Three property developers fined $250,000 for clearing endangered black cockatoo habitat in Baldivis

Three property developers have copped a $250,000 fine after they cleared 10 hectares of endangered black cockatoo habitat in a new Baldivis housing estate. The federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment issued an enforceable undertaking this month to Novalee Nominees Pty Ltd, Estates 77 Pty Ltd and Spatial Property Group Pty Ltd after they violated the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Between May 2015, and August 28, 2017, the developers cleared 10.18 hectares of native vegetation without approval at lots 635, 739 and 740 on Baldivis Road. This land was home to the endangered Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo as well as the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and Baudin’s Black Cockatoo, both listed nationally as vulnerable species. Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos only live in WA’s southwest, but sadly over the past 45 years, the species has declined by 50 per cent as a result of habitat clearing, removal of nests, loss of native food sources and poaching. As part of the undertaking, the companies will pay $250,000 to the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip for research towards the protection and conservation of the protected black cockatoo. The funds will particularly aid the research which currently investigates alternate food species to reduce the impact of food shortages, monitors breeding sites in the Wheatbelt, and identifies the current distribution and ecological status of all the protected birds and their threats to survival. The federal department said the outcome served as a reminder that Australian Government approval must be sought before starting activities that could have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.