❓ Hon Jim Scott raises concerns about swan cygnet deaths due to fox predation in Thomsons Lake and Lake Kogolup, linking it to the South Jandakot subdivision and drainage scheme. The Minister acknowledges the issue but downplays the link and outlines ongoing information gathering.
AnsweredQoN 1230Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that a large number of swans breed on Thomsons Lake and Lake Kogolup every year?
(2) Is the Minister aware that most of their cygnets are killed by foxes when the lakes dry out?
(3) Is the Minister aware that this problem has been worse since the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme were constructed?
(4) What action has been taken to investigate the impact of these developments on Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes?
(5) Has the Technical Advisory Committee for the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme considered these problems?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) If yes, what did they recommend?
(2) Is the Minister aware that most of their cygnets are killed by foxes when the lakes dry out?
(3) Is the Minister aware that this problem has been worse since the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme were constructed?
(4) What action has been taken to investigate the impact of these developments on Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes?
(5) Has the Technical Advisory Committee for the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme considered these problems?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) If yes, what did they recommend?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes (2) Cygnet predation is unlikely to occur at Thomsons Lake given the surrounding vermin-proof fence and fox-baiting program. In previous years, as Thomsons Lake dries out, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has released cygnets from Thomsons Lake to Lake Kogolup where water levels are higher. CALM is aware that cygnets have been killed by foxes at Lake Kogolup, however the exact numbers have not been determined. (3) There has been no obvious correlation observed between the level of predation of cygnets and the construction of the South Jandakot subdivision and associated drainage scheme. (4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(2) Cygnet predation is unlikely to occur at Thomsons Lake given the surrounding vermin-proof fence and fox-baiting program. In previous years, as Thomsons Lake dries out, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has released cygnets from Thomsons Lake to Lake Kogolup where water levels are higher. CALM is aware that cygnets have been killed by foxes at Lake Kogolup, however the exact numbers have not been determined. (3) There has been no obvious correlation observed between the level of predation of cygnets and the construction of the South Jandakot subdivision and associated drainage scheme. (4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(3) There has been no obvious correlation observed between the level of predation of cygnets and the construction of the South Jandakot subdivision and associated drainage scheme. (4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
(2) Cygnet predation is unlikely to occur at Thomsons Lake given the surrounding vermin-proof fence and fox-baiting program. In previous years, as Thomsons Lake dries out, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has released cygnets from Thomsons Lake to Lake Kogolup where water levels are higher. CALM is aware that cygnets have been killed by foxes at Lake Kogolup, however the exact numbers have not been determined. (3) There has been no obvious correlation observed between the level of predation of cygnets and the construction of the South Jandakot subdivision and associated drainage scheme. (4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(3) There has been no obvious correlation observed between the level of predation of cygnets and the construction of the South Jandakot subdivision and associated drainage scheme. (4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(4) The Department of Environment is currently collating information relating to the South Jandakot subdivision and the associated drainage scheme and the levels of Thomsons and Kogolup Lakes in order to determine whether a review of the environmental conditions (Ministerial Statement No 45 – 27 October 1988) for this drainage scheme should be undertaken. (5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(5) No. (6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(6) Consideration of cygnet predation is not within the scope of the South Jandakot Drainage Scheme Technical Review Committee. (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
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