❓ A parliamentary question addresses the Department of Parks and Wildlife's decision to euthanise aggressive magpies in a residential area, focusing on public notification procedures. The Minister's response indicates existing procedures were followed.
AnsweredQoN 1349Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE — MAGPIES — TREENDALE
1349. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the use of a professional
shooter by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to euthanase two aggressive
magpies in Treendale on 23 October.
(1) Are there
procedures that require the Department of Parks and Wildlife to inform the
public when using a shooter to cull animals?
(2) Was the public made aware that a
shooter was going to be in the area beforehand?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Given that
concerns have been raised by the public about safety and a lack of information,
will the Department of Parks and Wildlife review procedures to inform the
public, particularly given this was in a residential area?
OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE — MAGPIES — TREENDALE
1349. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the use of a professional
shooter by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to euthanase two aggressive
magpies in Treendale on 23 October.
(1) Are there
procedures that require the Department of Parks and Wildlife to inform the
public when using a shooter to cull animals?
(2) Was the public made aware that a
shooter was going to be in the area beforehand?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Given that
concerns have been raised by the public about safety and a lack of information,
will the Department of Parks and Wildlife review procedures to inform the
public, particularly given this was in a residential area?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes.
Departmental staff spoke to nearby residents to advise them of the intention to
destroy the offending birds. This approach was made to those previously injured
by bird attacks and to persons whom staff were aware of in the immediate
vicinity at the time the birds were destroyed. As the bird in question was on a
reserve managed by the Shire of Harvey, shire approval was obtained to shoot on
its land and the Bunbury police were advised prior to the shooter discharging
the firearm.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) The
department has standard procedures when dealing with this type of incident that
take into account safety requirements. It is not practical in such
circumstances to notify all members of the public in the general area. However,
every attempt is made to minimise concern to nearby residents.
of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes.
Departmental staff spoke to nearby residents to advise them of the intention to
destroy the offending birds. This approach was made to those previously injured
by bird attacks and to persons whom staff were aware of in the immediate
vicinity at the time the birds were destroyed. As the bird in question was on a
reserve managed by the Shire of Harvey, shire approval was obtained to shoot on
its land and the Bunbury police were advised prior to the shooter discharging
the firearm.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) The
department has standard procedures when dealing with this type of incident that
take into account safety requirements. It is not practical in such
circumstances to notify all members of the public in the general area. However,
every attempt is made to minimise concern to nearby residents.
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