Sue Mariner, a resident of Bribie Island, faces the possibility of losing her cherished Alexandrine Parakeet, Bud, as a result of Moreton Bay Regional Council's inflexible bird ownership guidelines. She has been threatened with a staggering $2875 fine if she does not comply with these unfair rules.

I was horrified to learn in the news that fellow Moreton Bay resident, Sue, has been told to get rid of her beautiful pet parrot of three years, Bud, within 14 days or pay a massive fine that she can’t afford. Sue just has days left - please sign and share this petition to urge the council to show some heart and change the unreasonable rules.

As a bird owner in the same area, I’m afraid I could be the Council’s new target. My pet is my best friend and I couldn’t imagine having to live apart from them.

Sue and Bud do everything together - from moving around within the house for chores to visiting the shops. Sue shares in the news story that perhaps one day when Bud was “talking to other birds,” they must have been quite loud and a neighbour made a noise complaint which could now mean the end of Sue and Bud’s friendship. The council's regulations classify Bud in the same category as large parrots, which are not allowed on properties smaller than 1000 square meters. These rules are inconsistent, as they permit residents to keep 40 pigeons or three chickens in their backyard, despite Bud being smaller than a pigeon.

Both Sue and Bud are experiencing distress due to the council's rules, as parrots can suffer from depression, anxiety, and self-mutilation when separated from a bonded partner, similar to humans. The council must take the emotional well-being of owners and their pets into account when revising their guidelines.

We call on the Moreton Bay Regional Council to:

• Show compassion and understanding in Sue Mariner's case by allowing her to keep Bud, her loyal companion.
• Re-evaluate their bird ownership guidelines, considering the emotional bond between owners and their pets.
• Amend the zoning laws to allow smaller birds, such as Alexandrine Parakeets, on properties smaller than 1000 square meters.

Join us in supporting Sue Mariner and her cherished parrot, Bud, by urging the Moreton Bay Regional Council to make necessary changes for a more compassionate and fair approach to bird ownership.