By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A PAKENHAM woman is urging walkers to be cautious after she encountered a four-foot long black snake in Cardinia Lakes estate.
Deborah Burn was walking near the quarry on the afternoon of Thursday 21 January when she spotted the reptile near the end of Windermere Boulevard.
She said although the snake was not aggressive, it was startling to see it in such a heavily populated area and was moved to report the incident to the RSPCA and Wildlife Victoria, who told her to contact her local council.
“When I finally got in contact with the council, they said they weren’t going to do anything about it,” she said.
“I thought if they could go out and look for it that would be brilliant, because it looked like a baby and there’s probably more around there.”
She urged Cardinia Shire Council to consider installing signs in the area.
“People should know that snakes are in the area and just be on the lookout and be aware.”
However, council said this week that snakes, which were protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, could often be seen basking in the sun, but should be left unprovoked.
Operations manager Charles Taveira explained that council staff will only respond to situations which endanger the public.
“Council receives reports of snakes periodically and residents are provided contact details for a number of registered snake handlers,” he said.
“Council can only take action on council-managed land if there is an immediate public health risk. We may engage the services of a registered snake handler on these rare occasions.”
He added that it would be impractical to install signs, warning the public about the risk of snakes.
“Council do not install signs warning residents and visitors about the likelihood of snakes,” he said.
“As snakes are native animals, they can move around regularly, and it is therefore difficult to identify an area where snakes are commonly found.”
