❓ Hon. Alison Xamon raises concerns about the south-western snake-necked turtle population near Bibra Lake, prompting the Minister for Environment to outline collaborative monitoring, fox control, and nest protection efforts.
AnsweredQoN 811Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH-WESTERN
SNAKE-NECKED TURTLE
811. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to recent reports that the
south-western snake-necked turtle population that is living adjacent to Bibra
Lake is under threat of localised extinction from predation from foxes and
birds, and from being run over by cars.
(1) Can the
minister advise what monitoring or investigations are being undertaken by the
government to ascertain the threats posed to the south-western snake-necked
turtle in the vicinity of Bibra Lake and in other wetlands where they may be at
risk?
(2) What actions
will the state government take to support the City of Cockburn and other
councils that have significant wetlands in their area to tackle the threats to
the turtles?
(3) Can the
minister advise what action he is taking to address management of feral animals
in council areas with significant wetlands?
(4) Will the
government commit to initiating and/or supporting programs such as installing
turtle refuges to protect nests, or constructing fauna underpasses to protect
turtles from being run over by traffic in areas with nearby wetlands?
SNAKE-NECKED TURTLE
811. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to recent reports that the
south-western snake-necked turtle population that is living adjacent to Bibra
Lake is under threat of localised extinction from predation from foxes and
birds, and from being run over by cars.
(1) Can the
minister advise what monitoring or investigations are being undertaken by the
government to ascertain the threats posed to the south-western snake-necked
turtle in the vicinity of Bibra Lake and in other wetlands where they may be at
risk?
(2) What actions
will the state government take to support the City of Cockburn and other
councils that have significant wetlands in their area to tackle the threats to
the turtles?
(3) Can the
minister advise what action he is taking to address management of feral animals
in council areas with significant wetlands?
(4) Will the
government commit to initiating and/or supporting programs such as installing
turtle refuges to protect nests, or constructing fauna underpasses to protect
turtles from being run over by traffic in areas with nearby wetlands?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Bibra Lake is
located in Beeliar Regional Park, which is managed by the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,
in partnership with the City of Cockburn. DBCA, the City of Cockburn and Murdoch University are working together to improve their understanding of the
threats to the turtle population in these and other wetlands on the Swan
coastal plain.
(2) DBCA and the
City of Cockburn will work cooperatively to ensure fox control programs are
undertaken in a coordinated manner, to maximise efficiency and assist in
reducing costs.
(3) The management of feral animals is the
responsibility of the landowner. In Beeliar Regional Park, the next coordinated
fox control program is scheduled for spring, to coincide with the turtle
breeding season. DBCA has provided the City of Cockburn with cages to protect
nesting areas from foxes as part of a broader trial. Information from this and
other research initiatives has been, and will continue to be shared with the
city and other relevant local government authorities through the regional park
community advisory committees.
(4) DBCA is working in partnership with Murdoch
University to better understand the benefits associated with protecting turtle
nests with protective cages. The results from this research will inform future
management. The use of fauna underpasses and overpasses, and the general
connectivity of natural areas, is considered within the state's
planning approval system, and these measures are implemented where appropriate.
some notice of the question.
(1) Bibra Lake is
located in Beeliar Regional Park, which is managed by the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,
in partnership with the City of Cockburn. DBCA, the City of Cockburn and Murdoch University are working together to improve their understanding of the
threats to the turtle population in these and other wetlands on the Swan
coastal plain.
(2) DBCA and the
City of Cockburn will work cooperatively to ensure fox control programs are
undertaken in a coordinated manner, to maximise efficiency and assist in
reducing costs.
(3) The management of feral animals is the
responsibility of the landowner. In Beeliar Regional Park, the next coordinated
fox control program is scheduled for spring, to coincide with the turtle
breeding season. DBCA has provided the City of Cockburn with cages to protect
nesting areas from foxes as part of a broader trial. Information from this and
other research initiatives has been, and will continue to be shared with the
city and other relevant local government authorities through the regional park
community advisory committees.
(4) DBCA is working in partnership with Murdoch
University to better understand the benefits associated with protecting turtle
nests with protective cages. The results from this research will inform future
management. The use of fauna underpasses and overpasses, and the general
connectivity of natural areas, is considered within the state's
planning approval system, and these measures are implemented where appropriate.
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