A NUMBER of residents in Gatton are in a flap over Council plans to relocate geese from the town's popular Lake Apex.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has had an increase in complaints in recent weeks about the geese after a few of the park's users were attacked.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones said Council had received complaints after people, particularly young children, had been attacked.

“Geese can become aggressive during their breeding season and can be a nuisance to picnickers, and that's what's happening at the moment,” Cr Jones said.

“Council isn't responsible for the geese being at the Lake, but we need to make sure people visiting the lake aren't getting attacked.”

Cr Jones said geese had been at the park for about the past 20 years and every few years Council had to relocate the birds.

“The real problem is that people feed them all the time. The geese know that they will get food, and if they aren't getting fed the tucker is on ready supply with all the picnickers,” he said.

“The geese have gotten really cheeky and just go up and take people's food.”

Gatton resident Dianne Castledine who regularly takes her two-year-old son to the lake to visit the geese said breeding time was a time to avoid the birds.

“They can be aggressive, especially when food is around,” Mrs Castledine said.

Cr Jones said Council has consulted with a few, relevant community groups regarding the relocation of the geese.

Council will move the birds in the next few weeks.

Story and photo courtesy of Melanie Maeseele, QT