Plovers wing desal plant

Herald Sun
Saturday 30/6/2007 Page: 17

VICTORIA's $3.1 billion desalination plant may be subject to a rigourous federal environment assessment over its potential impact on the endangered hooded plovers. Birds Australia says it will push for a full assessment of the plant, to be built in the middle of nesting grounds on the coast between Kilcunda and Cape Paterson. Only 450 of the endangered birds are left in Victoria.

Government spokesman Geoff Fraser said a decision on such a study had not yet been made. The extremely rare orange-bellied parrot is unlikely to be at risk: none have been seen in the area, near Powlett River, for more than a decade. But the Department of Sustainability and Environment said it was possible they visited during annual migrations.

Last year, former federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell caused a scandal when he halted a wind farm proposal at Bald Hills over an almost non-existent risk to the rare orange-bellied parrot. This was overturned, but led to better state and federal processes dealing with big developments that could damage rare or endangered flora and fauna.

Birds Australia CEO Graeme Hamilton said hooded plovers' nests were very vulnerable to disturbance and the site's relatively pristine state made it unsuitable. "It's not a particularly sensible place to have it and it's bound to have some impact," he said.

Melbourne Water's feasibility study notes that there are records of sightings of significant species, including the growling grass frog, swamp skink and giant Gippsland earthworm. It says it should be possible to select a site that is not located in areas of suitable habitat for the orange-bellied parrot, one of Australia's rarest creatures. The study says a parrot management plan will be drawn up to ensure there is no risk to the bird.