Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group bolsters disease response

Purpose

To provide a structured mechanism for engagement between the Western Australian Government, through the Minister for the Environment Hon. Matthew Swinbourn MLC, and the wildlife sector during the preparedness for, response to and management of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (H5 bird flu).

The group will facilitate collaboration across the sector and provide consensus-based strategic advice to the Minister on wildlife impacts, sector priorities and opportunities to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery arrangements. Where appropriate, matters raised could be provided to the H5 bird flu Incident Management Team to inform its activities.

Role

The group will:

• facilitate two-way communication between Government and the wildlife sector;
• identify and provide consensus, strategic advice to the Minister on emerging issues, risks and priorities affecting wildlife conservation and resilience;
• build a shared understanding of sector capability, capacity and constraints;
• support alignment of sector activities with broader Government preparedness, response and recovery objectives. 

The group is advisory in nature and will not have an operational or decision-making role. Operational decisions will remain the responsibility of established emergency and incident management arrangements.

The group will seek to develop consensus positions wherever possible, where members are broadly supportive of a recommendation and can support its advancement, notwithstanding minor differences in view. Consensus does not require unanimous agreement.

Where differing views remain, these will be recorded and communicated to the Minister alongside the consensus position.

Membership

Membership will comprise representatives from each of the following:

• Wildlife Rehabilitation organisations;
• Conservation organisations/peaks;
• Australian Veterinary Association;
• Western Australian Local Government Association;
• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; and
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The group will be chaired by Mr David McFerran, who brings significant experience in environmental leadership and management in Western Australia.

Outcomes

The group will:

• strengthen partnerships between Government and the wildlife sector;
• provide a trusted mechanism for ongoing engagement and two-way communication;
• improve understanding of sector capability and capacity;
• deliver practical, consensus-based advice to support conservation and resilience of Western Australia’s wildlife. 

The group complements existing emergency management arrangements by providing a dedicated engagement and advisory forum for the wildlife sector, without duplicating operational governance.

The following organisations will be invited to nominate a representative to join the Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group:
 

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Group WA

• WA Wildlife

• Perth Wildlife Hospital

• Kanyana Wildlife

• Darling Range Wildlife Shelter

• Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre

• Mandurah Wildlife

• WA Seabird Rescue

• Healing Hands Wildlife Care

• Exmouth Wildlife Centre

• FAWNA

• Pilbara Wildlife Carers Association

• BirdLife WA 

• Seabird Conservation Network, and 

• Australian Veterinary Association.

The government sector will be represented by members from DBCA, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Western Australian Local Government Association. 

After each meeting of the group, a communique will be published on this website.