❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the implementation and funding of the 2008 Forest Black Cockatoo Recovery Plan, with detailed inquiries into specific recovery actions and their outcomes. The response indicates ongoing efforts but highlights challenges in funding allocation, complete elimination of threats, and comprehensive implementation due to licensing restrictions and resource limitations.
AnsweredQoN 5204Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2008 Forest Black Cockatoo (Baudin's Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus baudinii
and Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus banksii naso
) Recovery Plan, and I ask -
(1) Regarding the statement at page v of the Recovery Plan that 'The habitat critical to survival and important populations of Forest Black Cockatoos comprises all [my emphasis] Marri
Corymbia calophylla
, Karri
Eucalyptus diversicolour
and Jarrah
Eucalyptus marginata
forests, woodlands and remnants in the south-west of Western Australia receiving more than 600 mm of annual average rainfall' -
(a) does this mean all clearing should cease;
(b) if no to (1)(a), why not (Please provide full details of evidence relied on); and
(c) what role do paddock trees play in habitat for Forest Black Cockatoos?
(2) Regarding the recovery actions listed at page vi of the Recovery Plan -
(a) as to Recovery Action 14.1, has the funding required to implement future recovery actions been sought;
(b) if yes to (2)(a), how much funding was granted;
(c) if no to (2)(a), why not;
(d) as to Recovery Action 14.2, have non-lethal means of mitigating fruit damage by Baudin's Cockatoo in orchards been determined and promoted;
(e) if yes to (2)(d), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(f) if no to (2)(d), why not;
(g) as to Recovery Action 14.3, has illegal shooting been eliminated;
(h) if yes to (2)(g) -
(i) how;
(ii) what was the cost; and
(iii) how is this being monitored to ensure illegal shooting does not recommence;
(i) if no to (2)(g), why not;
(j) as to Recovery Action 14.4, have strategies to allow for the use of noise emitting devices in orchards been developed and implemented;
(k) if yes to (2)(j), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(l) if no to (2)(j), why not;
(m) as to Recovery Action 14.5, have ways to remove feral honeybees from nesting hollows been developed and implemented;
(n) if yes to (2)(m), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(o) if no to (2)(m), why not;
(p) as to Recovery Action 14.6, have factors affecting the number of breeding attempts and breeding success been identified and nest hollows been managed to increase recruitment;
(q) if yes to (2)(p), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(r) if no to (2)(p), why not;
(s) as to Recovery Action 14.7, have ways to minimise the effects of mining and urban development on habitat loss been determined and implemented;
(t) if yes to (2)(s), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost; and
(u) if no to (2)(s), why not?
(3) As to Recovery Action 14.8 at page 25 of the Recovery Plan, have ways to manage forests for the conservation of Forest Black Cockatoos been determined and implemented?
(4) If yes to (3), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) As to Recovery Action 14.9 at page 26 of the Recovery Plan, have important Forest Black Cockatoo sites been identified and managed and protected from threatening processes?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister please provide full details, including where, how, and the cost?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) As to Recovery Action 14.10 at page 27 of the Recovery Plan, have feeding and breeding habitat critical to Forest Black Cockatoo survival and important populations of Forest Black Cockatoos been mapped, and management guidelines for these habitats been prepared?
(10) If yes to (9), will the Minister please provide the maps and the management guidelines?
(11) If no to (9), why not?
(12) As to Recovery Action 14.11 at page 27 of the Recovery Plan, have Forest Black Cockatoo population numbers and distribution been monitored?
(13) If yes to (12) -
(a) when;
(b) how; and
(c) will the Minister please table the results?
(14) If no to (12), why not?
(15) As to Recovery Action 14.12 at page 28 of the Recovery Plan, have the patterns and significance of movement of Black Forest Cockatoos been determined?
(16) If yes to (15) -
(a) when;
(b) how; and
(c) will the Minister please table the results?
(17) If no to (15), why not?
(18) As to Recovery Action 14.13 at page 29 of the Recovery Plan, has the Cockatoo Care program been maintained and other opportunities been used to promote the recovery of Forest Black Cockatoos?
(19) If yes to (18) -
(a) how much funding has the Cockatoo Care program received since the Recovery Plan was issued;
(b) what has been achieved by the program during that time;
(c) will the Minister please provide full details including cost of any other opportunities to promote the recovery of Forest Black Cockatoos that have been used since the Recovery Plan was issued; and
(d) what has been achieved by those methods?
(20) If no to (18), why not?
Calyptorhynchus baudinii
and Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus banksii naso
) Recovery Plan, and I ask -
(1) Regarding the statement at page v of the Recovery Plan that 'The habitat critical to survival and important populations of Forest Black Cockatoos comprises all [my emphasis] Marri
Corymbia calophylla
, Karri
Eucalyptus diversicolour
and Jarrah
Eucalyptus marginata
forests, woodlands and remnants in the south-west of Western Australia receiving more than 600 mm of annual average rainfall' -
(a) does this mean all clearing should cease;
(b) if no to (1)(a), why not (Please provide full details of evidence relied on); and
(c) what role do paddock trees play in habitat for Forest Black Cockatoos?
(2) Regarding the recovery actions listed at page vi of the Recovery Plan -
(a) as to Recovery Action 14.1, has the funding required to implement future recovery actions been sought;
(b) if yes to (2)(a), how much funding was granted;
(c) if no to (2)(a), why not;
(d) as to Recovery Action 14.2, have non-lethal means of mitigating fruit damage by Baudin's Cockatoo in orchards been determined and promoted;
(e) if yes to (2)(d), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(f) if no to (2)(d), why not;
(g) as to Recovery Action 14.3, has illegal shooting been eliminated;
(h) if yes to (2)(g) -
(i) how;
(ii) what was the cost; and
(iii) how is this being monitored to ensure illegal shooting does not recommence;
(i) if no to (2)(g), why not;
(j) as to Recovery Action 14.4, have strategies to allow for the use of noise emitting devices in orchards been developed and implemented;
(k) if yes to (2)(j), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(l) if no to (2)(j), why not;
(m) as to Recovery Action 14.5, have ways to remove feral honeybees from nesting hollows been developed and implemented;
(n) if yes to (2)(m), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(o) if no to (2)(m), why not;
(p) as to Recovery Action 14.6, have factors affecting the number of breeding attempts and breeding success been identified and nest hollows been managed to increase recruitment;
(q) if yes to (2)(p), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost;
(r) if no to (2)(p), why not;
(s) as to Recovery Action 14.7, have ways to minimise the effects of mining and urban development on habitat loss been determined and implemented;
(t) if yes to (2)(s), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost; and
(u) if no to (2)(s), why not?
(3) As to Recovery Action 14.8 at page 25 of the Recovery Plan, have ways to manage forests for the conservation of Forest Black Cockatoos been determined and implemented?
(4) If yes to (3), will the Minister please provide full details, including the cost?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) As to Recovery Action 14.9 at page 26 of the Recovery Plan, have important Forest Black Cockatoo sites been identified and managed and protected from threatening processes?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister please provide full details, including where, how, and the cost?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) As to Recovery Action 14.10 at page 27 of the Recovery Plan, have feeding and breeding habitat critical to Forest Black Cockatoo survival and important populations of Forest Black Cockatoos been mapped, and management guidelines for these habitats been prepared?
(10) If yes to (9), will the Minister please provide the maps and the management guidelines?
(11) If no to (9), why not?
(12) As to Recovery Action 14.11 at page 27 of the Recovery Plan, have Forest Black Cockatoo population numbers and distribution been monitored?
(13) If yes to (12) -
(a) when;
(b) how; and
(c) will the Minister please table the results?
(14) If no to (12), why not?
(15) As to Recovery Action 14.12 at page 28 of the Recovery Plan, have the patterns and significance of movement of Black Forest Cockatoos been determined?
(16) If yes to (15) -
(a) when;
(b) how; and
(c) will the Minister please table the results?
(17) If no to (15), why not?
(18) As to Recovery Action 14.13 at page 29 of the Recovery Plan, has the Cockatoo Care program been maintained and other opportunities been used to promote the recovery of Forest Black Cockatoos?
(19) If yes to (18) -
(a) how much funding has the Cockatoo Care program received since the Recovery Plan was issued;
(b) what has been achieved by the program during that time;
(c) will the Minister please provide full details including cost of any other opportunities to promote the recovery of Forest Black Cockatoos that have been used since the Recovery Plan was issued; and
(d) what has been achieved by those methods?
(20) If no to (18), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
56 days
(1)(a) No
(1)(b) Recovery plans are guidance rather than binding or statutory documents. The guidance in this case is that decision makers should endeavour to protect such habitat in order to increase the prospects for recovery of the two species.
(1)(c) Both species have been observed feeding and roosting in paddock trees, and forest red-tailed black cockatoos have been recorded nesting in paddock trees.
(2)(a)-(c)
Costs given in the recovery plan are indicative rather than prescriptive. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the other organisations implementing recovery plans have base funding levels that cover some of the costs of this work and DEC has also sought funding from various State and Commonwealth funding programs. It is not possible to accurately separate DEC's expenditure on each aspect of recovery plan implementation. In the case of this recovery plan, DEC's activities in threatened species and wildlife management, forest management, wildlife survey, compliance and administration all include aspects related to recovery plan implementation. DEC received $5000 from the South West Catchments Council in 2009 for forest black cockatoo survey in the DEC Warren Region. Other organisations including the WA Museum have received external funding for forest cockatoos.
(2)(d)-(f)
DEC has developed and distributed information promoting non-lethal means of mitigating fruit damage by Baudin's cockatoo. DEC continues to promote these methods including netting and noise scaring. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(g)-(h)
No, illegal shooting is considered by DEC to continue to be a significant threat to Baudin's cockatoo.
(2)(i) DEC undertakes investigations into illegal shooting, and conducts publicity programs, but such activity is very difficult to stop completely.
(2)(j)-(l)
The Black Cockatoo Fruit Protection Technical Advisory Committee produced the document
Best Practice Guidelines for Bird Scaring in orchards - noise and threatened species
in December 2005. The guidelines are intended to help fruit growers, residents and local government authorities manage noise from gas guns and other noise devices used in orchards to prevent damage by black cockatoos. They have been provided to local governments and fruit growers and have been implemented on a case-by-case basis. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(m)-(o)
DEC has developed a technique for removing feral honeybees from nesting hollows using the chemical Fipronil. Current Commonwealth licensing procedures for Fipronil do not permit its use within 10 kilometres of a registered apiary site, making its use across forest areas difficult. Approval for variations from this restriction has not yet been obtained. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(p)-(r)
Yes, but there is still a need for a better understanding of breeding requirements. Progress has been made with use of artificial hollows for Carnaby's cockatoos and some success has also been achieved with the use of artificial hollows for forest red-tailed black cockatoos. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(s)-(u)
The effects of mining and urban development on habitat are minimised through environmental impact assessments and the regulation of native vegetation clearing under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
, and through land use planning undertaken by the WA Planning Commission, Department of Planning and local governments.
These are routine activities performed by the respective organisations and the costs are embedded in existing budgets, and therefore not specifically identified as expenditure against the recovery plan.
(3)-(5)
Management of forests for black cockatoos is addressed through the implementation of the
Forest Management Plan 2004-2013
(FMP) through a range of strategies applied at the whole of forest, landscape and operational levels, including the network of formal conservation reserves and informal reserves, fauna habitat zones, and by retaining habitat elements, including habitat trees with hollows, or the potential to develop hollows, for use by species such as black cockatoos, habitat logs, midstorey vegetation and long-lived species such as grass trees in areas subject to timber harvesting. Sixty-two per cent of the area of the FMP is set aside in formal conservation reserves (national parks, conservation parks and nature reserves), informal reserves (stream and river zones, old-growth forest areas and diverse ecotype zones) and fauna habitat zones. Funding for implementation of the FMP is within DEC's operational budget and expenditure which serves multiple objectives is not specifically identified as expenditure against the recovery plan. Some more recent research on forest cockatoos, such as the breeding biology of the forest red-tailed black cockatoo, is currently being compiled for publication, and will be used to inform future forest management.
(6)-(8)
DEC and the WA Museum have identified some areas that are important for forest black cockatoos and this work is ongoing. Significant habitat values can be protected through implementation of the FMP and silviculture guidelines, through native vegetation clearing regulations, and planning for DEC's prescribed burning program. In respect of costs, see the answer to (3)-(5).
(9)-(11)
Some areas of habitat critical for survival for forest black cockatoos have been mapped. DEC in conjunction with the WA Museum and BirdLife Australia continues to undertake investigations to identify other areas of habitat critical to forest black cockatoos. Management guidelines for important habitat include the FMP, silviculture guidelines and the recovery plan.
(12)-(14)
The WA Museum has mapped the distribution and status of Baudin's cockatoo in the south-west forests and compiled an estimate of the population from both historical data and the WA Museum Cockatoo Care Program which is available from the Museum. I table a list of references and seek leave to have them incorporated into Hansard.
DEC and the WA Museum are monitoring some breeding and roosting sites for both forest red-tailed black cockatoos and Baudin's cockatoos, and further research papers are in preparation. DEC has advised that additional work is required to better understand the distribution and conservation status of forest black cockatoos.
(15)-(17)
Movement patterns of forest black cockatoos have been determined by WA Museum research projects. Further understanding of movement patterns is required particularly in the denser, taller forest of the lower south-west. This will require trialling of new technology.
(18) Yes
(19)(a)Original funding for the Cockatoo Care Program came from the Water Corporation (2002-2007), and from 2007-2009 some corporate funding was provided for ongoing fieldwork. The program is managed by the WA Museum.
(19)(b)The WA Museum has advised that major achievementsinclude:
· improved understanding of the conservation status of both Baudin's cockatoo and the forest red-tailed black cockatoo;
· assistance in identifying the impact of feral European honeybees on hollow-nesting birds;
· assistance in identifying important areas for cockatoo conservation;
· a high level of public engagement through web visits, including over 12,000 observation records received from the community, and the partnership with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and Tourism WA (On the Trail of the Red-tail);
· publication of five scientific papers with others in preparation;
· DEC and the WA Museum have run educational programs based on Cockatoo Care;
· publication of information sheets, flyers and new articles; and
· development of artificial PVC nest tubes (Cockatubes™) and protocols for their use.
(19)(c)DEC and other organisations, including the WA Museum and BirdLife Australia, promote the recovery of forest black cockatoos through a range of activities. These include conducting fieldwork and working with the community on recovery actions and through community talks and workshops. Funding for this work is not separately identified.
(19)(d)The work undertaken by DEC, the WA Museum, BirdLife Australia and community groups has raised awareness and informed the public of the status of forest black cockatoos. DEC continues to engage with key stakeholders to promote protection and recovery of the forest black cockatoos. There is now a significant level of recognition that forest black cockatoo issues need to be addressed in land use planning and industrial developments.
(20) Not applicable
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(1)(b) Recovery plans are guidance rather than binding or statutory documents. The guidance in this case is that decision makers should endeavour to protect such habitat in order to increase the prospects for recovery of the two species.
(1)(c) Both species have been observed feeding and roosting in paddock trees, and forest red-tailed black cockatoos have been recorded nesting in paddock trees.
(2)(a)-(c)
Costs given in the recovery plan are indicative rather than prescriptive. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the other organisations implementing recovery plans have base funding levels that cover some of the costs of this work and DEC has also sought funding from various State and Commonwealth funding programs. It is not possible to accurately separate DEC's expenditure on each aspect of recovery plan implementation. In the case of this recovery plan, DEC's activities in threatened species and wildlife management, forest management, wildlife survey, compliance and administration all include aspects related to recovery plan implementation. DEC received $5000 from the South West Catchments Council in 2009 for forest black cockatoo survey in the DEC Warren Region. Other organisations including the WA Museum have received external funding for forest cockatoos.
(2)(d)-(f)
DEC has developed and distributed information promoting non-lethal means of mitigating fruit damage by Baudin's cockatoo. DEC continues to promote these methods including netting and noise scaring. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(g)-(h)
No, illegal shooting is considered by DEC to continue to be a significant threat to Baudin's cockatoo.
(2)(i) DEC undertakes investigations into illegal shooting, and conducts publicity programs, but such activity is very difficult to stop completely.
(2)(j)-(l)
The Black Cockatoo Fruit Protection Technical Advisory Committee produced the document
Best Practice Guidelines for Bird Scaring in orchards - noise and threatened species
in December 2005. The guidelines are intended to help fruit growers, residents and local government authorities manage noise from gas guns and other noise devices used in orchards to prevent damage by black cockatoos. They have been provided to local governments and fruit growers and have been implemented on a case-by-case basis. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(m)-(o)
DEC has developed a technique for removing feral honeybees from nesting hollows using the chemical Fipronil. Current Commonwealth licensing procedures for Fipronil do not permit its use within 10 kilometres of a registered apiary site, making its use across forest areas difficult. Approval for variations from this restriction has not yet been obtained. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(p)-(r)
Yes, but there is still a need for a better understanding of breeding requirements. Progress has been made with use of artificial hollows for Carnaby's cockatoos and some success has also been achieved with the use of artificial hollows for forest red-tailed black cockatoos. In respect of costs, see the answer to (2)(a)-(c).
(2)(s)-(u)
The effects of mining and urban development on habitat are minimised through environmental impact assessments and the regulation of native vegetation clearing under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
, and through land use planning undertaken by the WA Planning Commission, Department of Planning and local governments.
These are routine activities performed by the respective organisations and the costs are embedded in existing budgets, and therefore not specifically identified as expenditure against the recovery plan.
(3)-(5)
Management of forests for black cockatoos is addressed through the implementation of the
Forest Management Plan 2004-2013
(FMP) through a range of strategies applied at the whole of forest, landscape and operational levels, including the network of formal conservation reserves and informal reserves, fauna habitat zones, and by retaining habitat elements, including habitat trees with hollows, or the potential to develop hollows, for use by species such as black cockatoos, habitat logs, midstorey vegetation and long-lived species such as grass trees in areas subject to timber harvesting. Sixty-two per cent of the area of the FMP is set aside in formal conservation reserves (national parks, conservation parks and nature reserves), informal reserves (stream and river zones, old-growth forest areas and diverse ecotype zones) and fauna habitat zones. Funding for implementation of the FMP is within DEC's operational budget and expenditure which serves multiple objectives is not specifically identified as expenditure against the recovery plan. Some more recent research on forest cockatoos, such as the breeding biology of the forest red-tailed black cockatoo, is currently being compiled for publication, and will be used to inform future forest management.
(6)-(8)
DEC and the WA Museum have identified some areas that are important for forest black cockatoos and this work is ongoing. Significant habitat values can be protected through implementation of the FMP and silviculture guidelines, through native vegetation clearing regulations, and planning for DEC's prescribed burning program. In respect of costs, see the answer to (3)-(5).
(9)-(11)
Some areas of habitat critical for survival for forest black cockatoos have been mapped. DEC in conjunction with the WA Museum and BirdLife Australia continues to undertake investigations to identify other areas of habitat critical to forest black cockatoos. Management guidelines for important habitat include the FMP, silviculture guidelines and the recovery plan.
(12)-(14)
The WA Museum has mapped the distribution and status of Baudin's cockatoo in the south-west forests and compiled an estimate of the population from both historical data and the WA Museum Cockatoo Care Program which is available from the Museum. I table a list of references and seek leave to have them incorporated into Hansard.
DEC and the WA Museum are monitoring some breeding and roosting sites for both forest red-tailed black cockatoos and Baudin's cockatoos, and further research papers are in preparation. DEC has advised that additional work is required to better understand the distribution and conservation status of forest black cockatoos.
(15)-(17)
Movement patterns of forest black cockatoos have been determined by WA Museum research projects. Further understanding of movement patterns is required particularly in the denser, taller forest of the lower south-west. This will require trialling of new technology.
(18) Yes
(19)(a)Original funding for the Cockatoo Care Program came from the Water Corporation (2002-2007), and from 2007-2009 some corporate funding was provided for ongoing fieldwork. The program is managed by the WA Museum.
(19)(b)The WA Museum has advised that major achievementsinclude:
· improved understanding of the conservation status of both Baudin's cockatoo and the forest red-tailed black cockatoo;
· assistance in identifying the impact of feral European honeybees on hollow-nesting birds;
· assistance in identifying important areas for cockatoo conservation;
· a high level of public engagement through web visits, including over 12,000 observation records received from the community, and the partnership with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and Tourism WA (On the Trail of the Red-tail);
· publication of five scientific papers with others in preparation;
· DEC and the WA Museum have run educational programs based on Cockatoo Care;
· publication of information sheets, flyers and new articles; and
· development of artificial PVC nest tubes (Cockatubes™) and protocols for their use.
(19)(c)DEC and other organisations, including the WA Museum and BirdLife Australia, promote the recovery of forest black cockatoos through a range of activities. These include conducting fieldwork and working with the community on recovery actions and through community talks and workshops. Funding for this work is not separately identified.
(19)(d)The work undertaken by DEC, the WA Museum, BirdLife Australia and community groups has raised awareness and informed the public of the status of forest black cockatoos. DEC continues to engage with key stakeholders to promote protection and recovery of the forest black cockatoos. There is now a significant level of recognition that forest black cockatoo issues need to be addressed in land use planning and industrial developments.
(20) Not applicable
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