New funding for endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo

The Liberal-National Government has allocated $360,000 to help protect the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo while providing greater certainty for developers through improved information on cockatoo habitat.

Under a joint project between the Department of Environment and Conservation and Department of Planning, Carnaby's nesting and living habitats will be surveyed and the information plotted and made available to planners and developers, landholders and community generally.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the project was part of the State Government's $3.5million allocation to Natural Resource Management projects and would lead to better informed decision making in future land development.

"Carnaby's black cockatoos have been specially protected by the State Government in response to the reduction of habitat and food sources which has caused a decline in numbers over the years," she said.

"About 15,000 of the nomadic birds are estimated to visit the Swan Coastal Plain, however, a concentrated effort from a variety of stakeholders and the community is needed."

Planning Minister John Day said one of the project's major objectives was to develop a geographic information system tool that would assist both conservation and land use planning while ensuring there is adequate and appropriate habitat for Carnaby's black cockatoos in the Swan, Avon and South Coast regions.

"This project will provide benefits for the interface between planning and the environment by providing a clearer understanding of land use pressures and constraints," Mr Day said.

"It will allow more informed planning to take place by providing valuable information on Carnaby's black cockatoo habitats as part of the planning decision process."

Mrs Faragher said the project would include a survey of the potential breeding sites to help learn more about which nesting sites are active and therefore most valuable.

There would also be digital maps and information on what to plant to create Carnaby's habitat.

All survey information, which will be finalised by the middle of 2010, will be made available online through DEC and the Department of Planning.

Environment Minister's office  - 9213 7250

Planning Minister's office - 9213 6600