Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt
The Albanese Government is providing more than $1.5 million to the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) to help community eradicate rodents from an island in the western Torres Strait as part of preparations for a potential outbreak of H5 avian influenza (bird flu).
Invasive black rats prey on nesting birds and their eggs and compete for food on the island.
The funding will support Traditional Owners represented by the Maluilgal Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) to lead targeted eradication of black rats using drones to deploy baits across Warul Kawa (Deliverance Island) in far north Queensland.
Warul Kawa sits south of Papua New Guinea within the Ugul Malu Kawal Indigenous Protected Area. The island is a vital ecological and cultural site for Traditional Owners and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Warul Kawa is a key resting point for many migratory birds on the East Asian -Australasian Flyway, including the Pacific golden plover and iconic little tern.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said this investment in the Torres Strait will help Traditional Owners strengthen the island's resilience against H5 bird flu.
"Australia is the only continent currently free of H5 bird flu, and we're taking steps to bolster native bird populations, so they are more resilient if it arrives," Minister Watt said.
"Healthy habitats and strong populations give native species the best chance of withstanding the potential impacts of H5 bird flu. These projects will also have long lasting conservation benefits.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said these comprehensive measures are vital to protecting Australia's biodiversity.
"We're taking the threat of H5 bird flu seriously, with our ongoing efforts demonstrating the strong biosecurity capability Australia is known for.
"Strengthening our preparedness to H5 bird flu is critical - not just for our valuable agricultural industries, but for our unique natural environment and the broader community."
Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith said the funding will increase protection for the migratory birds that rely on Warul Kawa.
"Eradicating rats on Warul Kawa will help protect migratory birds from H5 bird flu as they travel between Asia and Australia, ensuring that more survive the trip while reducing the risk of the disease spreading.
"Without rats on the island, local seabirds may return and once again use Warul Kawa as a breeding site."
TSRA Chairperson, George Nona said the funding also acknowledged the environmental, cultural and geographic importance of the remote region.
"Positioned on Australia's frontline, the Torres Strait is a diverse and unique region home to some of the nation's richest environmental and cultural treasures," Mr Nona said.
"As a long-standing project partner and advocate, TSRA welcomes the broader recognition of this local-led project deeply rooted in the cultural governance and leadership of the Maluilgal RNTBC Traditional Owners."
This funding is part of the Albanese Government's broader $100 million investment to prepare for H5 bird flu.
This includes $35.9 million for environment measures, with $300,000 already supporting transboundary conservation efforts for the far eastern curlew and Christmas Island frigatebird along the East Asian - Australasian Flyway.
This investment is helping us to understand and address the illegal hunting of these birds in South-East Asia, complementing Australia's efforts to protect these threatened and critically endangered global travellers.
Strengthening protections across the flyway will help improve the species' resilience to H5 bird flu by reducing the pressure of other threats at home and abroad.
