❓ Dr. Pettitt raises concerns about the potential extinction of the peacock jumping spider due to a housing development. The government acknowledges the lack of data and that no specific protections are in place due to approvals predating the spider's description.
AnsweredQoN 912Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENT —
PEACOCK JUMPING SPIDER — THREATENED SPECIES
912. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the theme of this year's
National Science Week, ''Species survival—More than just
sustainability!'' and the recent media report that the peacock jumping
spider, Maratus yanchep , is at risk of extinction with a new housing
development being built 20 metres from its only known refuge.
(1) What is the
government doing to protect and preserve the peacock jumping spider?
(2) What
environmental conditions and restrictions have been placed on Peet Ltd's
Elavale Eglinton estate to protect the peacock jumping spider?
PEACOCK JUMPING SPIDER — THREATENED SPECIES
912. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the theme of this year's
National Science Week, ''Species survival—More than just
sustainability!'' and the recent media report that the peacock jumping
spider, Maratus yanchep , is at risk of extinction with a new housing
development being built 20 metres from its only known refuge.
(1) What is the
government doing to protect and preserve the peacock jumping spider?
(2) What
environmental conditions and restrictions have been placed on Peet Ltd's
Elavale Eglinton estate to protect the peacock jumping spider?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1) The peacock
jumping spider, Maratus yanchep , was only described in 2022 and minimal
information about its distribution, ecology and conservation status is
available. The species is not listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act
2016.
Nominations for listing a native
species that is threatened are assessed by the threatened species advisory
committee against criteria specified in Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 ministerial
guideline 2. Data currently available for this species would preclude
assessment against the criteria.
(2) The relevant
ministerial approvals were published before the spider was described in 2022
and therefore no environmental conditions or restrictions are in place to
specifically protect the peacock jumping spider.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1) The peacock
jumping spider, Maratus yanchep , was only described in 2022 and minimal
information about its distribution, ecology and conservation status is
available. The species is not listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act
2016.
Nominations for listing a native
species that is threatened are assessed by the threatened species advisory
committee against criteria specified in Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 ministerial
guideline 2. Data currently available for this species would preclude
assessment against the criteria.
(2) The relevant
ministerial approvals were published before the spider was described in 2022
and therefore no environmental conditions or restrictions are in place to
specifically protect the peacock jumping spider.
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