By Hannah Barry
The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) insists its fauna relocation plans for the Roe 8 site is being followed, despite a local wildlife group raising questions about a perceived lack of scrutiny during the licensing process.
Bibra Lake wildlife rescue service Native Arc raised concerns about the transparency of the relocation process after a Southern Brown Bandicoot was given to their vet clinic suffering severe head injuries from being struck by a car on North Lake Road, near the Roe 8 construction site.
Native Arc said the animal had unfortunately passed away from its injuries.
However, a spokesperson for the OEPA rejected claims any animals had been injured while construction was underway.
A southern brown bandicoot.Credit: Graeme Fuller
"No injured animals have been found within the work site to date. If injured animals are found, there is an arrangement with a local vet. The OEPA understands from public reports that a Bandicoot may have been injured on North Lake Road. The OEPA has contacted the author of the email to find out more detail," they said.
A spokesperson for Native Arc said any number of animals may become injured while attempting to flee the site, unless wildlife agencies were offered the ability to scrutinise the effectiveness of the relocation program.
"No one is giving any answers- we have a responsibility to the native wildlife who are currently being destroyed and displaced at an alarming rate," he said.
"There has been no public information available- including what type of traps are being used, if animals have actually been trapped, how many have been injured, where they have been relocated to, where they are being treated- to the best of our research, we haven't been able to find anything," he said.
A protester holds a sign at the Roe 8 project on Tuesday.Credit: Eileen Glynn.
According to the Roe Highway Extension Fauna Management Plan, the local Southern Brown Bandicoot population included "at least 107 individuals, with an estimated population density of 28 per hectare".
The OEPA said 17 southern brown bandicoots and one Perth Lined Skink had been trapped during the 11 night trapping program between December 8 and 19, in the 1.5 hectare site within the North Lake Road to Coolbellup Avenue area.
The majority of these animals were caught within the first three days of the program.
Native Arc said they were unable to judge the success of the program, but believed the number of animals attempting to flee the site through suburbia or crossing main roads was set to rise.
"Given the location of the site, which is bordered by two roads and suburbs- a lot of animals have nowhere to go. There will likely be an increase of animals moving on roads, and we need to prevent this by trapping them appropriately."
A spokesperson for the Department of Parks and Wildlife said Main Roads WA had been issued with a regulation 15 license in order to 'relocate fauna for education or public purposes'.
Native Arc said details of what the license allowed was not publicly available.