Take a gander!
Geese run a mok at Rotorua Lakefront
Take a gander— a group of unrepentant undesirables are causing disruption near Rotorua’s Lakefront, holding up traffic and defecating on footpaths.
A gaggle of about 11 geese which usually congregate close to the waterfront have taken up part-time residence near the corner of Lake Rd and Tūtānekai St and one nearby business manager says there has been a “total lack of responsibility” about what to do with the birds.
However, the Rotorua Lakes Council says the geese may have “migrated” due to the reduced number of people at the Lakefront.
Ryan Gray, who works nearby, said the geese crossed the road a lot and cars were forced to stop to avoid running them down.
Hesaid the feathered foes had been “a source of entertainment” for most nearby workers for a couple of weeks.
“From my office window I have seen them sit downin front of cars and not move, cars beeping and swerving.”
Hesaid it would be “stink” if someone accidentally ran one over.
“I do wonder if [the council] considered it with the Lakefront [redevelopment].”
Nearby business manager Barry Mabey had also seen the fowl gang standing on the road and defecating on the footpath.
Hesaid he had contacted the Rotorua Lakes Council, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Department of Conservation (DOC) about the problem and “none want to take responsibility”. “It’s not the geese’s fault, it’s just the [Lakefront] development that’s been going on.”
Mabey said the issue had been going on for about three weeks.
Hehad been working at his business for three years and the birds had always stayed at the Lakefront until recently.
He believed it was a district council issue “as they’re doing the development”. “It’s a total lack of responsibility.”
Doc senior adviser Herb Christophers said the department had “never had and never will have” responsibility for domestic geese as it was not a native species.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity manager Greg Corbett said common domestic geese such as those on Lake Rd were not classified as a pest under the council’s regional pest management plan.
“Therefore [the regional] council have no involvement in the control or management of geese within the region”.
Hesaid the Lakeside redevelopment was the responsibility of the Rotorua Lakes Council— and the geese were located on the district council’s reserve land— and it was best placed to address the issue.
Blue Baths managing director Jo Romanes wasn’t aware of any issue with the geese for nearby cafe Terrace Kitchen, which is run by Blue Baths.
Rotorua Lakes Council sport, recreation and environment manager Rob Pitkethley said the council was aware the geese had “migrated” and that it had “caused some concern among businesses in the area”.
The council had advised businesses to continually discourage the birds from congregating in the area, he said.
“It’s also important that the birds aren’t being fed by people as generally these types of birds will migrate to wherever there is food.
“A reduced number of people at the lake front may have prompted the birds to move to amore populated area.”