A report on the issue of pigeons inhabiting buildings around Lithgow’s Main Street has come to council, recommending council conduct an education program informing business owners how to discourage pigeons from living on their property. 

It summarised a variety of strategies used to manage pigeon populations including shooting, trapping and exclusion strategies like destroying nests and making sure all bins are lidded. 

“In recent years it has become evident that the pigeon population in the Lithgow CBD area has increased to nuisance levels particularly evident in warmer months,” the report states.

“Whilst the responsibilities for pigeon control will mostly fall to private property owners, the management of feral pigeons in the central business district (CBD) is an issue that needs to be explored.”

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It stated that Bathurst Council had instigated a joint management campaign with business owners, which involved setting traps (council contributed half of the cost of traps) and shooting programs at night with an air rifle four times a year. 

At the time, there was some conjecture as to how successful Bathurst’s program would be in the long-term. 

Lithgow Council staff estimated that such a program would cost $1000 for each business in the Lithgow CBD that implements trapping, and from then on $6000 per year for the quarterly shooting program. 

“Both participation and financial contribution by private property owners would be central to any program succeeding,” the report stated.

“However, in current economic circumstances gaining that ‘buy in’ may be a challenge.

“Council participation in preparing a strategy and conducting programs would also be a challenge based on limited financial and staff resources.”

The report suggests council carry out a “limited program” consisting of an education campaign, “to advise property owners on techniques such as exclusion (netting, bird spikes, gutter guards); nest destruction; covering bins; and refraining from feeding pigeons.”

Councillors will vote on the recommendation on Monday, July 23, at the council meeting. 

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