Part Immigration Reception and Processing Cen - National Recovery Plan for the Abbott’s Booby (Papasula abbotti) - Immigration Reception and Processing Centre | Zoe
The siting of the Immigration Reception and Processing Centre is adjacent to prime Abbott’s booby habitat and in an area with a high priority for rehabilitation.
Construction of the facility and road upgrade may remove nesting trees and add to the wind turbulence, caused by man-made forest openings, that causes nesting failure, although most of the buildings will be single story, which should help to minimise wind turbulence.
Every effort should be made to identify and avoid disturbance of Abbott’s Booby nests sites during any future road widening and to minimise road width, although it is noted that the IRPC design does not impact outside the existing road reserve.
At the facility itself, every effort should be made to carry out construction as far as possible from local nest sites, to minimise tree removal, and to lessen wind turbulence at nest sites downwind by careful design and placement of the centre’s structures. Construction contracts for the IRPC include the mandatory development of a site specific Environmental Management Plan and the briefing of all construction personnel prior to their commencement on site.
Wherever possible rehabilitation of the unused parts of the co-opted mining fields should proceed. The Department of Finance and Administration has already undertaken to rehabilitate the area surrounding the Centre in accordance with best practice and in consultation with Parks Australia.