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The Hon. CHRISTINE ROBERTSON: Can the Minister for Lands tell the House about the conservation program to encourage the survival of the threatened shorebird, the pied oystercatcher?
The Hon. TONY KELLY: I am pleased to inform the House that this Government is actively addressing the future of the shorebird, the pied oystercatcher. The pied oystercatcher is a distinctive native shorebird that is listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. This shorebird's future is part of a comprehensive plan of management to protect threatened species in the Richmond River area. The multiagency approach involves the Department of Lands, the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Tweed-Lismore Rural Lands Protection Board, the Department of Environment and Conservation, Ballina Shire Council and Richmond Valley Council. The general public and local interest groups are also being consulted, and their views will be taken into account in the management strategy.
The pied oystercatcher is found in coastal areas throughout Australia. However, this particular program is focused on the breeding ground contained within a 55-kilometre stretch south of Ballina to the new section of the Bundjalung National Park. The Richmond River area is a significant breeding area for the bird in New South Wales and is home to around 170 of the estimated 250 individual birds. Population growth, housing development, human recreational activity and introduced pests in the region have increased the pressure on the survival of this shorebird. On occasion people quite unknowingly disturb birds from their nests, which exposes their eggs and chicks to predation and weather extremes. Introduced pests such as foxes, dogs, feral cats and feral pigs naturally take advantage in these circumstances.
Foxes are a particular problem for the pied oystercatcher and fox baiting programs on Crown land and national parks have had good success in recent years. However, housing development is restricting fox baiting and the effort to protect the pied oystercatcher must now be stepped up. Public education and awareness of the issue are obviously keys to protecting the species and will be a central part of the future management strategy. Public meetings have been held to encourage the general public and interest groups to take a part in this important project. A public meeting was held at South Ballina Beach in September to discuss the major threat to the breeding success of the pied oystercatcher from introduced animals such as the fox. At that meeting people were told about the strategy to link current fox baiting efforts on public land with baiting on adjacent private land. A second public meeting was held in Ballina last week, on 13 October. Public feedback from these meetings forms an important part in the preparation of a threatened species management strategy for these coastal lands. The meetings ensure neighbours and stakeholders have input into the planning process.
The successful conservation of the threatened pied oystercatcher is dependent on the co-operation and assistance of the local community. I am heartened by the public response and the co-operation demonstrated by the wide range of public agencies involved. Submissions are currently being received on a discussion paper on the threats to the pied oystercatcher. Following this, a draft management strategy will be developed and placed on public exhibition, where comments will be invited.