The Trustees of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (NSW) ABN: 46 472 591 335 Ozanam Village 2C West Street Lewisham NSW 2049 PO Box 5 Petersham NSW 2049
Press release April 30, 2010
Telephone: (02) 9560 8666 Facsimile: (02) 9550 9383
Vinnies protects its endangered bandicoots
Email: vinnies@vinnies.org.au Website: www.vinnies.org.au Donation Hotline: 13 18 12
The St Vincent de Paul Society will do all it can to protect the small population of endangered longnosed bandicoots living on its site in Lewisham, acting CEO Peter Miller said today. “We have received the findings of the flora and fauna assessment of the area that we commissioned, and we are more than happy to follow all its findings. We do not want to see the bandicoots put at any risk by our proposed landscaping,” Mr Miller said. . The Society had engaged Biosis Research Ltd to undertake a flora and fauna assessment of its DA, which had been approved by Marrickville Council in February, to demolish the existing fence and trees on West Street and to construct a new fence, driveway and landscaping. The bandicoots were tracked by infra-red camera and spotlighting. Two were seen foraging on the lawn in Thomas Street “The St Vincent de Paul Society will, of course, adopt all the recommendations in the report which include employing a trained ecologist to prepare a management plan for the site in regards to the Longnosed Bandicoot, which will cover all future landscaping activities on the site, as well as any future development,” Mr Miller said. “The Society will also immediately provide a number of alternate temporary and permanent artificial nesting and shelter sites for the bandicoots before, during and following the construction and landscaping works. These will most likely be small pieces of pipe and hollow logs”. The report noted that the Long-nosed Bandicoot is known for being extremely adaptable and tolerant of major habitat disturbance and modifications and is often recorded in urban environments. They had remained at the St Vincent de Paul site despite the recent demolition and construction of the new multistory office and the presence of cats and foxes. Other measures that will be taken to ensure their ongoing welfare will be to endeavor to control wandering cats in the areas, and, along with Marrickville Council, to install “Bandicoot Crossing signs” in the area. “Such is the affection with which these bandicoots are held, that the report found that one particular resident of our aged care facility has named two of them, which visit her regularly, Brownie and Cheeky,’ Mr Miller said.. “We are proud to do all we can to ensure their future on our grounds is secure.” For more information contact; Marion Frith, Communications Manager, St Vincent de Paul Society on 0417 446 430
Every day in NSW the Society assists thousands of people through Home Visitation, Migrant and Refugee Assistance, Hospital and Prison Visitation, Aged Care Services, Vinnies Centres, Supported Employment Services for People with an Intellectual Disability, Hostels for Homeless Men, Women and Families, Overseas Relief, Disaster Recovery, Budget Counselling and Youth Programs.