Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for the Environment, in writing, on 14 July 2014:

(1)    Is it a fact that under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, any action that has the potential to significantly impact a population of a threatened species must be referred to his department for assessment.

(2)    Was the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ burning in the

(a) Little Desert National Park,

(b) Lower Glenelg National Park,

(c) Cobboboonee National Park,and

(d) Rennick State Forest, in April 2014 referred to his department for assessment; if not, should it have been, if so, what action will he take.

(3)    Did this burning program include 5000 hectares in the Rennick State Forest, which had a population of 30 to 60 of the south eastern sub-species of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Victoria’s 2006 Commonwealth Games emblem).

(4)    Is there agreement that no more than 15 per cent of the south-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo stringybark habitat should be burnt within a ten year period.

(5)    Did the Victorian Government’s burning program mean that 27 per cent of the south eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo habitat has now been burnt in the last ten years.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

1. Any person proposing to undertake an action that is likely to have a significant impact on a nationally listed threatened species must refer their action for assessment and decision under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

It is important to note that not all activities that have the potential to impact on nationally protected matters will result in a significant impact that requires referral.

2.The prescribed burns listed were not referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and, based on advice provided at the time by the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industry; the Department considered that there was not likely to be significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance. I am advised that the Department of the Environment has engaged with the Victorian environment department to address state wide prescribed burns in a strategic manner.

3.    With respect to the honourable member’s questions regarding the extent and areas burned by the Victorian Government, I suggest the member direct these questions to the relevant Victorian department which conducted the burns and hold the relevant information.

4.    I am advised that there is no formal agreement between the Australian Government and the Victorian Government defining the percentage of south-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo stringybark habitat that can be burnt within a 10 year period.

5.    For specific details on the areas burned I suggest the question be directed to the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.