WARRAWONG SANCTUARY

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation on the topic of the Warrawong wildlife sanctuary.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Sadly, this week the Warrawong wildlife sanctuary in Mylor in the Adelaide Hills officially closed. In addition to the hundreds of species of birds and numerous species of native animals that live in the sanctuary, Warrawong is also the only place on mainland South Australia where the platypus reproduces in the wild. Last month, Zoos South Australia announced that animals currently residing at Warrawong which Zoos SA introduced to the property or which require special care would be relocated to Adelaide or Monarto zoos. This includes all kangaroos, wallabies, bettongs and quokkas, as well as all present—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: —yes, I'd like to hear myself as well, actually—as well as all presentation animals, including caged birds, insects and reptiles. However, as the minister is probably aware, the important platypus population will remain at Warrawong Sanctuary. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given that most animals are to be relocated to Adelaide and Monarto zoos, what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that Warrawong's platypus population will continue to thrive free from predation from feral cats and other pests?

2. What discussions has the government had with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority regarding the safeguarding of Warrawong Sanctuary's platypus population and the future of Warrawong Sanctuary itself?

3. Given Warrawong's important educational programs will no longer be available to many of the 100,000-plus yearly visitors who have previously attended, what alternative programs are being developed to educate people about Australia's native wildlife?

4. Is the government considering working with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, so that visitors can continue to see a platypus population in the wild in our state?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for her most important question and for her ongoing interest in these matters. As most members will be aware by now, the Zoological Society of South Australia's board has announced its decision to close the Warrawong wildlife sanctuary. I understand the society has been reviewing all of its operations, in line with its business plan, in order to identify savings and efficiency measures.

As part of this, it has determined that the Warrawong Sanctuary is not viable for a whole host of reasons which, I think, have been well ventilated in the media. Accordingly, the society has closed its operations at Warrawong as of 1 March 2013, I am advised. I understand that the Warrawong animals were moved to either Monarto or the Adelaide Zoo and that most staff transferred to one of these sites also, with a few electing to take separation packages. This is entirely a business decision for the zoo, as unfortunate as it may be.

While the society operated the business at Warrawong, the site is owned by the Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Contracting Pty Ltd group. It is now a matter for the Ngarrindjeri people to consider the future options for that site.

In relation to the platypus population, I recall seeing some advice that the platypus didn't require human intervention—they were getting along just fine without much help from anybody. I look forward to the outcome that that property will be kept in a way that the platypus will be protected from predation by foxes and other predators.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Lensink has a supplementary.