2020
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About the document
The Eastern Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides is currently listed as Vulnerable under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It is restricted to a single population occurring in inland south-eastern Australia in the Lower Murray-Darling Basin region of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Riverine and floodplain habitats are known to be critical in supporting the breeding and foraging requirements of regent parrots.
The Maximising Water Delivery for Regent Parrot Outcomes - Water for the Environment Program document was developed to provide guidance to environmental water holders and managers on how water for the environment can best be used to achieve regent parrot outcomes. The report is specific to South Australia but broadly applicable throughout the distribution of Regent Parrots in the Lower Murray Darling Basin.
The report brings together the latest information on regent parrots, and detailed methods and approaches to identify critical habitats – including those that can be managed with water for the environment. It also provides guidance and principles on how water for the environment should be managed for regent parrot outcomes.
The report identified over 80 critical habitat sites for regent parrot in south Australia. Forty-three of these sites (19 existing water for environment sites and 24 new sites) were identified as sites where water for the environment can be used to improve outcomes for regent parrots. Management briefs have been prepared for these sites which include site vegetation and hydrological description, ecological and community objectives and preliminary findings into hydrological options and potential infrastructure. These briefs provide a basis for further work at these sites including cultural assessments and landholder consultation.
The results of this project indicate that much more can be done for Regent Parrots in South Australia and that environmental water can play a significant role in improving their habitat.