Brigadoon subdivision — Impact on Carnaby's Black Cockatoo
1202. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Environment
I refer to the decision by the Acting Minister for Environment, to dismiss appeals against the proposed subdivision of lots 1010 and 1022, Campersic Road in Brigadoon. The Environmental Protection Authority appeals committee noted that this subdivision was likely to have a negative impact on the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, due to loss of foraging habitat and that this impact could be significant. In his decision, the Acting Minister noted that the proposed revegetation activities by the developer would provide foraging species for the Carnaby’s Cockatoos, offsetting the loss in the development area. I ask -
(1) Did the developer provide evidence that it has successfully revegetated similar areas to provide functional Carnaby’s Cockatoo habitat in the past?
(2) Is the Minister aware of any revegetation projects in the Darling Scarp to rehabilitate Carnaby’s Cockatoo habitat?
(3) If yes to (2), have these projects led to an increase of cockatoo numbers to pre-clearing levels?
(4) If no to (3), how can the Minister be confident that the proposed revegetation activities will mitigate/offset the proposed clearing?
(5) What is the likely rate of seedling survival in the revegetation proposed by the developer?
(6) Given the clearing required for bushfire management and the ongoing need to maintain fuel in uncleared areas at half the existing level, does the Minister think it is likely that every landowner will be able to take advantage of the 1000 free seedlings the developers are offering as part of their revegetation strategy?
(7) Can the Minister advise how long it is expected to take until the seedlings used in the revegetation activities will reach a point where they will be useful as foraging trees for the Carnabys Cockatoos?
(8) Will the Department of Environment and Conservation monitor the area to assess the progress of revegetation activities?
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied:
(1) The proponent's undertaking in relation to revegetation was provided in the context of the assessment being undertaken under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). From information provided by the Appeals Committee, the proponent did not provide details of previous revegetation activities it has undertaken.
(2) No.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) As noted in the answer to question (1), the proponent's undertakings arose in the context of the assessment undertaken under the provisions of the Commonwealth EPBC Act. The Acting Minister noted that the mitigation measures identified through the Commonwealth process will assist in reducing the residual impacts. The proposed revegetation can lessen the impacts of the proposed clearing as it will focus on species which provide foraging habitat for Carnaby's Cockatoos. It will further lessen the potential impacts of clearing as the proposed revegetation measures include revegetation of approximately 60 hectares within the subdivision area, and approximately 100 hectares within the parks and recreation area.
(5) This would depend on several factors including the nursery practices in growing the seedlings, the species selected, the amount and quality of preparation of the rehabilitation area (such as weed control), the quality of the actual planting and the weather pre and post planting.
I am advised that the EPBC Act approval requires the developer to prepare a Vegetation and Fire Management Plan which incorporates measures to ensure that a survivorship rate for all revegetation activities must be at least 90% after three years.
(6) I understand the condition of vegetation within the proposed lots varies considerably, thus providing a range of opportunities for landowners to take up the offer of the developer to plant seedlings. Fire management requirements would need to be taken into account for any plantings.
(7) I am advised that this would depend on several factors. As an approximate measure Banksia species would probably start to produce a useful amount of food from 7 to 10 years, while Eucalypts (such as Marri) would be after 10 years.
(8) The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for monitoring and compliance with approvals issued under the EPBC Act.