Photo by Chris Tzaros/Birds Australia in an article at ABC Rural “Habitat project could save rare parrot”

“The endangered orange-bellied parrot is back in the spotlight, this time playing a part in the future of the $3 billion Wonthaggi desalination plant. Fresh from its central role in the Gippsland wind farm debacle, the parrot has been named on a list of plants and animals that could hold up the massive project. The list also includes the giant Gippsland earthworm, hooded plover, glossy grass skink, southern brown bandicoot and the growling grass frog. Unique to a small part of South Gippsland, the giant earthworm — which grows up to 2m — is listed as a vulnerable species under Commonwealth law.

Growling grass frogs were a major stumbling block for the Craigieburn bypass and VicRoads spent $250,000 on fences to protect them along the Pakenham bypass. The State Government released details of the planned environmental effects study on the desalination plant in January. Planning Minister Justin Madden said preliminary studies had shown the need for further investigation of the impact on animals, plants and the landscape. Experts will attempt to predict the potential effects of the desalination plant on various animal species during construction and operation. This could be either through direct disturbance or dust, noise, increased human presence, habitat change or disease.

The study will consider the economic impact of the desalination plant, but not on individual businesses. “Financial implications of the project, such as influences on specific business enterprises or compensation, will not need to be assessed as part of the EES,” the report said. Despite continued public opposition, work is scheduled to begin on the desalination plant this year and desalinated water should flow to Melbourne by 2011.” Article from http://ricchione.de/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=88