Sewerage pipeline through Peter Murrell Reserve must be rejected

BirdLife Tasmania is disappointed that TasWater has selected an
environmentally damaging route for a sewerage pipeline through the Peter
Murrell Reserve.

The so-called “Blue Route” will pose a serious risk to one of two remaining
mainland Tasmania populations of the Critically Endangered Forty-spotted
Pardalote. The species has very specific habitat requirements, and the
proposed pipeline construction through the Peter Murrell Reserve and its
future operation and maintenance will impact on the only area of this habitat
in the Reserve.

TasWater has ignored widespread community opposition to the Blue Route,
dismissing the 93% of community responses that opposed the route.
Dr Eric Woehler, Convenor of BirdLife Tasmania, said “The Forty-spotted
Pardalote is known to be sensitive to disturbance, so this project threatens
the existence of this small breeding population. This Reserve was established
to protect a biodiversity hotspot and it makes no sense for a public agency to
threaten the Reserve’s natural values when other routes exist. This is
especially the case when the local community and the local care group
(Friends of Peter Murrell Reserve) have clearly indicated that it wants the
Reserve left alone.”

“To claim environmental benefits from the route selected make no sense, and
can not be believed” Dr Woehler said.

“This is a totally avoidable and completely unnecessary intrusion into a
Reserve, and BirdLife Tasmania rejects the claims by TasWater of,
“significant costs” associated with avoiding the Peter Murrrell Reserve”.

“The Peter Murrell Reserve also plays an important role in introducing people,
including school children, to the value of the natural environment, and any
threat to the Reserve’s sustainability such as a sewerage pipeline is out of
step with community expectations and is totally unacceptable” he added.

BirdLife Tasmania calls on the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and the
Tasmanian Government to reject the Blue Route proposed by TasWater, and
to adopt the Black Route to ensure the survival of the Forty-spotted Pardalote
in the Reserve.
Eric Woehler, Convenor, BirdLife Tasmania