The little penguin colony on Penguin Island have always held a special place in the hearts of Rockingham locals. They are an icon of Rockingham and Western Australia's natural heritage.
The welfare of our little penguins continues to be a priority for me and the Cook Labor Government. Which is why I am thrilled to share the formation of the Little Penguin Advisory Group, a diverse team of experts dedicated to safeguarding the future of WA's little penguins.
This independent group will be chaired by Luke Twomey, CEO of the WA Marine Science Institute, and comprise of scientists, marine park coordinators, and local representatives. Together, they’ll be piecing together the latest research to identify what conservation actions our little penguins need most.
This will include review of recent relevant national and international findings and initiatives, consideration of current management activities, existing and emerging pressures, and impacts to little penguin populations in WA.
The group will also identify opportunities for collaboration with external parties, including university researchers, non-government organisations, community members, local government representatives, and interstate land managers and scientists.
It will hold its first meeting in January 2025 and will report directly to Director General of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions by December 2025.
The newly formed group supports a range of efforts by the State Government to protect Penguin Island, where research shows the major factor in the decline of the island’s penguin population has been a reduction in food sources due to warming sea temperatures as a result of climate change.
These initiatives have included:
- An annual winter closure period of tourists to Penguin Island during peak breeding season;
- Installing new and improved nest boxes better suited for the warmer climate;
- Enforcement of the eight knot vessel speed restriction in the bay;
- Provision of water bowls;
- Trial of a water misting system to aid moulting penguins during the summer months;
- Weed management and rehabilitation of native vegetation;
- Not proceeding with plans to build a new discovery centre on the island, and;
- Enforcing island closures on days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 35 degrees.
WA is home to several little penguin colonies outside of Penguin island, including on Garden Island, St Alouarn Island off Cape Leeuwin, and various islands between Albany and east of Esperance.
I know how important the population of our local little penguins are to the Rockingham community. Since being elected I have been working with the Minister for Environment, DBCA, local scientists and the City of Rockingham to provide further conservation efforts for our vulnerable little penguins.
The health and welfare of the penguin population on Penguin Island is of the utmost importance to me.
I am proud of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to the little penguins, and this independent group will help guide further support measures.
