From 1 January 2023, permission is required to keep either a rooster
or peacock that is 2 months or older, as they are now considered to be
prescribed animals. Applications prior to this date
will still be accepted. More information on this can be found below under Keeping of prescribed animals - (By-Law no.7
Animal Management).
Council does not specifically limit the number of chickens or
ducks, a resident may keep, as long as the conditions in which the birds are
kept meet general health and hygiene standards and the birds do not become a
nuisance to neighbours, e.g. by excessive noise or smell.
To assist residents in properly maintaining their poultry, Council has a brochure entitled Poultry Brochure which can be downloaded below or can also be collected from the Administration Centre at 245 Sturt Road, Sturt. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please phone the Council on:
Keeping of Prescribed Animals - By-Law no. 7 Animal Management (Roosters and Peacocks)
A prescribed animal is defined as meaning either a rooster or peacock that is 2 months or older.
Residents may apply to the City of Marion for permission to keep a prescribed animal. The application form below must be completed in full for it to be lodged and assessed.
A Community Safety Inspector will then investigate and inspect the property where the birds will be kept. The property will be inspected for the purpose of assessing the suitability of the premises to keep these animals.
The approval process may take up to 4 weeks.
The City of Marion will advise you of the decision in writing.
More information in relation to the By Law can be found below.
Feeding birds is often done with good intentions, but it’s important to understand that it can disrupt the local ecosystem and may cause harm.
Large numbers of birds drawn to an area through feeding can create a nuisance for neighbours, leading to excessive droppings and potentially breaching the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act.
Native birds are wild animals that thrive on natural feeding habits. Feeding them can result in health risks, environmental imbalances, and long-term negative effects on bird populations.
Why avoid feeding wild birds
Disrupts natural diets: native birds eat a balanced diet of insects, nectar, seeds, and fruit. Feeding them the wrong food can harm their health.
Increases aggression and stress: artificial feeding creates competition, leading to aggression among birds that would not naturally feed together.
Attracts pests: excess food can attract non-native birds, rats, cockroaches, and other pests, disrupting the ecosystem.
Creates species imbalance: certain bird species thrive on human feeding, outcompeting and reducing the population of other species.
Spreads disease: large gatherings of birds around feeding areas increase the risk of disease transmission.
Rotting food hazards: damp birdseed and leftovers can grow mould, causing illness in birds and attracting rodents.
Fosters dependency: regular feeding can make birds reliant on humans, weakening their natural foraging instincts, especially in young birds.
Health risks from processed foods: foods like bread, which contain high salt levels, can cause illness and deformities in young birds.
Legal Obligations
Under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act, bird feeding that causes a nuisance may result in enforcement actions, including:
An Abatement Notice being issued requiring an individual to stop the activity.
Failure to comply may lead to an expiation notice (fine) of $500.
Positive ways to engage with birds
Enjoy and connect with birds in ways that don’t involve feeding:
Watch and observe: Take time to enjoy their natural behaviour.
Photography: Capture moments of birds in their natural environment.
Identify Species: Use bird identification apps to learn more about local species.
