Last dance for striking spider as Perth estate moves into its home

A population of extraordinary spiders discovered in the coastal dunes north of Alkimos have had their only known habitat fenced off and partially cleared by land developers in preparation for the next stage of a new housing estate.

WAtoday revealed last year that the only known habitat of the peacock jumping spider species Maratus yanchep was just 20 metres from Peet’s Elavale estate, putting it at high risk of extinction.

The maratus yanchep.Credit: Michael Lun Photography

However, because the spider, known for its potentially deadly courtship dance, pictured above, was only discovered and described in 2022 it has not been included on state or federal threatened species lists, giving it no legal protection, according to the state government.

And further complicating the race to save the spider is the fact ministerial environmental approvals for the estate were published before the tiny spider was discovered, so there are no conditions or restrictions in place to protect it there either.

Local photographer Michael Lun, who took incredible first-of-their kind images of the spider and collected specimens to be described by scientists, said it was heartbreaking to see Peet’s estate march through the discovery site towards the coast.

“Not all of it is gone yet, but every day, more of that rare coastal habitat disappears,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a place that was once full of life now being swallowed up, bit by bit.”

Lun said it was frustrating layers of fencing around the site now made it impossible to survey the land, which was desperately needed to have the colourful spider listed and protected.

“Now I can’t do anything but sit and watch as my photos slowly dissolve into historical records,” he said.

“From the very start, it felt like we were fighting an impossible battle. The development moved so fast, and we were working with seasonal animals that are only around for two to three months of the year.”

Lun hoped it wasn’t the end for Maratus yanchep and vowed to continue searching the dunes and fighting for their survival.

Michael Lun where he found a new Peacock Spider witth the Elavale Eglinton Peet housing development behind him.Credit: Ross Swanborough

Last year a Peet spokesman said no new species were noted as part of its work in the 80-hectare Elavale estate, which once complete will comprise more than 1000 lots.

In a statement the company, a major player in developing master-planned communities in Perth, such as Movida Estate in Midvale and The Avenues within Wungong, said it took its responsibility to protect local environments seriously, and it had met all government and regulatory environmental requirements.

However, when WAtoday approached Peet this week it declined to comment further on whether it had conducted any additional flora or fauna surveys after the species was discovered or whether it would allow researchers on site to study the arachnid.

WAtoday understands that now the species has been described by scientists, to secure a threatened species listing, further data would need to be collected and presented to the state Threatened Species Committee, but that the fencing off of the area is now acting as an impediment to this process.

It is unclear if the museum has formally requested access to the site. The WA Museum has been contacted for comment.

A spokesman for new Environment Minister Matt Swinbourne said under the approved plan the proponent was required to set aside 40 hectares as conservation areas.

“Alongside conditions that require the proponent to implement a conservation area management plan, there are ways for this species to be protected if it is eventually defined as threatened under the relevant Act,” he said.

“For that to happen, the Western Australian Threatened Species Scientific Committee would need to recommend it for listing to the Minister. This has not happened.”

Greens Brad Pettitt said it was hard to imagine a more stunning example of the failure of WA’s planning and biodiversity system.

“This rare and stunningly beautiful spider is being made extinct for the ugly monoculture of sprawl,” he said.

“We have a biodiversity protection system unable and unwilling to act and a planning system enabling this destructive development.

“We can only hope the likely extinction of the spider becomes a moment in time when Perth draws a line in the sand, or sand dunes, and says enough is enough – and gets serious about stopping sprawl and replacing it with well-placed infill and density.”

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