Page 1980 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019
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9. EPD field staff has contributed considerable resources working with the ANU team to deliver fox baiting in the core area and buffer zone. Baiting has been very successful and the pre-release predator thresholds are generally being met in the core release area. However, high mortality of the bettongs is still possible.
Financial Implications
10. The cost of the project is being shared by the project partners, with EPD Parks and Conservation Service contributing in-kind through field staff resourcing.
11. EPD provided funding for the ARC linkage grant for the initial translocation of the Eastern Bettong in 2012. EPD is contributing $60,000 per year for three years to the current ARC linkage grant for the translocation of three species into the Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary, the first of which was the Eastern Quoll.
Directorate Consultation
12. Consultation within EPD between Conservation Research and the Parks and Conservation Service is occurring on a regular basis. The Conservator of Flora and Fauna has approved the project.
External Consultation
13. Consultation with the external project partners, ANU and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, is occurring on a regular basis. Public consultation has not been undertaken for this project.
Benefits/Sensitivities
14. The major sensitivity in this project relates to the risk of mortality to the animals involved in the trails.
15. The benefit of the project is the potential establishment of the only population of Eastern Bettong in an unfenced area on mainland Australia. This would greatly improve the conservation status of the species, and provide a release-site to transfer bettongs from Mulligans Flat and Tidbinbilla to help manage over-population at those sites. If successful, this project would also provide an operational model for other reintroductions within the ACT.
Media Implications
16. A media plan is being developed. Publicity is likely to be kept to a minimum during the initial Phase 1 release, however should the trial proceed positively, media is planned for the second Phase release in late August 2016. Media will be co-ordinated by EPD Communications, you office, ANU and the Woodland and Wetlands Trust.
Schools—positive behaviour program
(Question No 2403)
Ms Lee asked the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, upon notice, on 22 March 2019:
(1) Did the Minister say in question time on 12 February that the Positive Behaviour for Learning module is shown to be a very evidence-based program; if so, on what evidence is that program based.
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