Funding for Carnaby’s food protection project
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:07 
Shire of Moora councillor Arthur Tonkin, Moore Catchment representative Duncan Peter, Member for Moore MLA Grant Woodhams, Minister for Agriculture and Food Terry Redman, deputy chair Moore Catchment Tony White, Moore Catchment executive Helen Watlkins and National’s candidate for Moore Shane LooveTHE $45,000 State Government funding for the protection and preservation of the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo has been welcomed.
The Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo is an icon of the Moore region and this project will increase food sources for the bird and will focus on two main bird areas in the north-west corner of Moora and at Koobabbie south-east of Coorow.
During the breeding season these areas attract almost 100 pairs of cockatoos.
“The Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo has a preferred habitat of salmon gums and remnant woodland and I join with all community members in welcoming any measures to ensure the species survival,” said Nationals WA candidate for Moore, Shane Love.
“The works will include native vegetation plantings to create adequate food stocks and fencing to protect the habitat and the birds from predators.
By creating an environment enjoyed by the cockatoos, with appropriate food sources and nesting conditions, it is hoped the birds breeding will become prolific,” Mr Love said.
The funding was announced last week by Minister for Agriculture and Food and Nationals MLA, Terry Redman as part of the Government’s commitment to Natural Resource Management.
“I congratulate Minister Redman and the Department of Agriculture and Food for their recognition of the importance of maintaining our natural resources including our native fauna,” he said.
The State Government has allocated almost $12 million to community NRM projects since June 2010, with this figure set to reach $38m by 2015.
Mr Love said as well as being loved by locals the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo provided great interest to tourists visiting the region.
“I look forward to seeing the local Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo population not only survive but thrive as work begins to better cater for its continued breeding.”