Little Corellas

Question put forward to the Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) regarding Little Corella population.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Can the Minister for Environment and Conservation advise -

1. What discussions has the Department for Environment and Natural Resources had with Alexandrina Council and Onkaparinga Council in relation to little corella populations in Strathalbyn and Noarlunga?

2. In relation to Alexandrina Council’s request for the Department for Environment and Natural Resources’ support in population control, what was the response?

3. As Alexandrina Council has directly sought the Department for Environment and Natural Resources’ support for its “Little Corellas Management Plan”, will cooperation on this matter take place?

Answered on 15th May, 2012

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. Staff from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have had numerous discussions and meetings with Onkaparinga and Alexandrina Councils regarding Little Corella management.
DENR recognises the Little Corella management challenges and has provided support to the two Councils in a variety of ways including:

•DENR, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board, and the City of Onkaparinga and Alexandrina Council jointly funded a visit by a corella expert from Victoria to Old Noarlunga in March 2010 to examine ways to effectively manage the impacts of the large number of Little Corellas in the region. The report was provided to the project partners in April 2010, and has since been distributed to the public.

•In November 2010, DENR staff met with the Onkaparinga Council to discuss management plans and the collaboratively funded report by Ian Temby, titled: Managing Impacts of the Little Corella on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The meeting was positive with productive discussion around identifying and improving strategies for managing Little Corellas in Old Noarlunga, as well as clarifying roles and responsibilities associated with Little Corella management more broadly.

•A DENR representative attended all Alexandrina Council community forums on Little Corella management in 2010 and 2011 and participation in future forums is anticipated.

•On 10 March 2011, DENR representatives met with staff from the Alexandrina Council to discuss the management of Little Corellas in the community, and approaches for improving management strategies.

•In September 2011, a representative from DENR met with Alexandrina Council staff to provide comment on the draft 'Alexandrina Council Little Corella Management Plan 2011-2012'. Subsequent feedback was also provided to the Council on this plan.

•In October 2011, DENR staff assisted the Onkaparinga Council to develop an Implementation plan for the Management of Little Corellas in Old Noarlunga and assisted in presenting this to the community at an Information Session in November.

2. DENR is not aware of any formal request from Alexandrina Council for further support in population control.

3. DENR has provided and will continue to provide assistance to the Alexandrina Council with its Little Corella Management Plan.