Story: Cockitrough Bird Waterers
Episode: 11
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Air Date: 24 May 2025

The Town of Victoria Park’s innovative cockitrough is a locally designed bird trough that supports native black cockatoos and is part of a broader Urban Forest Strategy to restore local ecology and increase canopy cover across the Town.

• Designed in-house by the Town of Victoria Park, the cockitrough is a purpose-built bird trough helping local black cockatoos access safe drinking water. It was created in response to community concerns about birds drinking from roadside puddles and getting hit by cars.
• Over 100 units have been installed across WA.
• The cockitrough can be ordered via the Town’s website, or residents can lobby their local Council to install one in local parks or reserves. It is a simple, community-led way to support local fauna.
• The cockitrough forms part of the Town’s broader Urban Forest Strategy, which includes targets like a 20% increase in canopy cover, remnant bushland preservation, tree planting initiatives, and habitat creation projects such as artificial tree hollows.
• Seeds collected from the Banksia woodland at Jirdarup Bushland are used to propagate hyper-local native species for planting throughout the Town, restoring the ecological integrity of areas where these species were once lost.
• The Town hosts community planting days and free plant giveaways, empowering residents to take part in urban greening efforts. These programs are supported by Urban Forest Grants for community-led projects.

For more information, head to:
Vicpark.info/UFS