REVEALED: Every government answer (and non-answer) provided to parents about corellas on school grounds

Frustrated with lack of action on the growing little corella problem within school grounds, parents of Kangaroo Island Community Education (KICE) students wrote an urgent letter in early February to all relevant departments within government. 

 

KICE’s Governing Council chairperson Nicole Arthur penned the letter on behalf of “very distressed” parents, calling for a “proactive” response to the corella problem impacting its 434 enrolled students across three campuses, with specific concern focussed on the Kingscote grounds. 

 

“We hold grave concerns for the health and safety of our children, staff, and the broader school community,” the letter said.

 

“Corella droppings are accumulating in gutters and contaminating drinking and washing water, while affected play areas present ongoing hygiene risks.

 

“Younger children, in particular, are exposed through outdoor play and classroom cross-contamination. We believe this presents an unacceptable risk and is contributing to increased illness within our school community.”

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A report from the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board released on March 27 revealed more than 2600 corellas were shot over the past two summers by its skilled marksman in and around Kingscote, Cygnet River and Emu Bay. The Board said the trial of night-time shooting with thermal technology had shown corella populations can be managed humanely and effectively. 

 

However, general manager Will Durack has repeatedly stated that it was not a legislative requirement for the Board to manage little corella numbers and that co-ordination and resourcing across multiple agencies would be required for long-term management.

 

With that in mind, the Island Independent has obtained the answers from all the individuals and departments who the school’s governing council letter was sent to. 

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Leon Bignell, former State Member for Mawson: No personal response but wrote to Blair Boyer, Minister for Education to raise the concerns. 

 

Mike Holden, 2026 Liberal election candidate for Mawson: No response.

 

Kangaroo Island Council: Delayed a planned meeting with the school’s governing council until after the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board report was released but has yet to contact the parents since. 

 

Kangaroo Island Councillors: Richard Cotterill, Bob Teasdale and Veronica Bates were the only councillors to respond to the letter, all expressing concern but stating the Council has no legislation or authority to deal with pest species, and will to continue to advocate for the relevant department/s to manage the problem.

 

Rebekha Sharkie, Federal Member for Mayo: Raised the issue with Environment Minister Lucy Hood and Education Minister Blair Boyer. Responses from their departments below.

 

Department for Environment and Water: In response to Rebekha Sharkie, the Department provided links to pre-written facts about little corellas on their website and laws relating to permits for destroying wildlife. No direct response to the issues raised. 

 

Department for Education: Acknowledged concerns from parents and said it was working closely with KICE and Ventia, the Facilities Management Service Provider, to “monitor conditions and address impacts as they arise”. 

 

“The department has approved regular cleaning at Kingscote, as well as one‑off clean‑ups during the term 1 school holidays at all 3 campuses. Advice has also been sought from SA Health regarding health and hygiene considerations, to be incorporated into the risk assessment for informing appropriate cleaning and mitigation measures.”

 

SA Health: Responded with information about possible health risks associated with the birds, including the low chance of humans contracting psittacosis, sometimes called ornithosis or parrot fever, a rare infection of the lungs caused by a bacteria carried by some birds.  

 

“The bacteria may pass from bird to human by close contact with an infected bird or passed via droppings, and a person may become infected when dust is inhaled while cleaning an aviary or cage. It is unlikely for someone to become infected in an open-air park, play space or playground, such as a school, from wild bird droppings.”

 

It said steps the Department for Education was taking “are more than suitable in minimising the already low risk of infection”. 

 

“Steps such include the regular cleaning of outdoor tables and play equipment and promoting hand hygiene after students have been outside.

 

“While the disease risk is low, the other impacts to education, nuisance and damage to infrastructure are a concern and I am hopeful that the Corella management strategy implemented by the landscape board and council has a positive impact on this.

 

“SA Health has little influence or involvement in the control or management of Little Corellas in South Australia, including Kangaroo Island. This is dealt with by local landscape boards, local councils and the Department for Environment and Water.”