both of the devices are Australian designed and made. Litterlock, in particular, has a strong local link – it was developed by Torquay’s Colin Cox and his business partners Jayson Moran and Joe Mawson.
Bin M8 was created in Castlemaine.
Surf Coast Councillor Gary Allan said the locks would deny “cockies” access to bins, but would automaticaly disengage during rubbish collection.
“We encourage residents to help ensure that the fitting rollout runs smoothly,” he said.
“People who have downloaded Council’s SCRRApp waste app will be able to receive notification when locks will be fitted in their area.”
Surf Coast Shire has been involved in a long-running battle with hungry cockatoos, with a number of devices trialed over the past seven years with limited success.
Cockatoos are particularly intelligent and not only learn quickly how to outsmart human attempts to thwart their hungry ways – they also pass on those newly acquired skills to their feathered friends.
The council said Litterlocks and Bin M8s will be fitted on a street-by-street basis over a number of months. It said residents should put bins out as usual for Monday and Tuesday collections, with the exception of public holidays, but leave them out until 3.30pm on Tuesdays for the mechanism-fitting team.
More information about ‘Operation Lockatoo’ can be found at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/binlock
