Page 2611 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 21 September 2022
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Partly due to the Black Summer bushfires, this year has seen the assessment and listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of around 15 native species that are relevant to the ACT. Another eight species relevant to the ACT will be assessed under the EPBC Act soon. An important discovery in the ACT last spring was of the threatened purple copper butterfly. It was previously known to be found only in the Bathurst area, and was discovered in Namadgi National Park after the Orroral Valley fire. The ACT is now a known important location for the species and it is likely to be the only remaining, unmodified, naturally occurring habitat for the species. Its status is also being reassessed under the EPBC Act.
The State of the environment report made it clear that immediate action through innovative management and collaboration can turn things around. To combat the range of threats facing our threatened species, the ACT government currently runs over 20 threatened species programs and research projects. These are delivered by the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, working in strong collaborative partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including local Ngunnawal communities; trusts; universities; zoos; botanic gardens; state and Australian government agencies, especially in New South Wales; and community conservation organisations.
Strengthening our collaboration and partnerships is critical for delivering outcomes for threatened species. This has included ongoing investment to support catchment groups, ACT Wildlife, community projects and university research to support proactive management. The Biodiversity Conservation Forum commenced late last year to strengthen the partnership between community and government on biodiversity issues in the ACT. It is co-chaired by the ACT’s Conservator of Flora and Fauna and the Executive Director of the Conservation Council (ACT Region), with my support as Minister for the Environment.
In addressing some of the State of the environment report concerns, the ACT government is also collaborating with the commonwealth and other jurisdictions to help build the biodiversity data repository. This is designed to inform and help us improve how we plan and make environmental decisions. Developing metrics around values, threats and distributions that help track the performance of matters of national environmental significance is crucial. To facilitate this, the environmental offsets policy is being reviewed, and a strategic framework and work plan is being developed.
I am also very pleased that the ACT will soon engage with the Australian government and other states and territories to progress the national recovery plan for the koala. The ACT’s experience and knowledge of koalas through the work at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve will be of great value to this important body of work.
In 2020 the Orroral Valley bushfire severely impacted a range of species and communities. A suite of ecological recovery initiatives to mitigate the impacts of bushfires are underway, including restorative actions and research programs. Updates on these projects are communicated online. EPSDD, in collaboration with New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the University of Canberra, are undertaking research into the bushfire impacts, genetic diversity and post-fire recolonisation of burnt areas by the threatened broad-toothed rat.
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