Australasian gannets are spectacular fishers, plunging into the ocean at high speed to hunt fish and squid that live near the surface. They are widely found throughout the southern and south-eastern coast of Australia and across to New Zealand, with sizeable colonies at Lawrence Rocks near Portland, and Pope’s Eye and Wedge Light in Port Phillip near Melbourne.

Dr Woehler said he knew of an example in New South Wales where oystercatcher nests were relocated, but they were moved a metre at a time, so the birds could get used to the shift.

Defence has a different view of the relocation risks. In its application, it said it expected the birds would adapt to their new location. Defence said they were exhibiting “mother-chick bond behaviour” and it did not expect the chicks would be abandoned during relocation.

If this did occur, it said the chicks would be captured and taken to the Werribee Zoo or a local wildlife carer for assessment. “Moderate” disturbance was expected when the nestling birds were captured for relocation, but any stress on their health and welfare would likely be short term, Defence said in its application.

But even with controls in place, there were “high or very high” residual risks of bird stress during handling and bagging, bird attack during handling, death of bagged birds, abandonment of young birds and chicks falling off the new nesting site, the application says.

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In a statement, a spokesperson for Defence said all reasonable steps would be taken to maximise the chances all gannet chicks would be relocated successfully. It had engaged experts to provide advice, detailed methodology and services to conduct the relocation of the chicks safely, ethically and responsibly.

Although Australasian gannets are not a threatened species, Jess Abrahams, nature campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the destruction of their habitat should always be avoided.

“We’re making a choice to destroy the habitat of this unique and special creature when it’s clearly unnecessary. They can just wait a few weeks,” he said.

As a marine species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Australasian gannets are afforded a level of protection under federal legislation and the government needs permission to relocate listed species.

Public comments on the application close on Monday 14 March.

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