Minister: listen to the scientists and protect our rare stonefly - Victorian National Parks AssociationVictorian National Parks Association

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Dear Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
CC: Secretary of Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Re: Reconsideration to make a Critical Habitat Determination for the critically endangered Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly.

In March 2023, a nomination was submitted for the protection of the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly’s critical habitat, under the reformed Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).

I am aware that a decision has been made by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) not to make a Critical Habitat Determination for the critically endangered Stonefly.

I write to emphatically request you to instruct DEECA to reconsider their decision for the reasons outlined below.

The Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly evolved over millions of years to not need its wings, and shed them for a quiet life residing along rainforest gullies and the cool and clean freshwater streams fed by snow melt around Mount Donna Buang. In summer, they drill down into the gravelly stream edges to avoid the heat and at other times of the year, they live in the rolled up pieces of tree bark.

This could explain the insect’s long lifespan - living over two years – remarkable for a small insect. It’s only known to occur in eight areas of the Yarra Ranges National Park across a mere 4km2.

Despite being protected within the park, the stonefly is listed as Critically Endangered under state threatened species laws. It has suffered astonishing declines of up to 90 per cent in the last 18 years.

I supported the decision by the Victorian Planning Minister to reject the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination proposal in most areas of the Yarra Ranges National Park, in part due to its impact on the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly and other threatened wildlife.

That decision provides a unique chance for your government to demonstrate its stated commitment to protect the 2000+ threatened species currently listed under state law.

I understand that the independent Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provided the Department with a recommendation to make a Critical Habitat Determination. I am baffled to learn that DEECA has decided to reject the advice of the independent SAC and not go ahead with the CHD.

I am incredibly disappointed, and now request you instruct DEECA to reconsider the recommendation of the SAC for the following (and more) reasons:

• A Critical Habitat Determination would give greater prominence to the conservation needs of the habitat at the site, and acknowledge that a greater response is warranted

• It would allow for a critical habitat agreement with the landowner(s) or public land manager(s), setting out (for example) roles and responsibilities; necessary actions, strategies, and targets; monitoring requirements and accountabilities

• It would enable you to make a Habitat Conservation Order (Habitat Conservation Orders are a strong power to prevent incompatible land uses and activities)

• Signalling the importance of an area can influence land managers in their decision making  and resource prioritisation

While most of the area proposed for a Critical Habitat Determination falls within a national park, and this offers some level of protection to the species habitat, I believe the acute sensitivity of the stonefly and its highly restricted habitat to ongoing threats requires a Critical Habitat Determination. Surely this would only better inform park planning and management for this animal and its habitat. It would serve to help arrest or reverse the stonefly’s decline. 
 
I urge you to instruct DEECA to reconsider its decision and make a Critical Habitat Determination for the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly, by accepting the recommendation of the SAC and the nomination of VNPA.

Yours Sincerely,

A year ago we nominated a strange and remarkable bug for ‘critical habitat determination’, one of Victoria’s never-used-before nature laws.

We called on the Environment Minister to protect the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly from extinction.

The Scientific Advisory Committee has just advised the environment department to protect this rare, threatened insect and its home.

But the department have said no, cherry picking one of the threats and ignoring the rest.

Why are they leaving the stonefly to face climate disruption, fire, water pollution and visitation alone?

It’s not good enough. We have a new minister for the environment, so let’s join together and ask him to get the toolbox out and fix this mess.

Ask your minister to respect the committee’s advice and give the stonefly the protection it needs.

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