BirdLife Australia has written to the Federal Government asking for development approval of Hunter Economic Zone site to be revoked based on the new information a recent assessment has brought to light.
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A paper published in the Australian Field Ornithology journal says plans to develop the industrial estate could drive the regent honeyeater to extinction.
The report indicates that the site contains one of the most important breeding habitats for this extremely rare bird.
“We are now certain that regent honeyeaters rely on this site for food and to breed,” BirdLife Australia head of conservation Samantha Vine said.
“Development of this site will be catastrophic for this imperilled species.”
According to the article’s lead author, Mick Roderick, the most significant known regent honeyeater breeding event in recent times occurred within the Tomalpin woodlands, which the HEZ will develop.
The report found that in 2007-8, observers recorded 20 nests and around 100 individual birds – representing around 25 per cent of this species’ current global population.
“The birds’ breeding habitat in the Tomalpin woodlands must be protected to ensure the ongoing survival of the Regent Honeyeater,” Ms. Vine said.
“They face increasing pressures from mining developments, climate change and pests, and depend on this area as a refuge.”
BirdLife Australia is also calling on the Cessnock City Council and NSW Government to find an alternative site for the industrial estate.
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CALLING ALL BIRD WATCHERS
Next week (October 20-26) is National Bird Week, and BirdLife Australia is launching its first-ever Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
The goal for the week is for Australian bird counters to spot a total of 100,000 birds, providing BirdLife Australia with data to form a more detailed picture of the current state of Australian birdlife.
Full details and a smartphone app are available here.
