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The Western Australian Government has today announced that areas of a former pine plantation in Perth's north will be rehabilitated as habitat for the endangered Carnaby's cockatoo under a partnership between the Water Corporation and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

In order to protect vital groundwater resources, more than 5,600 native seedlings are being planted across a 28-hectare site in Pinjar that was previously a pine plantation.

In addition to promoting and protecting recharge to the Gnangara Groundwater System, which provides about 40% of Perth's drinking water to the metropolitan area, the native vegetation will also provide valuable habitat for native wildlife.

This project is contributing toward a wider DBCA program that will utilise opportunities to create and manage habitat for native wildlife, including foraging and roosting habitat for the endangered Carnaby's cockatoo, in the former pine plantation and bushland areas of Gnangara State forest.

The partnership also helps meet the Water Corporation's no-net-clearing commitment, which offsets required land clearing with hectare-for-hectare revegetation. This aligns with the Western Australian Government's 'liveable environment' priorities by increasing conservation for future generations and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

Western Australian Water Minister Dave Kelly advises "this project delivers a number of benefits, not only by creating habitat for native birdlife such as the iconic and endangered Carnaby's cockatoo but also through its use of native vegetation to protect vital groundwater sources.

"Protecting and improving sensitive groundwater sources like the Gnangara Groundwater System is critical to securing Perth's future water supply in the face of climate change."

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson added that the State Government is committed to the recovery and protection of Carnaby's cockatoo, with extensive work being done to conserve the endangered species while also noting "this project complements a further 20,000 seedlings that were also planted by DBCA this year as part of an ongoing program that has seen 15,000 to 20,000 seedlings planted in Gnangara each year, over the past five years.

"DBCA will continue to collaborate with the community and organisations to return native vegetation to the former pine plantation areas of the Gnangara State forest and create habitat for the endangered Carnaby's cockatoo and other native wildlife.

"It's great to see DBCA and the Water Corporation working together to improve the species' habitat to aid conservation efforts for Carnaby's cockatoo."

Image of Carnaby's cockatoo courtesy of Western Australian Museum 

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