Wyndham residents will have ongoing access to council-funded snake removals.
The council announced last week it would continue its free snake removal service indefinitely, two years after it tried to scrap the service in favour of a user pays system.
In 2015, the council voted to discontinue the service and introduce a user pays system the following year, under which residents would be charged a $150 call-out fee to locate and remove snakes.
But the decision sparked public backlash and, following the tabling of a petition with more than 1460 signatures, the council voted to extend a council-funded professional snake catcher’s employment until next month.
Wyndham environment and sustainability portfolio holder Heather Marcus said the council had now decided the service would continue free of charge to residents on an ongoing basis.
“We have provided the snake removal service for almost 25 years, despite it not actually being one of council’s core responsibilities,” she said.
“But with homes being built in areas that are quite open, it is common to have snakes around. The most common snake sightings in Wyndham are tiger snakes, however it is not unusual to receive reports of brown snakes.”
In the 2016-17 financial year, Wyndham council paid $32,450 on 272 snake call-outs.
Cr Marcus called on residents who find snakes on their properties to remove pets and keep a safe distance.
To have a snake removed from your property, call 9742 0777.
