Residents quack it over council’s refusal to protect ducks Residents

ST LEONARDS residents are planning to make their own warning signs after council refused to support their request to protect ducks and geese from oncoming traffic.

A variety of waterbirds including ducks and geese use St Leonards Lake and the surrounding reserve, and some are killed as a result of a collision with a vehicle.

Local residents want duck warning signs installed on Murradoc Road and other roads near St Leonards Lake, but the City of Greater Geelong has declined to help.

“Traffic warning signs are designed to alert drivers to hazards on or near the road reserve that may cause serious injury or death to humans,” the council stated.

“While all drivers should avoid hitting any animal on the road (including ducks and geese), a collision with a bird is not likely to cause serious injury or death to humans. It is for this reason that there are no ‘duck’ warning signs included in the Australian or VicRoads standards.”

The town’s local Facebook page has attracted much discussion and support for the warning signs, with Bonnie saying she had picked up injured birds struck by cars in front of children waiting for the school bus.

“Kids were very upset with the devastation of about 10 dead seagulls,” she said.

“It would have been much worse if it had been larger birds.”

Rachel said warning signs were needed to protect all the little baby ducks getting around, while Julie urged everyone to directly email councillors.

“It is obvious they don’t care for ducks and geese or the traumatised humans who accidentally run over them because there was no warning signs,” she said.

“I see duck crossing warning signs in other council areas all the time.”

Suggestions were made by locals to start a petition, make the signs themselves, or contact councillors personally.

The council also stated that the area around St Leonards Lake had been assessed for a variety of road hazards that required signage, and that the it would be installing “Children/Playground” warning signs on Cole Street and McLeod Street near the playground equipment on both of these roads to alert drivers to the potential presence of children in the area.