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Download Roe 8 Fact Sheet 1 - WETLANDS 5 July2011
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Save Beeliar Wetlands Factsheet 1 of 4 A Wetland Worth Saving The planned extension of Roe Highway known as ‘Roe 8’ will wreak irrevocable damage to the Beeliar Wetlands, an urban sanctuary of great ecological significance and heritage value. The Beeliar Wetlands are the most significant site of Aboriginal heritage in Perth, south of the Swan River. Waugal, Firestick and Spirit Children Dreaming stories are integral to this site. Roe 8 will desecrate this heritage. Beeliar Wetlands, a network of wetlands that includes North Lake, Bibra Lake and Roe Swamp, are also a sanctuary for wildlife, showcasing outstanding biodiversity, including rare native species and migratory wading birds. The Environmental Protection Authority has argued that any road alignment through this area should be rejected as it would sever linkages between the wetlands, resulting in serious biodiversity impacts. Already 80 per cent of the wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain have been destroyed. The rare and endangered species threatened by Roe 8 include: Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Southern Brown Bandicoot Graceful Sun Moth Lined Skink Peregrine Falcon Spotless Crake Buff-Banded Rail King Spider Orchid Wetland vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain is being lost or degraded at the rate two football ovals per day.1 Biodiversity Under Threat There are nine distinct ecological communities on the site, including Banksia attenuata woodland which is listed as “Endangered” under the Federal Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Roe Swamp, a breeding ground and habitat for several endangered species, will be significantly degraded by the project. Recent studies recorded 198 fauna species in the area. 177 species of native birds are likely to be present. Migratory wading birds like greenshanks, dotterels, red-necked stints, plovers and sharp-tailed sandpipers are often sighted in the area. Bilateral agreements with China, Japan and South Korea help protect these international frequent flyers. 1. EPA (2007) State of the Environment Report 2007: Section 4.3: Loss or Degradation of Wetlands, http:// www.soe.wa.gov.au/report/inland-waters/loss-or-degradation-of-wetlands.html What is Roe 8? The Barnett-Grylls State Government plans to extend Roe Highway from the Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road. This would irrevocably damage the Beeliar Wetlands between North and Bibra Lakes. Severing Connectivity Quendas, lizards, frogs and turtles will not be able to safely cross this highway; nor will swans, who walk their cygnets from North Lake to Bibra Lake to stay until they can fly. Quendas, like many native animals, are too timid to pass under bridges or through fauna underpasses which leave them vulnerable to predators. Each wetland’s ecological community relies on water flow between the neighbouring wetlands. A bridge design would still affect connectivity and inhibit plant growth. Connectivity is critical and cannot be maintained with any Roe 8 option. Polluting the Wetlands On average 60,000 trucks and cars might use Roe 8 daily. Despite the proposed drains, oil, diesel particulates and heavy metals would build up over decades, affecting every species using the wetland. A single accident like a fuel truck overturning, would pollute groundwater and devastate the wetlands. Acid-Sulphate Soils The Roe 8 project would invade high-risk acid sulphate soil areas. Once disturbed by road and bridge building these soils become acidic - causing serious environmental and health impacts. Runoff from these soils can potentially kill aquatic life in the surrounding water, requiring complex and expensive remediation. Government protection for the Beeliar wetlands Bush Forever site 244 CALM Class A Reserve The Beeliar Regional Park Strategy Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain) Lakes Policy 1992 Wetlands Conservation Policy for WA (1997) Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) Wetlands Position Statement (2001) Regulatory Impact Assessment: Revised Draft Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands Environmental Protection Policy (2004) Interim Register of the National Estate of the Australian Government Heritage Commission China Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (CAMBA) Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (JAMBA) South Korea Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (ROKAMBA) Groups who want to protect Beeliar Wetlands from Roe 8 The National Trust of Australia (WA) The Metropolitan Commission of Aboriginal Elders The Wetlands Conservation Society WWF Cockatoo Coalition Save Beeliar Wetlands Group The North Lake Residents Association The WA Conservation Council The Wilderness Society The ALP The Greens Why we oppose Roe 8 Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Roe 8 will wreak irrevocable damage to these wetlands of great ecological significance and heritage value. Roe 8 will not improve access to the ports or our freight network. Roe 8 is a road to nowhere. Roe 8 will not solve our freight or passenger transport problems – only compound them. Roe 8 is a waste of millions of dollars desperately needed elsewhere. These beautiful birds feed in the North Lake Reserve. 78 hectares of their habitat will be cleared for this road. They are endangered after having their numbers halved in the past 40 years — due primarily to land clearing. The future of this species is at stake. Authorised by Save the Wetlands Take action, make a submission to the Public Environmental Review by 12 Sept 2011. Visit these websites for more information: Lynn MacLaren MLC savebeeliarwetlands.com ntwa.com.au southmetroconnect.com.au epa.wa.gov.au Member for South Metropolitan Region www.lynnmaclaren.org.au phone (08) 9430 7233 Printed by The Environmental Printing Company 305a Railway Parade, Maylands