THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
063/2008
INCREASED WALLABY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
AT RAAF TINDAL
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP,
today announced that Defence is increasing its wallaby management activities at
RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory.
Large numbers of wallabies are currently preventing fixed-wing civilian aeromedical
services from using the airstrip at dawn and dusk.
“The risk of loss of life through aviation accident requires immediate action,” Dr Kelly
said.
“It is absolutely unacceptable for the Katherine region to be without fixed-wing
aeromedical services when it is possible to mitigate the risk posed by wallabies.”
Defence will engage with representatives from Pearl Aviation this week to discuss the
increased management activities that are aimed at facilitating Pearl Aviation’s return
to Tindal.
There have been two wallaby strikes and one near-miss involving military aircraft at
Tindal in the past few weeks. An escalation in management activities is urgently
required to immediately reduce the risk to aviation safety.
Defence’s wallaby management plan for RAAF Tindal has a number of components
including habitat alteration, trapping, translocation and culling.
“After consultations with the Member for Lingiari the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, the
office of the Northern Territory Health Minister, the Hon. Dr Chris Burns MLA, and
Pearl Aviation, I have directed Defence to implement a more robust and active risk
management activity,” Dr Kelly said.
Defence now plans to undertake a cull before the end of the year, which will be
undertaken in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane
Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-commercial Purposes.
“Rather than waiting for wallabies to reach critical numbers, Defence is now
committed to fully managing the population level,” Dr Kelly said.
This will be complemented by a fencing project to restrict wallaby access to the
airfield. Construction is expected to commence before the end of the year and be
completed by April 2009.
Defence will undertake ongoing monitoring and management activities to minimise
the risk to aviation safety.
Media contacts:
Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):
02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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