Fears for penguins under pavilion

Penguin warden Angelika Treichler near the refurbished Dressing Pavilion at Manly Cove. Picture: VIRGINIA YOUNG

Can the Dressing Pavilion and the penguins exist happily side-by-side? 
 24 Mar 10 @ 05:22pm by JOHN MORCOMBE
 
PENGUIN warden Angelika Treichler fears nearby penguin nesting sites will be adversely affected by the large number of patrons who will frequent the newly-opened restaurant in the Dressing Pavilion at the western end of Manly Cove.

Pavilion lessee John Codling said the penguins thrived during the redevelopment of the building and Ms Treichler agrees with him. But she said this was because of the efforts of the penguin wardens and the fact no building work took place at night, which is when the penguins come ashore to feed their young. “We are yet to see what will happen to this critically endangered colony when there are hundreds of patrons from the licensed venue hanging out just at the time when the penguin parents come on land to feed their chicks,” Ms Treichler said. “The lack of adequate CCTV surveillance will make it very difficult to follow up any incidents, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning, when the hard-working volunteer wardens will have gone home.”

Mr Codling said every effort will be made to ensure the colony continues to thrive. “We will do whatever we can at a management level to mitigate any potential effects on the Manly colony,” he said. “Already our management plan includes nominating a member of staff each week to become a penguin warden to make it their duty to ensure the penguins are well looked after. “We’ve also implemented measures to ensure we are good neighbours of the penguins by having dim lighting, no loud music and a no-smoking policy throughout the venue.”

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