BirdLife Tasmania warns of penguin colony damage at The Neck

THE penguin colony around The Neck at Bruny Island could suffer devastating long-term damage if upgrade works are not properly managed, says BirdLife Tasmania.

Redevelopment of the road and carpark at The Neck on Bruny Island. Picture: FRAN DAVIS

THE penguin colony at the Bruny Island Neck could suffer devastating long-term damage if capital works are not properly managed, says BirdLife Tasmania.

The Mercury this week reported that upgrades — which necessitate the closure of The Neck and the walkway until December — have wreaked havoc for residents and tourists.

Residents said that, despite numerous closure signs at the site as part of an upgrade to the carpark and a resealing of the road, visitors were climbing over flags and fences to access the popular lookout.

The Neck is home to a colony of several hundred pairs of little penguins and several thousand pairs of short-tailed shearwaters (Tasmanian muttonbirds).

BirdLife Tasmania convener Eric Woehler said uncontrolled trampling of burrows and damage to vegetation at The Neck had the potential to damage the colony there for some time.

“Any impacts or damage to burrows and the vegetation in the colony could have long-term devastating impacts on the viability of the colony,” Dr Woehler said.

“Where are the additional Parks and Wildlife staff to control the visitors who are determined to enter the closed colony?”

A Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman said a major focus of the upgrade work at The Neck was to provide dedicated infrastructure to help protect its little penguin population.

“The protection of the penguins and shearwaters at The Neck is a priority and mitigation measures are in place to reduce impacts while the work is being undertaken,” she said.

“It is concerning that some visitors have ignored measures in place to protect public and wildlife safety while the works are being undertaken.

“We are monitoring the situation, including potential wildlife and habitat impacts, and we have put in place additional measures such as fencing and signage.”