Story perspectives

NT OKs 20,000-bird cull, raises conservation alarms

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

NT Minister Marie-Clare Boothby approved permits to kill 15,000 galahs and 5,000 little corellas at Newcastle Waters with firearms or poison alphachloralose.
Chief Troy Setter said birds damage crops, pose flu and cited a trial that succeeded on 30 birds.
Conservation groups warned the cull could poison and threaten bilbies, red goshawks, Gouldian finches near Lake Woods.
CPC applied for water licences of 3,060 ML/yr for Newcastle Waters and 7,290 ML/yr for Tandyidgee.

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Story summary

NT Minister Marie-Clare Boothby approved permits to kill 15,000 galahs and 5,000 little corellas at Newcastle Waters with firearms or poison alphachloralose.
Chief Troy Setter said birds damage crops, pose flu and cited a trial that succeeded on 30 birds.
Conservation groups warned the cull could poison and threaten bilbies, red goshawks, Gouldian finches near Lake Woods.
CPC applied for water licences of 3,060 ML/yr for Newcastle Waters and 7,290 ML/yr for Tandyidgee.