Wyndham council has rejected pleas to overturn the axing of its free snake removal service despite an online petition against the decision being signed by more than 1000 residents.
The service costs $30,000 a year and ends next month.
The council will introduce a new service from September next year, but residents will have to fork out $150 for a professional handler to trap and remove snakes.
Free snake removal services are not provided by Brimbank, Melton, Hobsons Bay or Maribyrnong councils.
Wyndham council will still pay professionals to remove snakes from council land if there is an immediate risk to the public, such as in schools and playgrounds.
Point Cook mother-of-two Sarah Auletta started the petition on change.org earlier this month, describing the move as “unacceptable”.
“Let’s make them change their minds,” she said.
She said later she had been advised that the council would not budge on its decision.
“With the removal of the free service, people are probably less likely to pay for someone to remove a snake and are more likely to attempt to remove [it] themselves.”
Cr Heather Marcus was the only councillor to vote against cutting the free service.
“I lived on a farm and so I understand the problems with snake removal,” she said. “We’ve had problems at kindergartens and problems with snakes coming through people’s backyards.”
