Local Biodiversity Strategy: - Shire of Kalamunda

Summary of General Comments Officer Comments Reference for
Items Actioned
Several targets refer to ‘significant or substantial populations’ of
Priority Species or Threatened and Specially Protected Species.
Recommend the word ‘viable’ be used instead. The former words
are open for interpretation. The aim should be to protect
populations of flora and fauna that are viable in the long term.
Definition of what is a viable population of a species can be
better determined and more objective than relying on subjective
judgements of what is considered significant or substantial.
Comment noted. Considered in the development of the
Local Biodiversity Strategy. The term viable is also difficult
to quantify as what a viable population may be for long
term retention of a particular species is not well known.
The Local Biodiversity Strategy does not mention ‘Potentially
Threatened Ecological Communities’ and significant flora and
fauna species (other than rare and priority species).
Significant species are recognised by the EPA as a conservation
priority (EPA 2006). The list of significant species for the Perth
Metropolitan Region is listed in Bush Forever Volume 2 (Govt. of
Western Australia 2000b).
Box 6 on page 40, What is the definition of substantial in ‘retain
and protect natural areas containing substantial populations of
…’?
Priority one and two flora species should be ensured absolute
protection, regardless of the size, if their loss should mean
extinction of the species.
Document amended to reflect comment. See Section 8
Biodiversity
Feature Targets
pages 33 – 48.
Comment noted. Considered in the development of the
Local Biodiversity Strategy. Although various State
Government policies refer to priority species, Statutory
protection would benefit from the introduction of a State
Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Comment noted. Considered in the development of the
Local Biodiversity Strategy. The term substantial is also
difficult to quantify as what a substantial population may
be for long term retention of a species is variable and
should be considered on a case by case basis.
Comment noted. Priority flora have the same level of
protection as all endemic species under the Wildlife
Conservation Act, 1950. The Shire looks forward to the
introduction of the impending Biodiversity Conservation
Local Biodiversity Strategy Page 115