LITTLE CORELLAS

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (10 March 2011).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. The Department of Environment and Natural resources (DENR) has already convened meetings with the City of Onkaparinga Executive and these have been productive sessions. Similar meetings are currently being organised with the Alexandrina Council Executive.

DENR recognises the Little Corella management challenges in the Strathalbyn area and has provided support to Alexandrina Council in a variety of ways including:

DENR, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, the City of Onkaparinga and Alexandrina Council jointly funded a visit by a corella expert from Victoria to Old Noarlunga in March 2010 to examine ways to effectively manage the impacts of the large number of Little Corellas in the region. The report was provided to the project partners in April 2010, and has since been distributed to the public.

DENR has, and continues to advise the Alexandrina Council on a range of options available for reducing the impacts of Little Corellas.

In 2010, DENR issued a trap and gas permit to Alexandrina Council and participated in the trap and gas operation undertaken at Strathalbyn in order to better understand the Little Corella population dynamics at the site.

A DENR representative attended all Alexandrina Council community forums on Little Corella management in 2010 and participation in future forums is anticipated.

On Thursday 10 March 2011, a DENR representative met with staff from the Alexandrina Council to determine a Little Corella population estimate, discuss the management of Little Corellas in the community, and approaches for improving management strategies and disturbance management techniques.

DENR remains committed to assisting Alexandrina Council with reducing the conflicts between Little Corellas and residents in the area.