Page 956 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 21 April 2021
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Namadgi has reopened to public once again. Those areas include Mount Tennant and the Australian Alps Walking Track, Honeysuckle Ridge including the campground, Booroomba Rocks, Orroral Valley, Nursery Swamp, the geodetic dome, the tracking station and the Bimberi wilderness area. There are some areas that we need to be careful of. As you approach in your vehicle some of the roads are still a bit loose.
The first weekend of opening saw over 600 people through the visitor centre, and carparks throughout the park were full, with the Mount Tennant walking track proving particularly popular with walkers. Many Canberrans will be heading into Namadgi for the first time since the bushfires in January 2020. They will notice that the park is still recovering, and the safety hazards I have mentioned brought about by the fires have not completely gone away. So before heading out to the park I ask they revisit our safety information and familiarise themselves with what they need to pack. They can drop into the visitor centre of course and stock up with water and nourishment and get the latest news from our friendly parks and conservation staff.
DR PATERSON: How is the government improving other parks and reserves in the ACT?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Dr Paterson for her question. We know Canberrans love living in the bush capital and expect the government to look after it as well. So work is underway on the Canberra Nature Park management plan which will guide the management of 39 parks and reserves that make up the expansive Canberra Nature Park. The government is also providing support to Parks and Conservation Service staff with upgrades for vehicle and depot radios. This will ensure that PCS staff are able to be out in the bush doing their important work and looking after our parks and reserves.
While Namadgi is once again open to the public, the job of recovery and repair is not over, and the government will continue to support this recovery work. The Parks and Conservation Service estimate recovery work will continue for at least another two years. The service is also managing feral animal control in Namadgi National Park. The need to keep feral animals such as horses, pigs and rabbits at bay will be as important as ever to aid recovery in the park and create the health and resilience that we need in that environment.
Planning—vacant shops
MR DAVIS: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, many Canberrans have raised their concerns with me about a number of vacant and seemingly abandoned shopping centres in their suburbs. Clift Crescent in Richardson and Livingston Avenue in Kambah are just two that come to mind. Minister, what is the government doing to address the growing list of vacant and seemingly abandoned suburban shopping centres?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. This is something that does not fit into just my portfolio, but I am happy to address the elements of it that fit into the area of Transport Canberra and city services. I understand, and the government understands, the importance and value that the community place on their local
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