Footscray residents fighting to bring home their evicted chickens argue Maribyrnong council’s new poultry-keeping guidelines are flawed.
The guidelines for keeping chickens were prepared in response to a petition lodged in protest at three chickens being given their marching orders from Eldridge Street early this year.
The Weekly reported in January that Omelette, Frenchie and Mayo were banished from the front yard of a unit block under laws banning chickens being housed less than 18 metres from the road and 15 metres from the nearest dwelling. The trio are now being kept at a church garden in Avondale Heights.
Owners Dusk and Ben Liney argue the chickens brought together new migrants living in the area. They collected 130 signatures on their ‘Save the Eldridge Street Chooks’ petition, but to no avail.
The new guidelines allow exemptions provided “there is no detrimental impact on the look and amenity of the neighbourhood, by the placement of poultry shelters”.
“On most occasions, exemptions will be granted. However, shelters and housing of poultry is restricted to the rear yard of any property and will not be permitted to be located in the front yard of any property.”
Ms Liney questions the explicit ban on front-yard shelters, arguing the council has never explained how this impacts on amenity. She said the Eldridge Street chickens met council aspirations to improve local amenity by making the area safe, accessible and welcoming, and helping people connect.
The guidelines were prepared following community workshops and input from poultry-keeping experts, but Ms Liney said they were not consulted despite their petition triggering the guidelines’ creation. “There was no opportunity for dialogue. A few of us formed a working group and tried to get in touch, but they never got back to us.”
Mayor Grant Miles said the council considered submissions on the issue.
“In regards to chickens in front yards, they can be unsightly and attract pests. They are the main reasons for not letting people keep them there.”
