The plot thickens: 'The white paper accused the Government of “flying blind”'

New information emerges regarding the plight of the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoos in Pinjar - "The white paper accused the Government of “flying blind”, having “sold a false bill of goods” and embarking on a “convoluted effort” to avoid complying with part IV of the WA Environmental Protection Act" as reported by Laura Pond, June 14 2016 in Joondulup Times: "An analysis of the plan released by the Environmental Defender’s Office WA in May, authored by its principal solicitor Patrick Pearlman and biodiversity consultant Keith Claymore, was highly critical and echoed Mr Oates’ views on the lack of investigation. The white paper accused the Government of “flying blind”, having “sold a false bill of goods” and embarking on a “convoluted effort” to avoid complying with part IV of the WA Environmental Protection Act. Mr Pearlman said the document purported to streamline environmental approvals and provide a comprehensive environ- mental assessment. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to result in streamlined approvals and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a thorough assessment of environmental impacts, at which point you begin to ask, ‘well, what is it then?’” he said. Mr Pearlman said instead of being assessed under the Act, it appeared the plan would be recommended for approval by way of an “advice” to the minister provided by the WA Environmental Protection Authority under section 16(e). “To our knowledge, this is the first time it has been used to pre-approve or assess broad classes of development over the course of decades,” he said. “We’re just not convinced of the legality, or the wisdom, of what the Government appears to be doing. “It’s very difficult to identify what regime of law is going to apply to this to ensure the environment is adequately protected.” Mr Pearlman said the paper raised fears about the effect of clearing the pine plantations on the cockatoos and the failure to consider the pines’ role in absorbing carbon dioxide. “The sort of cavalier attitude taken towards those impacts where the State’s own population viability analysis suggested losing something like 50 per cent of the regional population of Carnaby’s and then assuring us that the impacts could be managed consistent with the Commonwealth recovery plan, that was jaw-dropping,” he said. “It’s disturbing because the pines are being removed primarily because of their impact on water supplies, without an immediate alternative food source for the cockatoo but the State has repeatedly missed its commitment to enact comprehensive water management legislation that would better manage water in the long run.” Environment Minister Albert Jacob did not respond to questions regarding the effect of the removal of the pines on the cockatoos and whether alternatives had been investigated." Read more here http://www.communitynews.com.au/joondalup-times/news/carnabys-black-cockatoos-residents-still-needling-on-pine-plantation-removal/ WE NEED MORE SIGNATURES to tip us over 2K - SO LIKE, COMMENT, SIGN & SHARE THE PETITION HERE: https://www.change.org/p/dpc-wa-gov-au-save-carnaby-s-black-cockatoo-s-in-pinjar-wa