Bee poop a sticky issue for residents

A PROBLEM with bee poop has residents abuzz at one southern Tasmanian town.

Kingborough Council is investigating whether to introduce a bylaw to control bees in the area after concerns about their toilet habits.

At its full council meeting earlier this week, Councillor Paul Chatterton asked for staff to investigate the feasibility of a bylaw concerning beekeeping in residential areas.

Cr Chatterton said he made the request after residents at Kettering voiced their concerns about the impacts of bees in the area.

“We have had a real problem at Kettering and I have had numerous complaints about 40 beehives being on a residential property in Kettering,” he said.

“The bees, when they leave the nest in the morning, come out of the nest and poop. When they go to the hills and feed, they poop before they go back into the hive.

“They are making a huge mess on boats and cars and washing.”

Cr Chatterton said he spoke to staff members, who informed him there was no Kingborough policy or bylaw relating to bees — but some other councils did have one.

“I also spoke to the State Government and there is no State Government bylaw affecting bees, but there is a code of conduct that is put out by the Australian Beekeepers Association on what should happen and also a recommendation of the number of hives that should be on a square metre.”

Acting Kingborough general manager Tony Ferrier said council staff would look into the issue.

“I can commit the council to conducting the investigations into the feasibility of a by-law provision [on bees],” he said.