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Conservationists fear plans for a rocket launching facility in an area deemed ‘critical’ to the survival of the endangered Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren will push the species closer to extinction.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is expected to make a decision by 4 September on Southern Launch’s plans to destroy about 24 hectares of coastal heathland at Whalers Way to build launch pads, blast walls and bunkers to fire rockets into space.
There are believed to be only about 750 of the tiny wrens left and there is an important population of the endangered subspecies at Whalers Way.
“The bulldozing of habitat, shock waves, noise pollution and potential rocket fuel fires would be a disaster for this beautiful little bird,” said Australian Conservation Foundation nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.
“The limestone coast is also an important refuge to the endangered Mallee whipbird, Australian sea lions and southern right whales. All could suffer if this project goes ahead.
“It’s because Australia’s nature laws are broken that decisions like this one are the first and last opportunity to protect habitat critical to survival for species like tiny emu-wren.
“The minister has the power to stop these destructive plans now. We urge her to act.”
When Southern Launch attempted a test launch in 2021, its rocket caught on fire.
“If this project is approved, it will propel the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren toward extinction,” said BirdLife Australia Campaigns Manager Andrew Hunter.
“Australia can’t afford to set this dangerous precedent and further erode the public’s trust in the laws that are supposed to protect Australia’s nature from destruction.
“This is exactly why we need a strong EPA, so that clearly unacceptable proposals like this one, which blatantly contradict national conservation advice, can be firmly rejected to protect our most vulnerable birds and the places they live.”
In July 2023 Minister Plibersek approved Conservation Advice that said all known sites, including Whalers Way, were ‘habitat critical to the survival’ of the subspecies.
