4.78 MB - Perth Airport

ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY
On 15 July 2004 the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson, approved the 2004 Environment Strategy.
The document outlines site responsive management actions and is the guiding environmental document for Perth Airport. The
Environment Strategy is reviewed every five years.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP
In November 2004, WAC established the Perth Airport Environmental Consultation Group (ECG). It provides a forum for WAC to meet with
external stakeholders, including the Airport Environment Officer, State and Local Government officers, and representatives from conservation
and catchment groups. Three meetings were held during 2004/2005. Topics of discussion included strategies for preventing illegal vehicular
access, feral animal and bird control, bushfire prevention, bird strike and bird control, rehabilitation, and current projects at Perth Airport.
CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA
In November 2004, WAC initiated collaboration with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA). Conservation Volunteers Australia is
Australia’s largest practical conservation organisation managing more than 1500 conservation projects across Australia each year.
Conservation Volunteers Australia recruit volunteers from both the Perth and international communities.
Westralia Airports Corporation provided funding for 40 project days from November 2004 to November 2005, and CVA volunteers
were utilised to undertake a range of on-the-ground conservation activities to deliver management strategy outcomes. Activities
undertaken by the volunteers include; track rehabilitation, weed management, seed collection, planting and litter collection.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
In conjunction with CVA and the City of Belmont, WAC modified an engineered stormwater detention basin into an environmental asset.
This project involved revegetation of a compensating basin on Fauntleroy Avenue, near the Domestic Terminal. Work undertaken included
revegetating the basin banks-a total area of approximately 4,500 square metres. Weed control and soil cultivation were undertaken to
prepare the area for planting. CVA members planted a total of 2,180 native seedlings, grown by Men of the Trees, on the banks.
DISCOURAGING TRESPASSERS
Trespassing on Perth Airport land is an on-going problem, particularly within the conservation and rehabilitation areas. During
2004/2005, WAC continued efforts to prevent illegal vehicular access in the constructed wetland and
Conservation Precincts in general. A number of tracks around the wetland and Precinct 5 were closed
with logs and brushing. Members from CVA distributed additional brushing around the wetland by
hand to protect the emerging seedlings. In addition, Precinct 5 was fenced and heavy-duty gates
were installed at access points. In conjunction with the fencing, new signage was installed,
identifying the area as a conservation zone (see illustration).
Signage installed on the boundary of Conservation Precinct 5 during 2004/2005
PEST CONTROL AND FAUNA MANAGEMENT
Introduced pests such as rabbits, foxes and feral cats continue to pose a threat to the native flora and fauna within the Conservation
Precincts. Westralia Airports Corporation has adopted a ‘target and control’ approach to manage vertebrate pests at Perth Airport.
The objective of the program is to enhance the survivorship of the native fauna through reduced competition and predation.
During 2004/2005, a successful rabbit and fox control program was undertaken using 1080 poison. As no cats were detected on the
site, no control measures were implemented. Westralia Airports Corporation will double rabbit control efforts during the next
reporting period to improve outcomes for both native plants and animals.
In 2003/2004, WAC initiated a long-term monitoring program to assess whether the number of Southern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon
obeslus) present at the airport had increased. While there has been a net increase in total bandicoot track numbers, monitoring
indicates that the number of bandicoot tracks had fluctuated throughout the reporting period. Westralia Airports Corporation will
continue to monitor bandicoot numbers during 2005/2006 to better understand the dynamics of the bandicoot population.
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