by Sharon Webb

BIRRALEE RESIDENTS have decried the hypocrisy of the State Liberal government in boasting about its high spending on wildlife conservation while preparing to obliterate wildlife habitat for a new prison.

The latest in series of government announcements is from local Lyons member Guy Barnett, in September announcing the success of spending $100,000 on a wombat mange treatment.

‘The Tasmanian Government is supporting ongoing efforts to find the best way to treat wombats afflicted by sarcoptic mange’, Mr Barnett declared.

We will continue working with researchers and the community to manage the impacts of sarcoptic mange on our wombat population.’

Wombats, which DPIPWE lists as declining in number from Deloraine to Narawntapu National Park area in the decade to 2019, have been seen on the 70 hectare Birralee Reserve site planned for the prison, along with endangered Wedge-tailed eagles and Tasmanian devils

In September also, Parks and Wildlife Minister Roger Jaensch used the occasion of Threatened Species Day to announce a review of the Tasmanian Threatened Eagle Recovery Plan.

‘We are continuing to work with all levels of government and with universities, wildlife parks and research institutions to identify potential new threats and respond appropriately’, Mr Jaensch said.

In addition, a government spokesman said over the past six financial years to 30 June, the Tasmanian government invested a total of approximately $12 million into the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.

‘Over the past two years, this investment has included an additional allocation in 2017–18 of $450,000 per annum over four years to help offset the cessation of the Australian government’s funding contribution for the program’, the spokesman said.

Spokesperson for the Birralee neighbours of the site, Aaron Reader, said, ‘On one hand, the Government assures Tasmanians it is spending a vast sum of money trying to save our threatened and endangered species. Then on the other, it’s prepared to bulldoze this unique site and destroy habitat of the very same flora and fauna it claims to protect.

‘Publicly available information available on the government’s own website, The List, shows existing natural values on Brushy Rivulet Crown Reserve.’ Birralee naturalist, Sarah Lloyd OAM said she has also seen endangered birds such as the masked owl and the grey goshawk on the reserve.

‘Birdwatchers will fly anywhere in the world to see endemic species and this government wants to demolish their habitat’, she said. ‘This is Tasmanian biological heritage, not a place to put a prison.’

Any attempt to link our ongoing investment in treating wombat mange to the Northern Regional Prison is simply ridiculous and has no basis in fact’, he said.

‘The Tasmanian Government understands the importance of protecting and managing the environment, while also progressing infrastructure developments which assist our communities

‘The Northern Regional Prison is no exception and we will be fully cognisant of the local environment during this process.

‘Due diligence and further investigations are continuing on site, including work around statutory and master planning. This also includes assessment of any environmental impacts.