❓ Hon Amanda Dorn questions the Minister for the Environment regarding the declining little penguin population on Penguin Island, seeking information on recovery plans, population studies, and conservation funding. The Minister responds, outlining existing surveys and advisory groups.
AnsweredQoN 1133Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Penguin Island—Little penguin population
1133. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the Minister for the Environment:
I refer the minister
to the rapidly declining population of the little penguins on Penguin Island.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the
government has a fully resourced, independent recovery plan in place for these
penguins and, if not, why not?
(2) Has the government conducted a recent—within
the last two years—rigorous population and habitat study of the colony,
and will the findings be tabled in this Parliament and, if not, why not?
(3) Will the minister commit to establishing a
long-term conservation fund dedicated solely to the survival of this little
penguin colony, with transparent annual reporting to the community and
Parliament and, if not, why not?
1133. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the Minister for the Environment:
I refer the minister
to the rapidly declining population of the little penguins on Penguin Island.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the
government has a fully resourced, independent recovery plan in place for these
penguins and, if not, why not?
(2) Has the government conducted a recent—within
the last two years—rigorous population and habitat study of the colony,
and will the findings be tabled in this Parliament and, if not, why not?
(3) Will the minister commit to establishing a
long-term conservation fund dedicated solely to the survival of this little
penguin colony, with transparent annual reporting to the community and
Parliament and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for the Environment.
(1) Recovery plans are prepared only for species
formally listed as threatened. As the little penguin is not a listed threatened
species, no recovery plan has been developed.
(2) In partnership with the City of Rockingham and
the University of Western Australia, the state government has supported
population surveys conducted in 2019, 2023 and 2024, with all reports publicly
available.
(3) In 2024, the government established an
independently chaired Little Penguin Advisory Group to review existing
knowledge, identify key research gaps and prioritise conservation actions
across Western Australia. The group will provide its advice to the Department
of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions by December 2025.
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for the Environment.
(1) Recovery plans are prepared only for species
formally listed as threatened. As the little penguin is not a listed threatened
species, no recovery plan has been developed.
(2) In partnership with the City of Rockingham and
the University of Western Australia, the state government has supported
population surveys conducted in 2019, 2023 and 2024, with all reports publicly
available.
(3) In 2024, the government established an
independently chaired Little Penguin Advisory Group to review existing
knowledge, identify key research gaps and prioritise conservation actions
across Western Australia. The group will provide its advice to the Department
of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions by December 2025.
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