Alexandrina Council will begin shooting Little Corellas to cull their numbers in the region after concerns that they were causing “considerable damage and nuisance” to the local community.

At a meeting on October 19, Alexandrina Council unanimously voted to ask administration to prepare a report “for the purpose of commencing lethal culling of Little Corellas in Strathalbyn and Goolwa and other townships as required, as soon as possible”.

Alexandrina Council will employ a contractor to shoot the Little Corellas during the night time on council-owned property, with the aim of reducing the flock by 20 to 30 per cent.

Alexandrina Council North Ward councillor Craig Maidment said that Little Corellas have been a problem in the region over the past 20 years, with super flocks of about nine to 10,000 birds in Strathalbyn and Goolwa.

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“They do a lot of damage – they strip trees, they pick at the sail cloths on the playground area, they roost in trees and defecate all over the place, particularly in front of the hospital, which is not a good look,” he said.

“They’re killing trees by stealth. Year in, year out, the trees are being decimated with their leaves and foliage.”

Council said it was already using drones to scare the Little Corellas away, as well as laser lights at dusk and dawn, revolving lights on vehicles and clap boards.

The council also resolved to write to the state members for Hammond, Heysen, Mawson and Finniss “to seek advice and support for the management of Little Corellas from a regional and local perspective”.

According to the council, Little Corellas cause damage to buildings, Stobie poles, lights, timber structures and sporting equipment, as well as significant damage to vegetation such as trees and crops.

The council said the birds cause the displacement of other native bird species, native bees, and possums due to forcing other fauna to move onto “safer locations”.

Alexandrina Council also said that Little Corellas cause “a lot of stress and concern for residents living within the area” as a result of loud screeching noises, the mess they create when stripping back trees, and defecating on public and private property.

According to the Australian Museum, the Little Corella, or Cacatua sanguinea, is the most widespread of Australia’s three corella species and is found throughout the country.