Duck Shooting at the Western Treatment Plant

[Carl Clifford <>]

That loop hole can be closed with a stroke of the pen by the relevant  
Minister by extending the boundaries of the sanctuary. Also shooting  
out over the bay should be a no-no on public safety grounds. A 12  
gauge shotgun, with a 31/2" shell with a good charge of powder and  
large shot, is still potentially harmful at ranges of several hundred  
meters, particularly if one is shooting high; what goes up, comes down  
at 9.8m/s squared.
Carl Clifford


On 05/05/2009, at 12:38 PM,  wrote:

> The loophole, i asumme, is that they are on the foreshore, shooting
> outwards over the bay.
>
>
>
>
> "Wendy" <>
> Sent by: 
> 05/05/2009 12:34 PM
>
> To
> <>, <>
> cc
>
> Subject
> Re: [Birding-Aus] Duck Shooting at the Western Treatment Plant
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thankyou Paul for informing us of this and for your actions at the  
> time.
> I have no doubt others are following this up officially.
> I was rather alarmed and surprised by the implications that this was
> officially sanctioned, although I thought Melbourne Water, not DSE  
> were
> the
> managing body. I would also be concerned that local  Victoria Police  
> would
> not know shooting is not allowed in a Wildlife Sanctuary.
> There are signs around the adjoining  Farm saying "No Shooting"  
> surely it
> is
> the same for the WTP?!
>
> Here are some extracts from their (MW) and other websites:-
> "Waterfowl
> The Western Treatment Plant is an important refuge for waterfowl  
> during
> drought and the duck hunting season."
> Source:
> http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/sewerage/western_treatment_plant/bird_species.asp
>
>
>
> "? The Western Treatment Plant is a declared Wildlife Sanctuary.  
> Hunting,
> disturbing, capturing or destroying animals and birds is strictly
> prohibited.
>
> "? Carrying of firearms or crossbows on a Sanctuary is an offence and
> persons shooting on land used for primary production are liable for
> prosecution under the Firearms Act and forfeiture of firearms.
>
> "? Dogs, cats and other domestic pets are not permitted on site. "
> Source:
> http://www.melbournewater.net/content/library/sewerage/western_treatment_plant/bird_watching_and_fishing/bird_watching_pack/bird_conditions_and_hazards.pdf
>
>
> "There are rare birds, migratory birds, and thousands of ducks and  
> wading
> birds that use Lake Borrie and the adjacent wetland habitats. ......  
> Birds
> like the Pink Eared Duck and the Chestnut Teal come here as a safe  
> haven
> in
> the duck season. No shooting is allowed. "
> http://www.csiro.au/promos/ozadvances/Series16Wetlands.htm
>
> Wendy