nghenvironmental were engaged by the Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks Service Division, Far South Coast Region, to undertake a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the proposed Seabird Habitat Restoration Project (SHRP).
The REF assessed the proposed SHRP developed by Parks Rangers from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). This study assessed the potential impacts of controlling and eradicating kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) from Montague Island and to restore native habitat for the seabirds that breed on the Island. Most importantly, the REF assessed the impacts that the proposed project would have on the Island's colony of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) and Shearwaters (Puffinus spp.).
This somewhat contentious proposal has highlighted the varied concerns over restoring native habitat for the benefit of breeding colonies of little penguins and shearwaters, without impacting on their populations or survival as a species, particularly in relation to the use of herbicide and fire as tools in achieving the objectives of the SHRP.
nghenvironmental looks forward to witnessing positive outcomes that will result from this program being implemented in manageable stages over the next six years.
