Denmark councillors make final decision on controversial Prawn Rock Channel bird sanctuary

A migratory shorebirds sanctuary will be created at Prawn Rock Channel after Shire of Denmark Council made a final decision on an issue that has divided the community. A proposed bird sanctuary was originally endorsed in the Shire’s ocean to channel upgrades concept plan which was adopted by councillors at the May 19 council meeting last year. The bird sanctuary will aim to protect shorebirds by limiting interactions between birds, dogs and other users and it will sit alongside a dog exercise area on the Wilson Inlet sand flats. The proposal attracted 123 public submissions — including comments from Denmark Dog Owners and Denmark Bird Group — of which 60 responses were in favour of the sanctuary, 56 opposed and seven neutral. Shire projects manager Damian Schwarzbach prepared a report for Tuesday’s council meeting which summarised the submissions and finalised the plan. One of the original recommendations was to remove the northern access path to provide separation between the sanctuary and off-leash dog areas. Due to feedback about mobility issues with the southern access point, officers recommended council retain the northern access path. The report also recommended moving the southern boundary of the bird sanctuary 30m north of the current temporary fence line to create a buffer zone between the protected area and the dog exercise area. During public question time on Tuesday, Denmark Bird Group’s Brad Kneebone said the group was “extremely disappointed” by the officer recommendation to “reduce the size” of the sanctuary by moving the southern boundary 30m north. “That is what we object to — the loss of that 30m stretch out of the bird sanctuary — it is not what was previously proposed,” he said. “It is in fact the area that was strategically placed to protect the red-capped plover. “That area moved 30m north would be an incredible loss to those birds that depend on the area.” Mr Kneebone said the DBG supported some of the officer recommendations. Jill Williams, also from the DBG, said she was “saddened by the lack of sensitivity and generosity towards the birds”. “The area of the sanctuary should not be reduced because the area is critically important for these birds to remain protected,” she said. “They are so fragile and vulnerable and they need a safe place.” Cr Donna Carman put forward an alternative motion to leave the southern boundary in its original proposed location to retain more of the area as a bird sanctuary and retain the northern access path. The alternative motion was seconded by Cr Donald Clarke who said creating a buffer zone would only expose more of the area to dogs. “By not moving the fence north, it at least provides a buffer from dog activity . . . and it maximises the amount of sand flat that will be available to the birds,” he said. Cr Nathan Devenport spoke against the alternative motion. He said the 30m buffer zone was a good compromise. “I am all for a bird sanctuary but I do feel that when I look at this map, I feel like the proportions are even,” he said. “The original officers recommendation was a fair and reasonable compromise.” All councillors, except for Cr Devenport, voted to support Cr Carman’s alternative motion not to move the southern boundary. Councillors also unanimously voted on the officer recommendation to align the Dog Areas Policy with the protected bird sanctuary area. Cr Jan Lewis said the bird sanctuary was the “second most divisive issue we have ever had on the agenda”. The chief executive will give public notice of the council’s decision on the Prawn Rock Channel bird sanctuary. The bird sanctuary will be in effect from July 14..