In good news for local bird enthusiasts, Orange City Council will keep the aviary at Cook Park, opting to upgrade the facility rather than remove it, as some animal rights activists have urged.

The decision comes following months-long debate over whether the 90-year-old Cook Park aviary should still be operational after welfare concerns were raised for the birds.

In May, the council resolved to undertake public consultation to gauge support for the facility, and to commission an independent review of the living conditions for the cockatoos, galahs, budgerigars and other native birds.

The findings were presented at the August council meeting.

The public survey found the majority of Orange residents supported keeping the aviary. Of the 1323 respondents, 60 per cent believed the council should ‘keep the aviary and upgrade it’, compared with 34.5 per cent who said it should ‘remove the aviary and turn the area into open public space’.

The independent review into the welfare of the birds was led by Dr Robert Johnson, Fellow of the Australian Veterinary Association and manager of a Sydney-based veterinary zoological consultancy firm, who conducted multiple visits over June and July.

Dr Johnson’s report found that while the animals were in good health, several aspects of the aviary’s management and design could be improved to support better welfare outcomes for the birds. The key recommendations from the report included rehoming the larger birds – cockatoos, corellas and galahs – and adding more budgerigars to support social interaction. Dr Johnson also recommended basic husbandry training for council staff, as well as contingency planning.

At the meeting, Councillor Marea Ruddy, who initiated much of the earlier proceedings, moved that council support the retention and upgrade of the Cook Park aviary, implement the report recommendations, and engage with the Orange Bird Society and other relevant organisations to explore opportunities for ongoing care of the aviary.

Speaking to the motion, Cr Ruddy told the council, “We asked the community; they answered. We sought independent and expert advice. We now have it…

“Let’s retain the aviary. Let’s implement the recommendations that will improve the welfare and suitability of the birds that live there, and let’s make sure it fits with the long-term vision of Cook Park.”

Councillor Kevin Duffy moved an amendment to the motion that the council note the report and liaise with Animal Care Australia to establish a way forward for maintaining and improving the Cook Park aviary.

Councillors David Mallard spoke in opposition to the amendment, arguing that it took out a lot of the important points in Cr Ruddy’s motion and was "silent on anything relating to finalising the plan of management for Cook Park, which is a legal obligation”.

Cr McDonnell echoed Cr Mallard’s points, adding she couldn’t “support moving a motion to lease when we don’t even know whether we’re actually able to do that”.

Councillor Jeff Whitton also opposed Cr Duffy’s amendment, but said it would be worth exploring the possibility of leasing the aviary’s management to the Bird Society to help fund its running costs.

Cr Ruddy didn’t believe it was “appropriate to engage in conversations around leasing the aviary to anybody at this stage”. However, she did believe there was an opportunity for those conversations later on.

Cr Ruddy also pointed out that the wording of her motion would already allow council to work with the Bird Society to explore opportunities for “ongoing care, maintenance and enhancement” of the aviary, through “partnerships, volunteer involvement, sponsorship, expertise, advice or other forms of support”.

The amendment was defeated 9-2.

Cr Mallard then spoke in support of Cr Ruddy's motion, acknowledging the community backing but noting the aviary “doesn’t reflect contemporary standards”.

Councillor Jamie Stedman too added his support, telling the council it didn’t rule out the aviary having larger birds again – just not at its current facility. “Birds aren’t going to be lost to it forever, just in its current state. And so it should be,” Cr Stedman said, concluding the debate.

The motion was carried 9-2.