I was on an open day bus tour at WTP on Sunday , with a biologist from their
conservation team on board giving us a talk.
I raised with him the reported incident with the duck shooters the day
before and he said that technicaly they can be on the foreshore and shoot
out to sea but that they had tresspassed through the sanctuary with their
firearms, which are banned anywhere in WTP,in order to get to where they set
up to shoot.
Hopefully WTP will take up the tresspass issue with firearms with the
Police.
David Richardson
On Mon, May 4, 2009 at 7:38 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
|
