Penguin Island - Concerns re Proposed Facilities Upgrade

While the final reports on the most recent breeding season are not yet out, anecdotally we know that breeding has been concerningly low.

Extinction of this colony is drawing ever closer under our watch. 

And while the Environment Minister Reece Whitby put a stop to the proposed new build on Penguin Island (which would have decimated the penguin population) some 18 months ago due to the public outcry, disturbing elements of the original proposal have remained. 

The disturbing element is a boardwalk extension over an area of high-quality penguin nesting habitat. This extension originally formed part of the 2022 proposal to build a new Penguin Discovery Centre on Penguin Island which was withdrawn by the Environment Minister due to public concern.

See red circled area. The scientists have repeatedly warned the DBCA about the potential impacts of this proposed boardwalk, but they are still not listening.

The proposed location of the boardwalk extension is concerning as it is runs within a few metres of an important penguin landing site.  This could have significant implications for accessibility to the breeding colony for arriving penguins.

It is now only weeks prior to the proposed commencement of works. 

We need supporters to email the following members of WA Parliament as a matter of urgency.

Minister for Environment - Minister.Whitby@dpc.wa.gov.au 

Minister for Tourism - Minister.Saffioti@dpc.wa.gov.au

Member for Rockingham - magenta.marshall@mp.wa.gov.au

WA Premier Roger Cook - wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au

Member for Brand - madeleine.king.mp@aph.gov.au

Below are some additional talking points. 

• The problem with this extension is that the area where it's proposed, is a newly established and critical arrival location for little penguins. 
• The scientists have advised that alterations of arrival beaches that impact penguin access can have significant population level effects.
• This site is extensively used by penguins for moulting due to its proximity to the beach, proximity to a landfall site and likely cooler microclimate. Penguins use both the boardwalk and a Casuarina tree that provides an optimal moulting environment. Construction that impedes access to these sites, or discourages use, could force penguins to moult in less optimal environments potentially leading to increased risk of heat stress.
• There is already sufficient boardwalk. The additional boardwalk is only for aesthetic and ‘visitor flow’ reasons. And the scientists have advised against it. 
• Scientists are concerned that the proposed additional infrastructure on the site of prime penguin habitat, adjacent to landing sites and penguin thoroughfares, may push the local population to extinction.  
• Plans for the new boardwalk across this high-quality nesting habitat presents too much of a risk to the penguin colony.

Please email the following members of parliament today  Minister.Whitby@dpc.wa.gov.au  Minister.Saffioti@dpc.wa.gov.au magenta.marshall@mp.wa.gov.au wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au  madeleine.king.mp@aph.gov.au