Outcome:	1 Environment				Question No: 19
Output:  	1.2 Biodiversity
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic: 	Swamp Eyebright
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written question on notice

Senator Brown asked:
What is the status of the swamp eyebright Euphrasia gibbsiae ssp. psilantherea; what threats does this plant face and what is being done to remove these threats?

Answer/s:
Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. psilantherea is listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Key threats to the species include unauthorised off-road driving, track braiding, and the potential spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi. 

A Recovery Plan for Threatened Tasmanian Lowland Euphrasia Species, which includes this species, is currently in force under the EPBC Act.  The Australian Government has provided almost $130,000 in Natural Heritage Trust funding towards the implementation of this plan, including management of threats.  A revised and updated plan is currently being prepared for consideration for adoption under the EPBC Act.  

Outcome:	Environment				Question No: 20
Output:  	1.2 Biodiversity
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic: 	Tasmanian Threatened Species
Hansard Page ECITA:		Written question on notice

Senator Brown asked:
For each of the following species in Tasmania:  (a) Wedge-tailed eagle, (b) White goshawk, (c) swamp eyebright Euphrasia gibbsiae ssp. psilantherea, (d) broad-toothed stag beetle Lissotes latidens, (e) giant freshwater crayfish Astacopsis gouldi, (f)  Mt Arthur burrowing crayfish Engaeus orramakunna, (g) Swift parrot Lathamus discolour –
a) What are the main threats to the species?
b) Is a recovery plan in force?  If so, has its implementation been audited?  Please provide copies of audit reports in each case.
c) What action has the government taken since 1996 to enhance its safety or protection and how much money has been spent or committed on which specific projects or actions?

Answer/s:
(a) The main threats to the Wedge-tailed Eagle are destruction of nesting habitat, declining breeding as a result of disturbance in nesting areas, and illegal poisoning and shooting.  A recovery plan is currently in force under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).  The plan has not been audited but is currently being revised and updated and will include the results of the implementation of the current recovery plan.  Under the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government provided $171,000 towards implementation of actions in the recovery plan, including protection of nesting habitat on private land and State Forest, establishment of management agreements, and monitoring of breeding success and abundance.

(b) The White Goshawk is not listed as threatened under the EPBC Act.

(c) Refer to separate answer on this species (Question No. 19).

(d) The main threats to the Broad-toothed Stag Beetle are habitat loss, inappropriate fire regimes, removal of logs including for firewood, and illegal insect collection.  A recovery plan is currently in preparation.

(e) The main threats to the Giant Freshwater Crayfish are large-scale habitat disturbance for agricultural, urban and forestry land use, combined with the effects of past and current (illegal) fishing pressure.  A recovery plan is currently in preparation.  Under the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government provided $188,500 towards implementation of actions in the draft recovery plan, including habitat assessment and protection, species monitoring and surveys, and community awareness to reduce illegal fishing.

(f) The main threats to the Mt Arthur Burrowing Crayfish include urban and industrial pollution, agricultural and forestry activity, long term fire effects, clearance and removal of native vegetation, sedimentation, and waterway disturbance or alteration of drainages.  A recovery plan is currently in force.  The plan has not been audited.  Under the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government provided $169,000 towards implementation of actions in the recovery plan, including establishment of management agreements, habitat fencing and weed control, water quality monitoring and management of soil erosion.

(g) The main threats to the Swift Parrot in Tasmania include loss of breeding habitat through agricultural and residential development, firewood collection, competition for nest hollows from introduced species, and mortality through collisions with windows, fences and vehicles.  A recovery plan is currently in force.  The plan has not been audited.  The Australian Government has provided almost $800,000 towards implementation of the recovery plan across the species full range, including habitat protection and management, enhancement of known foraging sites, public awareness and population surveys.

In addition to the funding described above, the Australian Government has provided over $822,000 since the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust for threatened species projects in Tasmania.  These projects will implement recovery actions for a range of nationally threatened species, including those listed above.