❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the increasing problem of starlings and the effectiveness of the government's eradication program, questioning new colonies, trap deployment, and future resource allocation.
AnsweredQoN 151Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STARLINGS
I refer to the problem of starlings, also known as cane toads with wings, which problem is dangerously increasing despite a state government budget increase of $418 000 to $750 000 this year for its eradication program. With the outbreak stretching from Condingup in the east to Bremer Bay, where surveillance is now being carried out, I ask - (1) Have any new colonies been found within the past two months; and, if so, where and what is being done to address the problem? (2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE
I refer to the problem of starlings, also known as cane toads with wings, which problem is dangerously increasing despite a state government budget increase of $418 000 to $750 000 this year for its eradication program. With the outbreak stretching from Condingup in the east to Bremer Bay, where surveillance is now being carried out, I ask - (1) Have any new colonies been found within the past two months; and, if so, where and what is being done to address the problem? (2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(1) Have any new colonies been found within the past two months; and, if so, where and what is being done to address the problem? (2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(1) Have any new colonies been found within the past two months; and, if so, where and what is being done to address the problem? (2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(2) Have additional traps been ordered and delivered as promised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other place in March? (3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(3) Would the minister agree that to save the state and the horticulture, viticulture and agriculture industries huge costs in the future, more resources must be committed to addressing this problem; and, if so, will the upcoming state budget reflect this? Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
Mr A.D. McRAE replied: I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
I thank the member for Wagin for the question. Indeed, the member is right to describe starlings as cane toads with wings in Western Australia. The implications of an outbreak of starlings in Western Australia are grave for both agriculture and our biodiversity. (1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(1) In February 2006 the known extent of the Munglinup infestation was expanded by the discovery of two more populations, one at Coomalbidgup, 29 kilometres east of Munglinup, and one at north Jerdacuttup, 34 kilometres west of Munglinup, with at least two large blocks observed at each location. The range was expanded further west after further surveillance in March 2006 and more birds were detected south west of Jerdacuttup near Hopetoun. A reliable report of starlings at Bremer Bay has also been made and is currently being investigated. (2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(2) Forty-seven traps are currently deployed in the field. A further 40 traps are being constructed in Esperance and Bunbury now. Traps have been set immediately in response to the new discoveries. (3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
(3) The government is now assessing the need for additional resources as a matter of urgency. Industry and community stakeholders are also engaged in this process because of the broad and important issues for the state.
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