2017-01-27
The Greens have accused the State and Federal environment ministers of serious neglect, as earthmoving equipment moves into the Beeliar Wetlands and community action escalates to stop the project.
Correspondence between Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and Enviroment Minister Josh Frydenburg has confirmed that legally required surveys of nest sites of the threatened Carnaby black cockatoo and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo hadn't even been sighted by his Department.
"We demanded a copy of the surveys, having strong reasons to believe they were either deficient or may not have been completed at all," Senator Ludlam said.
"For weeks I have been asking Minister Frydenburg to release the survey of nesting sites for Carnaby Black Cockatoo and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo before clearing began in the wetland. As of today, nothing.
"We call on the Minister to release the survey figures to prove they undertook these surveys at all."
Greens MLC for South Metropolitan region Lynn MacLaren also wrote to the State minister Albert Jacobs, alerting him to a lack of evidence that surveys were conducted before clearing began.
"The Government wants to force this project through before the election in March. The community has other ideas," she said.
"These ministers are kicking back while bulldozers tear up the ecosystems they are charged to protect. People are being arrested for trying to protect the environment, while the responsible Ministers have their backs turned."
"The State election can't come soon enough," Ms MacLaren said.