Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
Environment Minister, Roger Jaensch confirmed the Department of State Growth has blocked the hollows on six old bluegums – important nesting habitat for the critically endangered swift parrot.
These trees are on a stretch of road slated for road widening that is yet to receive development approval.
Minister Jaensch claimed the blocking of potential swift parrot nesting hollows was, “a common pre-construction practice that presents considerable conservation benefits.”
No Minister Jaensch, a ‘considerable conservation benefit’ would be protecting swift parrot nesting trees from destruction.
The Minister confirmed the trees had been identified by survey as potential habitat. This confirmation was why, he said, the hollows had been blocked.
Under the Liberals’ dystopian administration, removing habitat equates to protection. This is madness and Tasmanians won’t buy it – when it comes to the swift parrot, every tree hollow matters.
As Environment Minister, Roger Jaensch is responsible for the future of threatened species, like the swift parrot. Instead of signing off on the removal of habitat for road works, we suggest the Minister reflects on that responsibility.
BirdLife Tasmania has asked if the removal of critical habitat for the swift parrot breaches the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Minister Jaensch was unwilling to respond to that when questioned this morning in Parliament.
We urge Minister Jaensch to step in and save these potential swift parrot nesting hollows, and, remove any legislative loophole that enables habitat destruction.