Man who declared fowl play hit with $750 fine

A MAN, who chained himself to Burdekin Council chambers in a drastic bid to regain 40 seized roosters, had his case heard in court.

Brenton John Curtis pleaded guilty to a public nuisance charge on September 15.

Police prosecutor Sophie Roseby said Curtis chained himself to the chambers and said “You’ll have to listen to me now”.

Police spoke to the defendant who explained the stunt was all about trying to get birds back that the council had seized.

Curtis’s mother, Lorraine, said the roosters were his livelihood and said they had been in talks with council in the past few months.

“These birds, apart from being a hobby, were his life and therapy for him,” she said.

“We have done everything they have asked us, we have even killed a number of birds to reduce the numbers.”

In a media statement, Burdekin Shire Council CEO Terry Brennan said they first received a complaint of multiple poultry at the man’s property in May, 2020.

“Officers attempted to inspect the property at the time and were denied entry nor provided any details of animals kept on the property,” Mr Brennan said.

“A noise complaint was then received on August 6, 2020.

“Surveillance was undertaken on November 26, 2020, and February 9, 2021, and on both occasions, the noise generated by the roosters was in breach of Local Laws relating to excess noise.

“The man was issued a compliance notice to reduce the noise on February 12 and was granted an extension on April 7 to allow him time to build rooms for the animals in question.

“Further surveillance on May 6 found the noise was still in breach of the law and he was issued with an infringement notice on June 8.

“On July 28, council advised the man that as the noise nuisance had not been reduced to an acceptable level, council had no choice but to continue enforcement action, which may include seizure of the roosters.

“On August 3, surveillance was conducted again and the noise was still in breach of Local Laws, with roosters seized pursuant to a warrant on August 26.

“Forty roosters were seized from the property, however council was aware of up to 60 roosters on the premises at times.”

Magistrate Ross Mack fined Curtis $750 and put him on a good behaviour bond for six months.

“I don’t want to understate your sensibilities about it, this is not a protest for women’s suffrage. There is a better way to do it,” he said