MCG News
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) will trial a flight interruption system to deter seagulls at the MCG during upcoming AFL matches.
The trial will involve installation of nine wires, made from a galvanised steel rope with a fibre core, inside the MCG and connected by grandstands on the southern and northern sides of the stadium.
The wires, each 180 metres in length, will be suspended approximately 35 metres above the playing surface.
It is hoped that the presence of the wires will frighten the seagulls so that they will be deterred from returning.
It is the first known use of such technology at a sport stadium, but it has been successfully trialled at golf courses and in city water installations.
Starting with Friday night’s Essendon v Carlton match, the trial will take place prior to and during several matches during the remainder of the 2013 AFL home and away season.
The matches will be a mixture of day and night events, to ensure all scenarios are experienced during the trial. This will lead to a greater understanding as to the flight patterns of the gulls.
The trial is part of the MCC’s continued investigation into the presence of seagulls at the MCG during sporting events, which can cause aesthetic concerns for players, broadcasters and patrons.
“We hope that this trial will reduce the number of gulls on the MCG playing surface while the game is in progress," said MCC CEO Stephen Gough.
The trial has been approved by independent consultants as well as the AFL.
However, according to the Sunday Herald Sun today: it didn't work last night!
Maybe the fact that the gulls perched on the wires would have told the MCG that if birds can avoid twigs and branches then a few widely spaced wires aren't going to be much of an issue
