Answers to Questions

SOUTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT

332 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (20 October 2011) (First Session). Can the Minister for Environment and Conservation advise—

1. Is the minister aware of reported losses of up to 70 per cent in the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons population in the Murraylands from an as yet undetermined disease?

2. Will the minister recall destruction permits issued in the past 12 months until a full assessment of the impact of the disease on the population is determined?

3. Will the Minister immediately issue a moratorium on any further destruction permits being issued until a full assessment of the impact of the disease on the population is determined?

4. (a) Will the minister advise what funding has been given for the research into the cause of the disease; and

(b) Can the minister explain why no funding has been given for the rescue and rehabilitation of hundreds of wombats suffering from the disease?

5. Can the minister advise what resources have been assigned to assess and monitor the main populations of Southern Hairy-nosed wombats in South Australia for the disease and to combat illegal culling?

6. Will the minister commit to protecting wombat burrows to ensure their habitat is protected?

7. Can the minister advise whether the government is willing to commit to purchase land at Portee Station for the reintroduction of rehabilitated wombats?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): I have received this advice:

1. A proportion of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats in the Murraylands near Blanchetown have been observed with a health condition. Investigations led by the University of Adelaide School of Animal and Veterinary Science, DEWNR and the Wombat Awareness Organisation have found that the condition is most likely associated with nutritional stress caused by unsuitable diet.

The condition is not widespread across the Murraylands and appears to occur in distinct regions of degraded habitat. Healthy populations of wombats occur in the Murraylands where habitat is healthy, intact, and suitable wombat food resources such as native grasses remain.

2. & 3. In accordance with the government's 'living with wildlife' philosophy all destruction permit requests are considered very carefully and seek to balance the needs of wildlife and the impacts on human activities. Should the circumstances arise where damage to crops, stock or other property is occurring and other non-lethal alternatives are unable to address the situation, destruction permits may be issued for the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat.

A multidisciplinary team of ecologists, biologists, veterinary pathologists, wildlife veterinarians, toxicologists, wildlife carers, non-government conservation organisations, land managers and wildlife policy officers are working together to understand the condition and monitor affected populations.

4. (a) In 2011, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Research Partnerships Fund allocated $65,115 to fund a State-wide survey of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats. The research project also benefited from support from Zoos SA.

The government has allocated $29,750 and $29,600 respectively for research into sustainable wombat habitat restoration on the Moorunde Wildlife Reserve and management of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats in Agricultural Areas through the 2012-13 Natural Resource Management Community Grants program. In addition, DEWNR has allocated a further $26,867 towards researching management of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats in Agricultural Areas through the DEWNR Research Partnerships Fund 2012-13.

In 2013 the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Research Partnerships Fund has allocated $10,000 to fund further research by the University of Adelaide School of Animal and Veterinary Science into the health and dietary habits of Murraylands Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats.

(b) The focus of the government's funding is on research in order to provide guidance on the landscape scale management for conservation of affected wombat populations. Rescue permits are, and will continue to be, issued under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for the rescue and rehabilitation of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats by animal care groups such as the Wombat Awareness Organisation.

5. The government has been working with non-governmental organisations, private landholders and universities to monitor and manage the population of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats within the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB). Research has been undertaken into the cause of the health issues observed in the region and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources has been working collaboratively with wildlife health vets at Flinders and Adelaide Universities to better understand the cause. The department is looking at the issue on a landscape scale to implement long term solutions that will benefit the wombat population into the future.

Through the Woodland Bushbids program, support is being provided to landholders involving over ten thousand (10,000) hectares of the Western Murray Mallee to improve habitat condition.

We are determined to improve the SAMDB landscape for the benefit of the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats and a large suite of other native plants and animals found in the region.

Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, and all reported breaches against the Act, such as the illegal destruction of wombats, are investigated.

6. The government is committed to protecting native wildlife through the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Bulldozing of burrows, where there is evidence of wombats in residence, is not allowed as a method of destruction of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats.

7. The government does not have plans to purchase land at Portee Station for the reintroduction of rehabilitated Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats. In South Australia, habitat for the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat exists within, and is protected by, at least 18 reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and 11 Heritage Agreements under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. These 29 protected areas cover over six million hectares of land altogether.