Outsmarting the cockies: Lorne rolls out new bin defence
Cockatoos beware! 500 ‘bin aprons’ are coming to Lorne’s red-lid wheelie bins in the latest attempt yet to outsmart the town’s notorious bin raiders.
It’s been a battle of the wits for years, with the clever cockies getting around almost every lock, rock and homemade contraption tried on them.
But long-time Lorne local and Lorne Men’s Shed founder Allan Walls was determined not to let the birds win.
The Lorne Men’s Shed’s simple yet effective solution: Bin aprons
Together with Gary Fenton and other men’s shed members, Allan has spent years developing a simple but effective solution - an oversized attachment fitted over the lid of a wheelie bin called a bin apron, making it difficult for cockatoos to grip and lift open.
“They’ve now been in place for over two weeks and we haven’t had any reports – that means they’re working,” Allan said.
Allan is well placed to know what works, having trialled so many different contraptions to keep the cockies out that his bins became fair game for the cheeky birds, known for keeping themselves amused by pulling apart just about anything they can get their beaks on.
“I tried everything, so we became a target. One day, before I’d even made it back to the front door, they’d already emptied my bin,” he said.
“Just about everything tried was mechanical, so it broke down over time and cockies kept finding a way in.”
Then came a light bulb moment from Allan. A simple solution with no moving parts that would not fail over time.
“I thought what if we created something the cockies couldn’t grip - a kind of apron attached to the lid?”
Even then, the birds remained one step in front.
“We tried rubber under the lids first, but the cockies quickly learned to pull it off,” Allan said.
“That’s when we realised we needed something stronger and more durable, so we moved to recycled plastic.”
“We started with just 10 prototypes four or five years ago - and the idea worked.”
Persistence paid off
The road from idea to production wasn’t simple.
After years of refining the prototypes, Allan and Gary were initially told the aprons could only be manufactured viably in large production runs. That changed when they found a Victorian manufacturer able to accommodate a smaller run.
“After five years of effort, we found a willing partner in Danbar Plastics in Horsham, who could assist with mould production and manufacturing using recycled plastic,” Allan said.
“They’re made locally from Australian recycled plastic – doesn’t get much better than that.”
The Men’s Shed funded the project from the beginning, registered the design and stuck with it through years of testing and development.
“What began as a simple idea became a complex and demanding project. It required hundreds of hours of research, numerous setbacks, and persistence from a dedicated group of volunteers.”
“My biggest hope is that it helps solve the cockatoo problem in Lorne. It’s been a great Lorne Men’s Shed initiative and a real community effort.”
“We’re confident the current trial will prove successful and hope that other councils facing similar problems may adopt our approach,” Allan said.
More than just a shed
Surf Coast Shire Cr Leon Walker thanked Lorne Men’s Shed members for their passion and persistence in solving the problem over many years.
The shed is full of life and energy, with around 120 members meeting three times a week, ranging in age from 26 to 103.
“This just goes to show what our local Men’s Shed is capable of. It’s much more than just a shed - it’s a place of connection where great ideas are born and brought to life for the community,” Cr Walker said.
“We saw the potential of what they had developed and have now ordered 500 bin aprons to be fitted across Lorne. I’m especially pleased the aprons are made from recycled plastic, turning waste into a practical local solution.”
“They took this project on themselves and ran with it, seeing setbacks as challenges to overcome. It’s an incredible community effort,” Cr Walker said.
Rollout of 500 bin aprons in Lorne
Bins Aprons are being fitted to120-litre red-lid landfill bins in parts of Lorne where cockatoos are more active and frequently open bins and spread litter.
The bins aprons will be fitted to landfill bins in Lorne where:
- the existing locking mechanism is broken
- the bin does not have a locking mechanism
- cockatoos are still opening bins fitted with a locking mechanism.
Lorne residents can request a bin apron by lodging an online request or calling 5261 0600.
- Residents can help discourage cockatoos from opening landfill bins by:
- putting all food waste in the FOGO bin (lime green lid)
- ensuring the bin lid is fully closed
- engaging any locks fitted to bin, both inside your property and on the kerbside
- ·not hand feeding cockatoos or leaving out bird seed mix.
Find out more: surfcoast.vic.gov.au/OperationLockatoo.