Mayor Colin Butler with City of Casey’s natural resources officer Lachie Marshall, who holds beaded glasswort, the food source of endangered birds, which is in risk because of illegal four-wheel-drives and motorbikes.By Sarah Schwager
ILLEGAL four-wheel-drivers and motorbike riders are imperilling endangered bird species and protected wetlands in Warneet.
Over the last few years the vehicles have caused significant damage to the precious Western Port wetlands.
The vehicles are eroding and degrading the soil and threatening the habitat of endangered birds by damaging vegetation that is one of their main food sources.
Birds inhabiting the wetlands include the vulnerable white-bellied sea eagle and common fanned piper, the near threatened pied cormorant, royal spoonbill and pacific gull, and the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, with fewer than 150 birds left in the wild.
The City of Casey has now joined the Department of Sustainability and Environment in calling on all Warneet residents to help protect the internationally recognised wetlands.
Casey mayor Colin Butler appealed to residents of the area to be vigilant about four-wheel-drive and motorcycle enthusiasts illegally accessing the wetlands through their property and to report any suspicious activity to council or police.
“I also appeal to the people who are recklessly causing this damage to cease their illegal activity immediately before this precious environmental treasure is damaged beyond repair,” Cr Butler said.
Damaging the wetlands can incur severe penalties under Commonwealth law, including up to $550,000 for an individual and $5.5 million for a body corporate, and up to seven years imprisonment.
Council officers can also apply on-the-spot fines of $100 and police can lay trespassing charges.
Anyone with information on illegal access to the wetlands can anonymously report a breach at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/compliance/index.html.
Alternatively, call Cranbourne Police on 5991 0600 or Casey Council on 9705 5200.
