Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
The number of eagle injuries and deaths caused by TasNetworks’ distribution lines remains unacceptably high. Yet the government-owned business refuses to do what needs to be done to prevent these magnificent endangered birds from being killed and maimed.
The Greens asked TasNetworks officials a range of questions about the steps they have taken to reduce the rate of eagle deaths and injury. We asked why they had cut funding to the Raptor Refuge, ended their MOU to reduce bird deaths, and continue to build infrastructure that are eagle killers.
We received no satisfactory answers.
TasNetworks have been saying they are taking this issue seriously for decades now, but the evidence shows that is simply not true. Raptor deaths and injuries remain at shocking levels, and the roll out of simple, known, successful birdsafe infrastructure is painfully slow.
If TasNetworks were genuinely committed to doing everything they can to protect threatened eagles from their dangerous poles and wire configuration, they would put a real plan in place – with KPIs – as a real priority.
They’d also be happy to promote the critical voluntary work of organisations like Raptor Refuge of Tasmania, who every day deal with the tragic consequences of TasNetworks’ failings.
Instead all we heard from TasNetworks was the same old excuses the company has been making for 30 years now. It’s an appalling failure, and one they should be ashamed of.