Thursday, 23 March 2023

Ministers statements: Hamilton Sanctuary

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:36): Further to the topic of biodiversity, thanks to a half-a-million-dollar investment from the Andrews Labor government, the Hamilton parklands predator-proof fence upgrade is now complete. The new barrier around Hamilton Sanctuary will better protect endangered and threatened animals, including the eastern barred bandicoot and the fat-tailed dunnart. I cannot believe that. It is so cute; google it. The fence includes a floppy top to prevent predators from entering the enclosure. This extra protection allows for other endangered species to be released or temporarily housed in the area and will encourage the recovery of the eastern barred bandicoot population numbers in the area – the first Australian species, my friends to the right, to have its conservation status reclassified from extinct in the wild to endangered.

This is a significant investment from the Andrews Labor government in wildlife recovery following the 2019–20 bushfires and forms part of the $62.2 million biodiversity response and recovery program. Hamilton Sanctuary will act as an emergency shelter location for animals affected by bushfires, giving them a secure home while they wait to be returned to their natural habitat when the risk subsides. The upgraded fence will keep these endangered and threatened animals safe from predators, encouraging population growth. This is a critical step towards protecting and preserving our precious biodiversity, and it is testament to the hard work and dedication of all of those who worked tirelessly to make it happen.