By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 11 March 2015]
Madam, pigeon related nuisance is a common problem face by MPs as well as Town councils. Pigeons often rest on aircon ledges of residential units, dirtying the place and the surroundings. Some residents also encounter pigeons flying into their kitchen to pick on food. Some got so bad that they cannot even hang their laundry. Pigeons related nuisance include inconvenience to residents, hygiene issues, damage to building facade, attract pests and most importantly it may spread disease.
I understand that AVA works with TC and NEA to manage pigeon pollution. TC will carry out pigeon control works to reduce the pigeon population in the estate while NEA will enforce against high rise litterers. Unfortunately, we are aware of the challenges faced in trying to catch high rise litterers. Controlling the population of pigeon will only work if the breeding stop and that is to say the availability of food must stop.
I have written an emaiI to AVA asking for assistance to deal with this problem. The solutions given by AVA were:
- Residents can consider bird proofing their aircon ledge area. This will means that residents will have to incur unnecessary cost because of a few inconsiderate people.
- The TC can consider installing nets at the external facade covering the aircon ledges to deter pigeons from resting along the aircon ledges. This will cost TC a huge sum of money from operation expenses. Moreover, I have also received feedback from units with netting that such nettings caused inconveniences as well.
Yesterday in Straits Times, an article titled, ‘Pigeon problem ruffles feathers’ reported an increase in complains on pigeon related nuisance. That is, 1420 cases in year 2012, 2080 in 2013 and 2490 in 2014. In view of the increase in such complains, what else can AVA or MND do to assist? Lastly, as mentioned by a forum writer and I agree, that is, preventive measure is a better way to deal with this, through better design of buildings to prevent roosting and entry by birds.