Threatened Species

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister update the chamber on the South Australian government's initiatives to halt and decrease the number of threatened species and raise awareness within the community about this important work?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. South Australia has a quite diverse range of species across the state, many that we share with other jurisdictions but also quite a number of endemic species. Australia is one of only two developed megadiverse countries in the world, I am advised, countries with extremely high levels of biodiversity, and these plants and animals are essential to our identity and wellbeing, as well as our long-term economic prosperity. I see a quizzical look on the face of the Hon. Mr Parnell. He is bound to ask me a supplementary about what the other country is; it is the USA, Mr Parnell.

The fight to halt the growing numbers of species that are threatened with extinction is a significant part of the work the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources undertakes. An important part of this work is achieved through strategic partnerships and raising awareness in the community about the importance of such efforts.

The Bounceback program is one fantastic example of how the state government is partnering public and private land managers across the Flinders, Olary and Gawler Ranges. It was the first such conservation program in the state that brought together pastoral, Aboriginal, non-government and government land managers to oversee entire landscapes. The benefits of such a collaborative approach include protecting important species and sites of cultural significance to Aboriginal people, the recovery of a number of threatened species, including the iconic yellow-footed rock wallaby, and making pastoral businesses more viable.

An exciting development in the Bounceback program has been the establishment of a major public-private environmental partnership with the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME). This will see an additional investment of $1 million of privately sourced funds flow into the Bounceback program to support the return of the local extinct western quoll and common brush-tailed possum to the Flinders Ranges. I understand the common brush-tailed possum has just been reintroduced and is doing very well, according to the latest reports.

A further example of the innovative initiatives that the government is involved in to protect threatened species is Goanna Watch. This is a recently launched public campaign to gather information about, and track the status of, the heath goanna, one of our state's endangered reptiles. Goanna Watch is a fantastic partnership initiative that was conceived in 2014 between the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board and the Discovery Circle. It was co-funded by the state government, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board, the Marion and Salisbury local councils and the University of South Australia.

The Cleland Wildlife Park joined the Goanna Watch partnership in 2015 with the addition of two Rosenberg's goannas to their collection. People are being encouraged to report any sightings, including location and photos, if possible. I understand—and I hope they are still in stock; I probably should not raise this—there are some very handy fridge magnets for Goanna Watch with a Goanna Watch phone number to call, which encourages people to get involved in this very useful program.

Each of these programs illustrates how we can and indeed must play an important role in the protection of our native flora and fauna. The intervention required to halt our biodiversity decline will take dedicated planning, innovation and endeavours across government, the private sector and the public sector.

Ongoing decline will see not only the loss of species that are culturally and ecologically important to the state, but also lost tourism and lifestyle opportunities, deteriorating water and air quality and lower primary production. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to congratulate DEWNR staff and other partners and members of the community who were involved in making these programs so successful and look forward to an ongoing partnership with them all into the future.