MEDIA
RELEASE
THURS SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
New homes for BathurstÕs possums
Environmental consultant Ray Mjadwesch is
giving away possum boxes. Anyone who would like to help re-house the possums
expected to be made homeless by Bathurst Regional Council's tree removal
program, or who would just like to improve habitat in their yard, can have one.
Mr Mjadwesch, of Mjadwesch Environmental
Service Support, said that rehoming possums required a staged and careful
approach.
He said that the scene at the Cathedral School
last Friday in which terrified
possums ran from a tree being felled on
neighbouring land was an example of what could happen on a large scale as a
result of Bathurst Regional Council's plans (as described in Western Advocate
29/8/07) if certain protocols weren't followed.
"Before any tree is lopped or removed, it
should be checked to see if it is being used as habitat by possums, birds or
other animals," Mr Mjadwesch said.
Mr Mjadwesch said it was important for people
to contact the NPWS or WIRES when homeless or injured native animals were
discovered.
"Don't just take them out of town and
drop them off, because they are likely to die very quickly. Animals need to be
rehomed close to where they were found."
Mr Mjadwesch praised Patrick Allen, Principal
of the Cathedral School, who allowed him to put up five possum boxes in the
school for the homeless and distressed animals.
"These animals are used to having
play-lunches for dinner. The kids were incredibly interested and felt very
responsible and protective towards the possums, so this has to be the best
place to put boxes for these animals" Mr Mjadwesch said.
"I have approached Council about the need
to extend a protocol to people wanting to remove trees. This needs to start
with identification of trees used by native fauna. The whole community can work
together to make sure our native animals don't suffer as a result of any tree
felling program," he said.
Councilor Tracey Carpenter said the protection
of wildlife should be considered in regard to future approvals for private
removals and for Council's own implementation of the Street Tree Audit program.
"Anyone removing a tree should be advised
on the need to inspect for wildlife and directed to the appropriate people to
help them safely relocate any nests and occupants,Ó she said. ÒI am calling on
Council to address this issue before any future removals are approved.
"A large number of mature trees, which
provide important habitat, are to be removed under Council's Street Tree Audit but
no measures are yet in place for protecting our very vulnerable wildlife.
ÒWe don't even know yet which trees are to be
removed. The implementation of the project needs careful consultation and
planning through Council's Vegetation Management Plan Reference Group,"
said Cr Carpenter.
Mr Mjadwesch said a positive result from the
tree-lopping day at the Cathedral School was that the tree-cutting contractor
transported the larger sections of the tree to Boundary Road Reserve. The logs
were now providing habitat for lizards, frogs, small mammals and invertebrates.
"Replacing logs back into the landscape
is an important way to help protect our native wildlife,Ó Mr Mjadwesch said.
Mr Mjadwesch said that ideally people would
start taking responsibility for
protecting wildlife by putting up alternative
accommodation before removing habitat.
"Even better, don't remove habitat trees
unless it is absolutely essential," he added.
Ray Mjadwesch can be contacted on 6331 5858.
Clr Tracey Carpenter can be contacted on 0408 228946.
You can also contact NPWS on 6332 7640 and WIRES on 6331 1066.
GET THE WORD OUT WITH SQUAWKINÕ
GALAH!
SquawkinÕ
Galah Communications is the business name of sole trader, Tracy Sorensen.
Responsibility for comment in this media release resides with Tracy Sorensen
and Ray Mjadwesch.
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