Page 2382 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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(2) The Rabbit Management Plan outlines a three-year program including the knockdown, follow-up and maintenance phases. After this time the maintenance program will be ongoing if required. The level of intervention will be determined by the results of a program that monitors rabbit numbers. The objective is to manage rabbit numbers at a level that will not adversely impact the values of the reserve.
(3) Rabbit populations are monitored consistently across the PCS conservation estate. Targets for population control are set in priority sites. Management programs to ensure populations remain within target thresholds are designed on a site by site bass.
(4) The use of aluminium phosphine fumigation is one technique amongst several control techniques that is used as part of an integrated approach to reduce rabbit populations to target levels. The timing and sequencing of which control strategy is used is a site by site consideration and dependent on many factors. Long term monitoring across many PCS managed sites subject to rabbit control demonstrate that an integrated approach can significantly reduce rabbit populations.
(5) Like fumigation with aluminium phosphine, poisoning rabbits with pindone carrot is a technique which can be used as part of an integrated approach dependent on specific site characteristics and population density. Other techniques include 1080 poisoning, warren destruction, Biocontrol, harbour removal, habitat modification, shooting and exclusion fencing.
(6) Pindone may be carried out as part of the integrated rabbit control program on the site if deemed appropriate. Extreme care must be used when using pindone due to the risk of secondary poisoning on non-target species including predatory birds.
Health—hydrotherapy
(Question No 3199)
Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 July 2020:
(1) Leaving aside the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency, what hydrotherapy facilities have been available on the south side of Canberra since the closure of the hydrotherapy pool at The Canberra Hospital.
(2) What is the status of the Government’s public enquiries about whether there is non-government interest in establishing a new hydrotherapy pool facility on the south side.
Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The ACT Health Directorate funds Arthritis ACT to deliver 614 hydrotherapy sessions per year across a variety of Canberra locations, including the University of Canberra Hospital in Bruce. At this stage, Arthritis ACT delivers south side sessions at Aquatic Achievers in Calwell, Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin and Aqua Harmony in Kambah.
Since the closure of the public Canberra Hospital hydrotherapy pool, the ACT Government has provided further funding to Arthritis ACT for the delivery of extra sessions at Aqua Harmony to ensure continuity of service following the closure of the Canberra Hospital hydrotherapy facilities.
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